Gentry
Gentry’s heart was pounding so hard, it felt like there was a bird trapped in the cage of her ribs, fluttering to escape. She could hear her heart racing, her blood rushing in her own ears. She wondered if her beating heart was visible through the thin, clingy fabric of her little black dress. She bit her lip as she glanced down at her chest and noticed her nipples poking perky and erect underneath the black fabric. Her full breasts rose and fell with her deep, excited breaths, making her cleavage even more eye-catching. She felt a single bead of sweat roll down her spine. Her long, shapely legs felt a little wobbly as Linc and Seth led her away from Ricky. Her skin was tingling all over, especially in the spots where their bodies brushed against hers.
Her thoughts were going haywire, all the electrical impulses firing like crazy. She was overwhelmed in the most wonderful way. It was odd; she was used to attention. After all, she was a pretty girl with a contagious smile. People were naturally drawn to her positive, warm energy. Guys hit on her all the time when she was out in public alone. Added to her beauty was her undeniable talent, and that made her one very attention-grabbing full package. But there was just something different about this situation. She was flanked on either side by two extremely handsome, charming men escorting her out of the backstage area. As they approached the side door exit that led out into the blues lounge, Gentry felt the heat rising in her rosy cheeks. Seth’s lean, wiry, athletic body was to the left of her, and Linc’s bulky brawler’s body covered her right. Every time one of their powerful biceps or strong forearms brushed against her side, Gentry felt a rush of fuzzy endorphins simmering in her veins.
Linc held open the door and Seth ushered her through with an exaggerated flourish that made her smile. Gentry stepped through the doorway and into the lounge. Up on the stage, the red curtain was still down as the next act set up backstage. In the lounge, the audience was humming with conversation, laughter, and movement. To Gentry’s surprise, there was a fairly large portion of the crowd heading toward the exit. Maybe they were all just taking a little break to stretch their legs before sitting down for the next performance. Or maybe they had all come here tonight to see Gentry perform, and now they were leaving, having gotten what they wanted. Gentry was humble, though, and she couldn’t wrap her head around that idea.
Seth and Linc were quick to notice, too, however.
“Looks like a lot of folks came here just to see you,” Seth murmured to her, his lips mere millimeters from her ear. Gentry felt his warm breath on her neck and it gave her goosebumps.
“Oh, I don’t know,” she replied, flustered.
Linc turned to her with a beatific smile. “Trust me, I don’t need to hear any of the other acts to know yours is the main attraction,” he said softly.
“You guys are too kind,” she said.
“Let’s just see if we can get you out of this room without being attacked by paparazzi or a queue for autographs,” Seth joked.
She giggled at his exaggeration of her fame, but at the same time, she couldn’t help but notice the number of intense stares they were getting. Even though most people were too absorbed in their own night out to pay attention, a ton of others were ogling Gentry and the guys. Not just because they were excited to see Gentry Hays off the stage and in the flesh, but because she was flanked by two strikingly hot men. Women looked at her with awe and envy. Men looked at her with lust, and admiration for Linc and Seth. She couldn’t figure out who was the arm and who was the candy. Either way, tonight was shaping up to be delicious.
Seth’s hand on her arm, Linc’s fingertips on the small of her back—it was all enough to make her feel dizzy. As they walked out of the blues lounge into the grand foyer, even more pairs of eyes landed on them. Gentry was proud to have them at her sides. She felt more powerful with them than ever before; she was safe with the guys. She could do anything.
“Where are you boys taking me?” Gentry asked.
“Not far,” Linc replied. “Somewhere you can sit and relax while we chat.”
“Chat? Is this police business?” she questioned pointedly.
Seth smirked as he steered her into the cop bar. “This whole bar is police business,” he replied with a chuckle.
Gentry was confused for a moment, but it made perfect sense when they walked into the bar and approximately ten different men looked over and started grinning and waving at the guys. They were all tall, well-built men with short haircuts and casual civilian clothes, but even in their t-shirts and jeans, it was obvious they were all off-duty cops. Linc and Seth waved back and greeted the group of friendly, slightly rowdy guys who came shuffling over with drinks in their hands, some abandoning their pool table to come say hello. Immediately, Gentry could tell how respected and well-liked the guys were. Seth laughed and high-fived people, fitting in with their boyish jokes. Linc was regarded with the same friendly reverence one might show a beloved older brother, the kind of guy who you could count on for anything, who would always back you up.
“Seth, you finally managed to get Linc out of the office for a night?” one of the other cops joked. “I was startin’ to think he lived there.”
“I’m not convinced there’s not a cot in a supply room somewhere you’ve been sleeping on,” added another guy, with a nudge to Linc’s arm.
Linc joked back, “Someone’s got to hold down the fort while you guys sip your cosmos and lose at pool.”
“Hey, Scotty and I are kickin’ ass tonight,” said the first guy.
“Stripes and solids, bro! You two want in? And what about this fine young lady?” asked the one called Scotty. He gave her a look up and down, a look that did not go unnoticed by Linc and Seth. Each of them slid an arm around her shoulders, keeping her safe between them.
“Hey, wait a second. Aren’t you the lady who was just singing in there?” one pointed out.
Gentry nodded and smiled, blushing. “That’s me.”
The guys rushed in closer and loomed over her like a forest of tall trees. They fired off questions and comments and compliments and half-flirty jokes so quickly, she was overwhelmed. But Linc quickly held up one big, strong hand to quiet them.
“It’s been good to see you guys, but we’re looking for a little more privacy,” Lincoln told them. And when they all opened their mouths to say something dirty, he fixed them with a meaningful glare.
“I know just the thing,” Seth said, breaking over to the bar counter. Danielle, the pretty brunette bartender, was a new-ish friend of Gentry’s. The girls waved and smiled at each other over Seth’s shoulder. He spoke to Danielle, and the bartender handed him a bottle of champagne. Seth turned to beckon to Linc and Gentry as Danielle led them to the room at the back of the bar.
“Private room, party of three,” Danielle said with a smile. She gave Gentry an excited look before she walked away, a look which clearly said, ‘Tell me everything later’.
As the door closed behind them, Gentry felt electric all over. Though they could hear the muffled music playing in the bar and the hum of the bass under their feet, this was the first time they were alone together. No Ricky, no lingering crowds. Just Gentry and the two men who starred in her recent, passionate sex dream. She still caught flashes of that dream as she sat down on the sofa between them. Her heart was racing. She felt warm and wet between her thighs. She reminded herself this was not a date, probably more like an interview. She had to control herself.
“Wow. I’ve never been in here before,” Gentry said innocently.