Carlisle chuckled and shook his head. “I wish I had the energy for that. She looks like a fireball. Tell me, what’s her natural hair color?”
Finn stared back at him. Did he know Gretchen was in disguise? Of course, he did. Most of the dancers wore wigs or makeup to hide who they were in their real lives, though Gretchen was the only one Carlisle would have killed for the deception.
Carlisle laughed. “The carpet, son. Did it match the drapes?”
Finn swallowed back the curse bubbling in his throat as he pictured the soft, light-brown curls between Gretchen’s thighs and the way they’d tickled his mouth.
“Couldn’t tell you,” he lied, “she must have a great waxer.”
Carlisle guffawed and slapped the table with his large, fat hand. “Not in my day,” he roared. “In my day, they were called bushes for a reason, you know, but I like that bare look too, it’s so . . . virginal.”
Before Finn had to come up with a suitable reply, the music changed and the DJ announced Lilah’s appearance. Finn’s entire body tensed. This would be the first time he saw Gretchen dance, knowing who she really was. Cheers exploded from the men around him. Clearly they’d seen her and were eager for more. He clenched his jaw, and under the table, his fist was so tight his fingers ached. She shouldn’t be here. He’d walked away from her, denied both of them the pleasure they could find with each other to keep her from this world. Who the hell had thought putting Gretchen Christensen, heir to a fucking hotel fortune, raised in wealth and educated in a damn boarding school, on a pole was a good idea? When he found the bastard, he was going to—
A black stiletto appeared through the parted curtain and all thoughts ceased. Finn told himself not to look up. He didn’t need to watch her dance, but he couldn’t stop himself. His gaze drifted up the sheer black thigh-high stockings that made her legs look even more arousing for the small barrier they would provide from his touch. He stopped at the lace circling her thighs and swallowed, steadying his breaths so he wouldn’t stomp onto the stage and rip her off it.
His attention snagged on the black lace of her boy shorts, and when she turned, he got a full view of her tight ass cheeks peeking out the bottom. She stretched out an arm, and he looked up, past the black lace bra pushing up her already enticing breasts and met her eyes. Her plump lips curved slowly as she took hold of the pole and wrapped her leg around it before she swung in a circle and held herself up, opening her legs in a split as she hung upside down. For the four minutes her song played, he couldn’t look anywhere but at her.
When the music ended, and she slid slowly down the pole, his dick was hard as granite. She disappeared through the curtain with a sultry smile covering her face. She would be the death of him, and any man who dared to touch her.
“She’s exceptional,” Carlisle acknowledged when the stage lights died, and the dance floor filled. “I’m sure her talents could be used in other areas.”
Hell no.
“She’s off limits.” Finn forced his voice to remain calm, though he felt anything but.
“Now, Jay,” Carlisle chastised.
“Don’t.” Finn sat back and sipped his drink. “I don’t ask for much, but it’s been a while since I’ve had steady pussy in my bed, and for now, I plan to have hers.” He glared at the other man. “I won’t tolerate any of your limp-dicked flunkies touching what’s mine.”
Carlisle laughed and lit his cigar. “You know that only makes her more appealing, don’t you?”
“When I’m finished with her you can sell her to the highest bidder,” Finn lied smoothly. “Until then, hands off. Understood?”
Carlisle nodded and blew the smoke of his cigar at the ceiling. “You have my word.” He saluted with his cigar.
Finn lifted his chin. Carlisle’s word didn’t mean shit.
~ ~ ~
Gretchen stepped from behind the stage, scanning the room as she sashayed to the bar, still reeling from her dance. Her adrenaline pumped, her nipples hard and sensitive. She stopped when Finn looked up and caught her eye, motioning her over with a jerk of his head. Her mouth stretched into a grin as she went to him.
“Hello, Lilah.”
Her smile faltered slightly at Carlisle’s greeting, but she bent so he got an excellent view of her cleavage in the tight black dress she’d pulled on over her lingerie. She planted a kiss on his gelatinous cheek.
“That was quite a performance,” he praised when she pulled away. “Jay was sharing with me how talented you are.”
She ignored the sudden pinch in her stomach at the thought of Finn talking about her like a cheap conquest and instead forced a smile. “I hope he’s not giving away all my secrets.” Finn held out a hand and she went to his side.
Carlisle chuckled and openly admired her as she stood by the table. Finn’s hand ran possessively up her thigh from her smooth stockings to the bare skin under her dress. The immediate warmth between her thighs sent a visible shiver through her.
“Damn sure wish I had the energy to find out your secrets myself.” Carlisle hoisted himself up from the table and waddled away.
Gretchen turned to Finn as his calloused hand reached her ass. “Is that part of the show?” She inclined her head toward his hand. “Or can you really not keep your hands off me?”
Finn slid his hand from under her dress and grabbed her hip, pulling her to his lap. The thick ridge of his shaft pressed against her ass as she settled on top of him.
“Is that real enough for you?” He moved his lips up her neck to the line of her jaw.