Unusual Setting for Romance- Arisa goes to a strip club and finds a blue eyed man that catches her eye.

It was Jo's bachelorette party. Anna, Ruby, Ellen, Madison and I were her companions as we walked into a strip club.

"Come on, do we have to come here," I complained. I always felt uncomfortable around guys who stripped.

"Come on Arisa, it's my party," Jo cried as we sat down in our private section. I rolled my eyes as the small stage we were sitting in front of lit up. A man in a priest outfit walked on. Jo whistled. The man had messy black hair and dark blue eyes. He held a bible in his left hand. He smiled and winked at her. She blushed. He began to dance and I couldn't help but watch him. He was handsome and didn't move obnoxiously like the other guys. He had a certain grace about him. He finally pulled off his top and all the other girls wolf whistled. I chuckled taking a drink of my beer. He tossed his shirt into Jo's hands who laughed and waved it around. She was drunk. Looking around I realized that I was the only one not drunk. Ruby and Anna were already down for the count. They were both light weights. Ellen had left to go to the bathroom and hadn't come back yet. I think she left. Maddy and Jo were nearly to the point of dropping and I groaned. I didn't like the idea of carrying them all out to the car. Jo whooped one more time then fell into me. I was shoved into the seat by her dead weight where I tumbled off banging my head against the metal pole that held the table up. I came out cursing. I rubbed the lump I could feel.

"Stupid drunk person," I muttered. A glass of ice appeared by my elbow. I turned to meet the stripper. My mouth went dry.

"Hi," he greeted with an easy smile.

"Hi," I replied taking the glass. I pressed the cold to my head and bit my lip as I stared at the four unconscious girls left in my care.

"Do you need help?" the man asked pulling the black shirt back on. I was thankful because he had drool worthy muscles.

"Yes please," I replied with a pitiful smile. He laughed and picked up Jo.

Once we had all the girls safely in the car I turned back to him.

"Do you need me to follow and help you when you get them home?" he asked kindly.

"No, my brothers will help me," I replied. He nodded and I stood awkwardly.

"Well thank you," I said shaking his hand.

"You're welcome," he said with a shrug. Suddenly her presented a card to me. As he did so he pulled on my hand until his lips were by my ear.

"In case you want a private show," he breathed slipping the card into my hand. My breath caught. He pulled back with a gleam in his eyes. He winked and vanished into the club. I took a moment to restart my heart then went home. I fell asleep with dancing blue eyes in my dreams.

Over the next few days I forced myself to stop thinking about the man which failed miserably. I ended up waking up sweaty and panting from a dream about him every night.

I was getting ice cream when Jo found the card that I now used as my bookmark.

"Who is Castiel?" she called. I nearly dropped my ice cream and my face burned.

"Who is he?" she asked coming inside.

"The stripper," I mumbled.

"Oh my god! He gave you his card! You have to call him," she cried.

"No!" I replied. Too late, she was dialing. I lunged for the phone but she danced out of reach. I tackled her and grabbed my phone.

"Hello," greeted a rough yet velvet voice.

"Um hi," I replied. There was a moment of silence.

"Who is this?" he asked. I shot Jo a death look.

"This is Arisa. We met three nights ago at the club where you work. You helped me carry those drunken idiots I call friends to my car," I said. Jo shot me a disproving look.

"Oh, it's a pleasure to hear from you," he replied his voice going all deep a husky. I felt my legs tremble and quickly sat down.

"Yeah," I said weakly. Jo rolled her eyes and snatched the phone from my hand.

"What my friend is trying to say is that she's been having dreams about you and wants to have hot steamy sex with you," she said matter of factly. If looks could kill she would be roasted alive. She pressed the speaker on and I buried my face in my hands.

"Well that is flattering," he said with an amused tone, "Tell her to come to the club tonight and maybe we could make that happen." Jo shot me a triumphant look.

"Will do, thank you," she said sweetly before hanging up. I punched her in the arm.

"I hate you," I hissed.

"I love you to," she replied.

That night I arrived at the club nervously smoothing down the dress that Jo had forced me into. I looked around and saw Castiel sitting in a booth. He was wearing normal clothes and looked lazy, powerful and oh so sexy. I walked over to him and slipped into the booth.

"Hello," he greeted giving me a lingering look that had me blushing.

"Look I just want to apologize for my friend," I told him. He arched an eyebrow.

"So you haven't been dreaming about me?" he asked. I blushed unable to lie well enough. He chuckled and leaned across the table.

"Come with me," he whispered. I shuddered as heat smashed through me. I took his hand and followed him to a back door. We went up some stairs and he pushed open a door to an apartment.

"You live above the club?" I asked.

"Yes," he replied his voice clipped from the question. Curiosity peaked inside of me but I kept my mouth shut. He pulled me into his bedroom and shut the door. When he turned around the gleam was in his eyes and I shivered in anticipation. He moved towards me slowly, gracefully, predatory. His hands ran up my arms and I melted into his hot touch. He leaned down and…jerked away. He was panting and his fists were clenched.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," he bit out. I rested a hand gently on his back. The muscles were tight and knotted.

"Tell me," I implored, "I'm a stranger. I won't tell anyone." There was silence for a long moment. I began to rub his back.

"I was sold here by my mother," he blurted suddenly. My hand stilled on his back as horror washed over me. Before I could say anything he continued.

"She was deep in debt and so she sold me. Apparently I fetched a good price. Sicko freaks really like twelve year olds. When I first got here I was put on the sex list." The horror that was filling me burst and I began to cry. He turned and alarm filled his eyes.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"That's horrible," I whispered. I couldn't help myself from wrapping my arms around him comfortingly. He was surprised and I almost pushed back. Instead his arms came around me and his head fell against my shoulder. I stroked his hair and neck like I used to do for my little brothers when they had nightmares.

"Shh, shh," I whispered when I felt his body shaking. After a long time he pulled back. His eyes were puffy and red and my shirt was soaked.

"Stay here," I told him gently. He nodded and I went downstairs.

"I'd like to speak to the manager," I told a woman. She nodded and went to go get him. A few minutes alter he came back.

"How much did you buy Castiel Novak for?" I asked without preamble.

"One grand," the man replied easily. I looked through my purse and thought it was funny that I had received two grand today and had been planning on putting it in the bank.

"This is two thousand dollars. I'm buying Castiel," I said handing him the money and going back upstairs.

"Pack your things," I told him. The anger that now replaced the horror was making me see red.

"What?" he asked. Confusion was written all over his face.

"I just freed you. You're coming to live with me until you get on your feet," I said. Understanding bloomed in his eyes followed by joy. He ran around gathering his things quickly. He didn't have a lot. We left and I took him to my house. The happiness that shone in his eyes made the anger lift.

Six months later

"Arisa," Castiel said. I turned and gasped. Castiel was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.

"What are you doing?" I asked secretly admiring the toned muscles in his chest. He stepped towards me. He seemed shy and uncertain.

"I wanted to try," he said softly. My face softened and I gazed at him tenderly.

"Ok," I told him. I took his hand and led him to my room. I shut the door and waited for him. I would let him take charge. He took a deep breath and walked over to me. He slid his fingers under the hem of my shirt and lifted. I raised my arms and he pulled off my shirt. His eyes traced my body and I smiled at his uncertainty.

"We don't have to do this Cas," I told him. Over the months we had developed a relationship. It was largely non physical and I was ok with that.

"I don't want you to get bored with me," he said stubbornly working on my pants.

"Wait, you think I'm going to get bored with you because we don have sex?" I asked as he slid my pants down. He didn't say anything but his ears turned red. I pulled him up and stared at him.

"I love you Castiel. Not because of the sex or the kisses or the touching. I love you because you're beautiful inside and out. You're strong and brave and the most amazing guy I have ever met," I told him. He smiled and leaned down to kiss me.

"Thank you," he whispered.