SIX
'You thought our date should end at a strip club?" I gasp turning to look at him.
Edward rolls his eyes standing, pulling me up along with him.
'You think I'd come to my sister's strip club,' he laughs incredulously.
"No I…" I begin.
"Just watch, Bella," he kisses my temple as he pulls me to the balcony edge.
As we lean against the railing his arm wraps around my waist holding me to him. The curtain on the stage lifts and a blonde woman in a police officer costume stands in a sensual pose. Her stomach is exposed and she wears lingerie I wouldn't dare dream of trying. Her thigh-high boots and bright red lip could turn even a nun on.
"Serious. If this is a strip club," I mutter.
"It's not," he leans into my face, "That is Emmett's ex. If you listen closely you'll hear the will power of a grown man deteriorate."
"She's stunning," I look back at Emmett.
Surely enough he sits on his phone, grumbling profanities to himself. I would too if that was my ex. She's simply divine. Her blonde hair bounces as she steps, her figure would be envied by any Victoria Secret model and her smile was enough to bring down every man in the room. Hopefully, that excludes the one standing beside me.
When she begins to move the room is captivated. She dances like it's just her and not a room full of drunk people. The crowd catcalls at the wild woman – not just the men too. Women throw her cash, squeal and clap along as she performs the most intriguing burlesque routine I'd ever seen. She's sexy - without giving it all away. She doesn't remove items of clothing, because what isn't covered is enough for the imagination to fill in.
"Jesus," I gasp as she slams down into the splits, twerking her body before a group of women on a hens night.
"She's just showing off," Edward rolls his eyes.
"She's amazing," I shake my head in awe, "They're in the palm of her hand. I'm in the palm of her hand."
"Lucky Rose," Edward squeezes my waist playfully.
Laughing I lean into his body a little more, enjoying his proximity.
"I can't believe you let that go," I turn to Emmett.
"Where did you find her? Like did you need to go find back up? Was your bullshit not enough, Edward," Emmett glares at Edward.
"You say that like it's difficult to find someone who agrees with me," Edward says, "Alice agrees with me."
"Alice is her best friend, of course, she agrees," Emmett growls, "it's bad enough you both gang up on me. Your brother. I was the one who taught you to ride your fucking bike."
"No, you shoved me off it," Edward rolls his eyes, "Dad taught me."
Before Emmett can shove Edward right off this balcony I intervene.
"Why don't you go see her after she finishes work. Go get coffee or something and just talk it out. Show her you're serious about committing to her and want to try again. Grovel a little," I suggest.
"You think it's that easy?" Emmett stands glaring at the stage.
"Yes," Edward and I say in unison.
"Why can't you date women who agree with me," Emmett starts toward the door.
As Edward begins to respond I jump in.
"They don't exist, Emmett," I call after him.
I think I make it worse. He storms out of the room, slamming the door so hard the room rattles slightly.
"Sorry," I say to Edward, "I couldn't hold my tongue."
"Are you kidding? That was the sexiest thing I've seen you do so far. Besides bite your lip and that kiss of course," he pulls me closer to his chest, "No one, besides Alice and I stand up to him like that. Not even our parents. He's the kid who gets away with everything."
Rosalie's voice comes over the mic.
"I'm Officer R. Now here are the house rules. No touching unless asked, too much alcohol and you'll be shown the door and by no means are you allowed to stop making noise for our ladies," she says, "You don't have the right to remain silent in here."
The seats at the tables around the stage are basically vacant. Everyone stands cheering. People at the bar laughing with excitement, a small crowd has gathered around the edge of the stage. It's like a Cher concert.
"Our women are empowered and gorgeous. They'll entertain, leave you wanting more. So, sit back, enjoy," Rose smiles, "give a warm welcome to my sexy friend, Jessica."
The crowd do exactly that. Edward takes my hand pulling me back towards the lounges as the roar dies behind the music. He sits me close into his side, his arm around me again, studying my face to try to make sense of my reaction.
"So it's kinda like stripping," I say.
"It's a factor, but Alice and Rose don't. Only the girls that feel comfortable strip and never on the stage. It's more intimate, classy and it's honestly expensive. I wouldn't come here for strippers. It's overpriced," he smirks at me, "We get bachelor parties that order private rooms where the dancers serve them. However, it's always controlled. If the women feel uncomfortable or the men get too grabby, they're out. Customers know that."
I nod in understanding letting him continue.
"It's a place for women to own their sexual side, but on their own terms. Alice has employed women of all shapes, sizes, diversities and I'm really proud of her work here. At first, this was just a nightclub Emmett and I chucked money at after opening our first bar," he explains drawing lazy patterns on my shoulder with his fingers, "now, they have dress-up nights – Halloween is so fun. They dance on the bar top most nights, but they also put on burlesque-style shows with a modern take once every month. Comedy acts, stripteases, dancing. They even get the crowd up on the tabletops to dance some nights. The girls love it here and all of the workers have become a little family."
"It's like Coyote Ugly and Burlesque had a baby," I glance back at the stage.
The dancer, Jessica, wears suspenders and a sequined bra. She's on her knees at the edge of the stage dancing with a group of women, swaying her body to the music. She looks like she's enjoying herself, laughing along with the crowd.
"Can you dance?" Edward asks.
"I took some classes growing up. I actually did a pole dancing class with a friend," I laugh, "it's great for fitness. But I don't know if I could do this. I don't know if I even have the body confidence."
"Alice could teach you. And even if you don't want to dance you can just tend the bar," he says, "no one will make you do anything your uncomfortable with. You definitely should have the body confidence - you're stunning. I actually think there is a pole somewhere around here."
I laugh smacking his chest.
"You can't just drop that you know how to pole dance. I'm a weak man, Bella," he grabs his chest feigning hurt.
"I might show you someday," I say, "a friendly little show."
"Fuck friends," he groans flinging his head back into the couch.
Laughing I grab his hand in mine.
"This has been some date," I say, "Possibly the nicest date I've been on, honestly. I don't think I can express how much I needed this."
"I have a clue," he nods facing me properly again, "I'm happy I could take your mind away from it. You deserve to smile at the start of such an adventure in a new city."
"You've done an excellent job at making that happen," I place my hand on his thigh, "in fact I think you're an expert distraction."
"Is that so?" His eyes flicker to my hand.
Gently I rub trace a tantalising circle with my index finger on his inner thigh. His eyebrows knit together, watching my hand like a hawk.
"Yep," I say, "so incredibly sweet of you, Edward."
He lets out a shaky breath. I can't believe the impact I'm responsible for. I'm bringing this incredible man to his knees.
"Angel," he looks up into my eyes, "who do you think you're teasing right now?"
"Teasing? I'd never..." I shake my head with my best-confused expression.
"You don't want to play this game with me. I'll win," his words come out like a sensual growl, his hand over mine on his thigh, stopping my finger from completing any more circles.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Edward," I shake my head smiling, "I'm just being friendly."
An evil smirk crosses his face and I instantly regret my decisions. He pushes me back, so he's pushing me deeper into the lounge. His strong torso covers my own as he leans over my body. We're not lying down, but we're not completely upright. His mouth moves to connect with my neck, placing small, open mouth kisses down to my collar bone. I bite my lip, fighting to contain moans and breathy gasps. One of his hands grips my thigh, squeezing the skin there. His other hand cups my jaw holding my face in place while his lips attack.
"If you use the word friend or friendly or anything to the capacity again, I'll show you just how friendly I can be, baby," he growls out, as his teeth playfully nip the skin on my collar bone.
"My God," I gasp out.
"He won't help you, now. Sorry" He leans his head up again.
The smile he flashes me is the kind of evil every girl wants in their bedroom. Then that devilish smirk crashes down to connect with my own greedy lips. He kisses me fiercely. The flirtation and sexual chemistry between us finally coming to tipping point. I feel no shame at squeezing my thighs tightly together as he slips his tongue into my mouth. I grip his arms, clinging on for dear life, enjoying every second of this breathtaking makeout session.
When he pulls back his breath is heavy. His eyes are dark, filled with lust for me.
"I need to get you home, right now. I really want to be respectful, to take this slow and do it right," he shakes his head turning to grab my coat.
As we walk toward the exit, I hold his hand, rendered completely speechless.
When he left on Friday night, he'd insisted on taking my number. Right after another intense make-out session against my front door, might I add. It took all I had not to drag him by his collar into my bedroom. He'd made my knees week, my stomach drop in the hall of my apartment building with the chance of anyone walking past.
Since that night he's barely stopped texting me. All weekend we flirted, chat and teased. I'd traded a few messages with Zane in between who was still in peril but doing better. My father had been quiet but had dropped in a few text messages to ask if I'm okay. The media in Australia had been relentless as he grappled with finding money for us and evidence of foul play. I spent the weekend numbing it all with preparation for classes.
I even youtubed burlesque tutorials. My idiot ass changed into some old lingerie and decided to turn the lounge room into my own nightclub. I have no clue if I was doing it right, but something about it made me feel sexy. I understood why the girls did it. I just wish I had more grace, more poise.
When Monday rolls around I'm scrolling through burlesque dancers on Pinterest as Alice seats herself before me. I'm so interested in my phone I don't even notice her until she's huffing into a menu.
"Sorry, what was that?" I ask putting my phone down.
"This city is fucked," she says matter-of-factly, "My taxi driver just took the longest way here and expected me to pay the extra for it. I told him he could suck my dick."
"Never had an interview for a job start like this," I laugh.
"Technically you're interviewing me. To be your roommate," she places her menu down shrugging, "I'm clean, I don't bring home strays. Oh and I can bake cookies. I'm kind of seeing Rosalie's brother, Jasper, but we can do anything we need to do at his place. It's only been two months so I can't exactly spring moving in with him yet. Plus Emmett would flip if he knew I spent most nights at his ex's place."
"Fair enough. I like cookies though," I nod smiling, "But, I really thought this was a job interview?"
"Oh, you don't need to do that," she waves me off, "I liked you the second you walked in the office. It's yours if you want it. I have amazing intuition. I don't need to interview you."
I sit back in my share taken back. Who were these people?
"So, you're just going to give it to me like that. You've not even asked if I can dance or can pour drinks," I shake my head in disbelief.
"Can you dance and pour drinks?" she asks.
"I can pour drinks," I nod.
"Then I'll teach you the rest. Hey, I could show you in our new apartment. We could have dancing nights," she gasps excitedly, "'cause you're going to let me move in right? I can't stay at my old place. This guy that my roommate is marrying is a total tool and I think if I stay with Jazz another night he'll freak out and think I'm planning a wedding."
"Sure," I smile at her, "Rent is due on the 16th of every month. This month is covered but."
"I'll be moved in by the weekend," she claps, "now what do you want for lunch? I'm treating my employee."
"You don't have to," I shake my head digging into my purse, "I have money."
She's already up and walking toward the register with the menu in her hand.
"You didn't even take my order," I mutter watching her.
Thanks so much for reading.
Please drop me a review if you enjoyed the chapter.
L