Rose had noticed the second time she took the stage that a man was standing behind the crowd, bottle in hand and looking slightly disinterested than the rest of the men but the third and subsequent times, he had been at the front and even given her money. There was a haunted look about him, like he didn't want to be there yet couldn't tear himself away either and was torn between giving up his spot and averting his eyes. She did the rest of her turns and went to her locker to retrieve her clothes and the money she had made that evening, she never counted it until she was home.
Home was a luxury pad, ten minutes by taxi from the club that cost her £600 a month but was worth it, a far cry from her humble beginnings when she had to get a loan from Donna to buy clothes and make her way to the club the first few nights but as time went on, she had become the recurring star attraction and had money to burn. She still hadn't got up the courage to tell her mother exactly what she did but had told her she was now a dancer and made good money, which explained her apartment and her sending money to her mother every week and inviting her to stay when she wasn't working. They had even had two holidays, the first time Jackie had really been away and Rose had met a man but he'd not wanted to stay in touch once they left the hotel complex. She should have known really, she couldn't admit what she did for a living and he lived a long way away.
Pulling the curtain back over on her side of the dressing room she shared with Alice, she tucked the notes into her extra wallet and smiled at her friend. She had two more nights to do then she was off again and was about to ask Alice what she was doing with her days off, which were different to hers, when a knock came on the door. Neither Rose or the other woman accepted men back to their dressing room, Rose went to answer. It was Mick.
"Rose, I know you don't see anyone but there's a detective to see you. Say's his name is Hardy but he won't say what it's about. Do you want me to show him out?"
That was Mick's way of saying he would show him out head-first into the street for bothering her, policeman or not.
Alice was just leaving. "No, it's ok, let him in. Night Alice, see you tomorrow."
The other woman smiled and ducked under Mick's arm. Rose wondered if the detective had shown his ID to get backstage or had actually paid. She doubted he had done the latter. Alec came around the doorway. Rose recognised him from earlier.
"So detective, what can I do for you? Am I in any sort of trouble?"
Alec thought she looked even more beautiful than on the stage and now she was wearing jeans and a button down floral top and was putting her jacket on. He offered to hold her sleeve while she put her arm in it.
"Thanks. I saw you earlier, you're not here on business are you?"
"No and I'm a detective inspector." He let go as she put her other arm in her leather jacket, rather expensive, Alec thought.
"I do tell the boys that I don't see visitors, they did tell you that?" she queried.
"Yes but I thought you may make an exception to that rule."
Rose looked at him. He was tall, lean, needed a shave but looked kind of sexy with it and well dressed, well for this establishment anyway, not many punters came to watch the girls when they were dressed in suits.
Rose regarded him. "I should have you thrown out you know, getting back here under false pretences. I really don't take any visitors, nothing personal, detective."
"It's Alec, Alec Hardy and I just wanted to meet you. Why are you doing this and I know your real name is Rose so why?"
Rose thought not another one. "It's just a job Alec, that's all. Now if you'll excuse me, it's past midnight and I have a cab waiting. Thank you for taking the time to come back and see me but I'm afraid you've wasted your time and probably money, if you paid Mick to come and meet me."
"I didn't pay and I hope I've not wasted my time. Since it's late, may I at least escort you to your cab?"
"Mick does that, the cabs come and go until the last of us have left."
Alec tried to hide his disappointment and stood his ground. "Then if you don't meet people backstage, why don't you let me escort you home?"
Rose had been picked up more than once on the pretence of someone seeing her home, hence the fact she no longer saw anyone full stop. She was halfway out of the door and Alec followed. Making her way to the stage door, Mick saw the detective following her and put himself inbetween him and Rose.
"Rose, do you want me to keep him here until you're in your cab? One will be here any minute, Lucy has just taken one."
Alec was looking at her and something in his eyes, something that made Rose relent but she didn't know just why. He had a pained look on his face, like he was defeated but not about to give up.
"No, it's ok, let him past."
Mick moved to allow Alec to pass him, giving him the evil eye for getting in his way. He was hooked on her and he knew it, he hadn't stood a chance once he saw her photo in the doorway and when he had seen her on stage, he knew he was a goner. He knew 1000s of men probably felt exactly the same way as he did and had tried and failed to get her attention but she had moved to the doorway, a watchful eye being kept on her by the bouncer, who was being more than a bit protective of her but he was just doing his job.
A cab pulled up and Rose turned around. "You coming then, detective?"
Alec moved forward and followed her to the cab, opening the door for her then as she moved over, got in beside her. He noticed she didn't give her address to the driver, he thought they were contract cabs and knew all the women. The driver struck up a conversation with her, his eyes wandering to the mirror.
"Had a good night Rose?"
"Yeah, not bad Fred, how about you?"
Fred laughed. "Nah, not until you lot come out of the club, then we go back for all the drunken punters who barely know where they live. Never known you to have company."
Rose just laughed and sat back, she wasn't getting into that conversation. Ten minutes later, the cab stopped outside a fancy apartment block and Alec looked at Rose. Did she mean for him to follow or stay in the cab. When she just sat there, he realised she wanted him to let her out since her side was on the road.
He got out and she slid across the back seat, taking Alec's pre-offered hand as he helped her out. "Goodnight Fred, maybe see you tomorrow?"
"Night Rose, have a good one, what's left of it."
The cabbie smiled and headed back to the club to make a few quid for himself out of the punters who always told him to keep the change. He'd never seen anyone in the cab with Rose before and wondered what was so special about this bloke. At least they hadn't been snogging and trying to have sex in the back of the cab like some of them did.
Rose keyed in the security code and entered the lobby. A night manager was on duty at a small desk and greeted her and Alec thought this must cost her a small fortune. The man came out from behind the desk and greeted her, pressing for the lift before she had even reached it.
"Good evening Miss Tyler, how are you?" He looked directly at Alec.
Alec didn't know whether he should show his ID or not.
"Great Nigel, thanks for asking. Having a quiet night?" She knew he had a TV behind the counter and who could blame him, even though he was meant to be watching the security cameras.
Nigel just grinned as the lift doors opened. Alec now knew her name was Rose Tyler and it seemed she did live alone. Both the cab driver and the manager plus the bouncer all made it quite plain that she never took anyone home with her, well not from the club and the way the man had just looked at him as they got into the lift, it was a first her bringing anyone home with her – period.
They rode to the third floor and Rose silently opened the door. Alec saw a stunning view of the river and the town beyond, all lit up and now knew why she had chosen the location. He still hated the water but he could look down on it and see all the lights reflected in it. He thought she must sit for hours staring at the view. She threw her jacket on the sofa and kicked off her shoes and crossed to the cabinet, getting out a bottle of white wine and two glasses.
He knew he shouldn't drink any more but she may be insulted if he refused. He would just take a sip or two to please her then casually put the glass down but she took out a bottle of lemonade and filled the glasses and handed him one. She had hardly said a word since they left the club and he wasn't one for small talk really so he took the glass and held his hand out to her. She took it and he led her to the window.
"I can see why you live here, it's a great view. How long have you been here?"
"Nearly two years, the spoils of my trade you might say. You asked me why I did it, why I danced almost naked in front of all those men every night, well four nights a week. It's to have a lifestyle like this because I had nothing Alec, I had no money, no job and no boyfriend. Now I've got two out of three and I'm happy with that arrangement."
"Why no boyfriend?"
Rose laughed and took a drink. "Are you kidding me? You've seen what type of men go in there and you've probably gathered I never bring anyone back with me. The men that go in there go for one reason, to think about the women that are dancing for them, imagining only for them and what they'd like to do with us. Use us then throw us away. I don't expect to be treated any differently, given what I do for a living. Are you one of those types Alec?"
At least she wasn't accusing him of being the stereotype that frequented clubs like where she worked. He wasn't like that and had been practically dragged in by work colleagues and about to leave when he saw her. Now he couldn't resist her and hated the fact other men had stared at her and thought he may just as well leave now, not that he even knew where he was except by the river somewhere.
"Do you think I am Rose? Do I look like the normal blokes who go in there?"
Rose looked at him. "No, you don't so why were you even there? Your mates been bragging that they've been and you wanted to see what they were talking about or are you considering organising a raid and arresting everyone?"
"No but should I? If you really want to know, three men I work with dragged me there for my birthday, I didn't go there voluntarily. I was going to go home, on my own and count another year off my calendar. Satisfied? I should go now, if you tell me where we actually are?"
"Sorry. I just get loads of men trying it on with excuses to get backstage to meet me, I stopped that a long time ago and you're the first, that's why the cab driver and Mick looked at you. Happy birthday Alec." She raised her glass and took a drink.
She put her glass down and turned around to face him properly and touched his cheek, then leaned over and still holding him with one hand, kissed the other cheek. Then she pulled the blinds over and put on the lamp and went back to him.
"You could at least finish your drink Alec."
How could he tell her? "Well, I've had my limit for one night, I didn't want to offend you by refusing one."
Rose laughed. "It's ok, I didn't really want one either but I'm a bit out of practise in entertaining men. I thought you'd maybe want one."
Alec thought he should really go but something was holding him back. His desire to at least get a kiss out of her for his birthday and not just one on his cheek, though it had been nice.
She picked up her phone. "Do you want me to call a cab for you?"
"Do you want me to leave already? I thought you might dance, just for me seeing it's my birthday still, well technically."
Rose smiled. "Why not?"
She walked over to the Hi-Fi and selected a track. She unfastened her top and pulled it over her head, revealing her pink lacy bra then she unfastened her jeans and stepped out of them, showing her matching knickers and Alec sat down on the sofa before he fell down. Dancing slowly to the slow music, Alec watched her every move, twist and turn as she swayed in front of him. He knew he shouldn't be even doing this, he knew he had to try and keep his heart rate as low as possible or he really would have to have that operation his GP had talked to him about. He knew why he was so scared of having it, his chances were slim of coming through it and Rose wasn't helping.
The music stopped and Rose stepped nearer, her legs now touching his knees.
"Dance with me Alec?"
He shook his head as she grabbed his arms to pull him up. He was surprisingly heavy since he looked skinny and she managed to get him to his feet. Another slow tune began, very low that Alec thought that even paying top money wouldn't stop your neighbours complaining about the loud music and she most definitely didn't want to answer the door dressed, or rather not dressed like that. They swayed together to the rhythm, Alec had tossed his jacket onto the chair and Rose was unfastening his top buttons, his tie being in his pocket from earlier when he had first seen her on the stage and thought he couldn't breathe.
His shirt was halfway off his shoulders as Rose admired the hairs on his chest, splaying her hands over it and dotting light kisses over it. He was much taller than her, she was on her tip-toes as they stood still, the music still playing. Alec knew he should try and calm himself down before he did too much damage to himself but he couldn't. He also knew he could do nothing further than they were already doing without his admittance there was something actually wrong with him, maybe she wouldn't take it any further but on the other hand, she'd said she hadn't invited a man back for a long time, maybe she was breaking with that tradition.
Rose now had his shirt off him and had already undone the cuffs without him realising as she brushed up as close as she could get to him and was swaying to the music again, her arms now around his slim waist and halfway up his back. He could feel her through the thin material of her bra and felt the uncovered parts of her on his own skin. It was like having a waking dream where he knew the things that were happening to him couldn't really possibly be happening but they were. He found his arms were around her back as she pressed closer to him and she moved one arm to reach back and placed one of her hands on his, indicating for him to unfasten her bra.
He did as indicated and the item fell loose, he could feel her soft skin on his chest as he pulled it away and slung it onto the sofa then with her still free hand, she reached for his trousers, struggling one-handed with the fastener and having to move her other hand to accomplish her mission. She looked up at him and smiled as if to say it had been a while since she had done this and unfastened his belt. Rose moved to let the garment fall to the floor, his shoes still in the way. Carefully, he sat down with Rose still attached to him until she let go for a second while he toed off his shoes and giggling, she pulled themfrom around his ankles. Then still giggling, she pushed him back against the sofa cushions and sat on his lap, her legs either side of his and lay forward on him, touching his chest as she looked at him.
Without saying a word, she reached for his lips and sucked on the bottom one, eliciting a moan from him as he flipped her over onto the sofa, carefully avoiding her falling on the floor although it flashed into his mind they may be better off on the floor the way things were going and he lay her down, pushing her towards the back of the sofa and carefully got on top of her, trying to avoid crushing her.
Their lips found each other as she pressed against his chest, she moaned into his mouth, something incoherent that may or may not have resembled she wanted him as she gasped for breath. Rose let out a loud moan as they did and he managed to stop himself taking her right there as she ruffled his hair.
"Hi," was all she said as she slung her arm around his neck. "Shall we continue this in my bedroom or do you want to do some more investigating?"
Alec smiled back. How could he tell her that having sex with her was virtually impossible, it went against his doctor's orders as did any form of physical activity that involved getting all hot and bothered and he was already past boiling point that he wanted to go all the way. Maybe, just maybe if he let her do all the work, he could avoid being rushed to the emergency department at the local hospital.
He slowly moved away from her, looking down at her body lying there, wanting him. "I'd say that was an excellent idea but I don't carry any protection with me, I don't usually follow women home, I don't make a habit of it."
Rose smiled as she took his hand to pull herself up. Gathering their clothes, Rose led him to her bedroom, which was draped mostly in pink and blue, they threw them onto the chair, Rose diving onto the bed and scrambling beneath the bedclothes. She was going to expect him to follow through, though whether she had heard him say the word 'protection', he didn't know.
"Got that covered Alec, you know, just in case I change my mind, like I did tonight with you."
Alec smiled. "Well about that Rose, I wasn't quite prepared for what just happened in the living room, it was really nice, maybe we could go for more of that."
Rose sniggered. She could do that but she really wanted to feel him, it had been a long time since she had a man in her bed. Oh well, you have to start somewhere so she grabbed his neck and pulled him onto her.
"Ok then, since it's still your birthday, officially until you leave here."
She grabbed hold of himagain and Alec chuckled and dove down to get his revenge as Rose squealed as he bit her and playfully smacked him, her thoughts were lost at his touch.
"Alec, want you now, please? "
Alec smiled, this was going to be crunch time and he knew it. "Want you on top Rose but there's just one thing."
Rose looked at him. "What's wrong Alec? I told you it didn't matter about protection."
"It's not that, it's just if we do this, I may need my medication, it's in my inside jacket pocket. Just so you know what to do if I ask and I really, really hope I don't need it, well not until afterwards. Are you ok with that?"
He moved onto his back, waiting for her reaction. He was hoping she would be ok and not scream obscenities at him and tell him to get the hell out. Instead, she moved onto her side and saw the look on his face. He was so cute and she really wanted him, not just because he was the first decent man she had met in a long time but the fact he knew what she did for a living and was sort of ok with it.
"Oh, I'm sorry Alec, you should have said. How many do you have to take?"
"Just one, I have a bit of a heart problem and I don't know why I even let myself get this far. I can go now, if you want, if this is too embarrassing for you."
Rose smiled. "Don't be so daft Alec, you look fine to me but if you have a problem, it's ok, I'll go easy on you. Just tell me if you want to stop and if you can't tell me, shove me off and I'll get the message. Ok?"
Alec laughed. Was she kidding him? It was the best offer he'd had, considering he'd never even attempted to get this far since he had found out about his impending doom if he even dared get half the chance to lie naked with a gorgeous woman who was ok with the fact he was at death's doorstep if he did have sex. He just nodded and pulled her down on top of him, feeling her pressing into him. He managed to say 'Ok' back to her and thought he was done for.