Chapter 11
Shane's POV
I followed Nicole in the same direction that I saw Mitchie go in ten minutes previously. We walked for about half a mile until we reached the beginning of a street where I knew a lot of strip clubs were. Was that what she was, a stripper? We walked down the street until we stopped at a place which looked slightly like it was sent back in time to the 1920s with a bouncer and had a sign emblazoned 'Victrola's'.
"Now," Nicole said turning to me. "What you're about to see may shock you, but please do not judge her. She's in a much better place than a few years ago. And she wanted to tell you, she really did, she was just scared. Don't do anything rash until you've spoken to her."
Why would I judge her? It meant this was something bad. And I knew it was related back to when she was a prostitute because she said Mitchie was in a much better place. So she had been telling me something important to do with her life. Did this mean I couldn't trust her? No. That was stupid. Of course I could trust her. Unless of course this place was a brothel or a whore house or whatever.
Nicole walked over to the bouncer who I noticed had a clipboard in his hands. There was no queue though which meant this place must have been a high-brow, name on list type place.
"Hi, my name's Nicole, I'm Mitchie's best friend." She said.
"Oh, so you're Nicole? Mitchie speaks very fondly of you. Go right ahead." Nicole shot the burly guy a smile and walked past him. I made to follow her, but the bear-like man stopped me.
"And you are?" He interrogated, blocking the entrance to the place where I knew my relationship with Mitchie was going to change. I didn't want it to because, even though there were secrets, I liked how we were. I didn't know if it would change for the better or for worse. I didn't want to go into this place.
"He's with me," Nicole said, grabbing a hold of my arm and pulled me in.
As soon as I stepped in, smoke filled my lungs. It wasn't cigarette smoke, just smoke. We stopped in the doorway to the main room. A woman in an outfit similar to the one I had seen Mitchie in walked past us, carrying a tray with drinks. She smiled at me before walking to a bar. I looked around. It was filled with scantily-clad women and smirking men. They couldn't be stereotyped as they were all completely different. The women weren't doing the typical, strip club lap dancing. They were sat next to the men just looking sexy. Yeah, I love Mitchie, but I'm a man; what do you expect? When we say we don't look at other girls, we're lying.
And then I looked at the stage.
Mitchie.
She was wearing what she left in whilst holding a mic breathing heavily (from singing, I knew). She smiled as she looked around. She had nothing on the other women in the place. I really didn't understand this. What the hell was she? I was pretty sure she wasn't a stripper.
Nicole noticed my confusion. "This is a burlesque club. Mitchie is the main performer. All she does is sing whilst dancing in a burlesque way. But she was scared to tell you. She doesn't want you to make her give it up because she needs the money." I made to say something back, no idea what, but was cut off by Mitchie speaking into the mic.
"So, who wants to hear something new?" A cheer echoed around the dark room. "Okay, I wrote this the other day, I hope you like it." A guitar riff started up and Mitchie began to move to the music. It was a pretty rocky tune, but was definitely raunchy. She smirked as she opened her mouth to start singing.
I can't take your hand and
Lead you to the water
I can't make you feel
What you don't feel
But you know you wanna
She took the mic off its stand, and moved around the stand like a pole. I watched as she did a booty drop or whatever it's called. I just wanted to get her off that stage. I couldn't stand that it wasn't just me watching her. She smiled seductively at the rest of the club.
Find out how to crack me
Log in, try to hack me
Underneath the surface
There's so much you need to know
She then trailed a finger down her chest. Oh fuck, you would have to be a complete idiot not to be turned on by this. I just wanted to drag her back to my hotel room. I wanted so desperately to kiss her last night, but I didn't know if that would be overstepping the boundaries. I was trying to not kiss her until she agreed to be with me, if she does agree. She was just making it ridiculously hard now. Pun not intended.
And it might feel like you're drowning
But that's what I need to let go
Then she banged her head and the dancing picked up, it got much more vigorous. I could tell how into this song she was. She was connected to music, just like me.
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
Kick senseless, my defences
She kicked her leg high in the air. I looked at her tanned skin and imagined my hand trailing up her flesh. She was already breathing hard. I noticed the way her chest was moving up and down and how I craved to take off that corset and just touch her.
Tell me what you're gonna do
I need you to light the fuse
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
Got dynamite?
Got dynamite?
I can't paint this picture
Just so you can hang it
I can't wait for you to understand
If you just don't get it
Find out how to crack me
Log in try to hack me
She moved around the stage in a way that had me so mesmerised that I couldn't think of anything but her, not much different to normal really. I spent most of my day either seeing her, thinking of her or thinking of seeing her.
Underneath the surface
There's so much you need to know
And you might feel like you're drowning
But that's what I need to let go
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
Kick senseless, my defences
She then glanced around the room. She noticed Nicole first; her eyes scrunched in confusion. Nicole obviously didn't visit Mitchie at her second job often. Then a look of recognition crossed her face, before she shot Nicole and angry glance. Her eyes darted to me and widened. She looked like she had seen a ghost. She could barely sing the next part.
Tell me what you're gonna do
I need you to light the fuse
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
She slowly got off the stage. This ensued a number of murmurs from the people in the room, obviously shocked that she left the stage. She walked in my direction. The mic clutched in her hand.
When the walls come crashing down
I hope you're standing right in front of me
She had reached me and was looking right into my eyes. This song was obviously about me. She wanted me to be the guy she trusts. She wanted me to be the guy to get her to open up completely. I wanted to be that guy. She looked at me, pleading me not to throw a hissy, not to get her out of my life, to be the guy in the song, not to hurt her. I couldn't guarantee the first one; because I was pretty angry that she didn't fucking tell me about this, but the rest I would do. I wanted her in my life forever since the moment I saw her. I wanted to be the guy in her song so badly. Is it bad that after knowing her less than a week I wanted to marry her? I realise my feelings are way too strong, but love is just like that. Did I mention that I love her? Well, if I didn't, I do. I never wanted to hurt her ever; she meant far too much to me for me to ever hurt her - physically or emotionally.
When my past lies all around
'Cause all you need to save me is to intervene
She grabbed my shirt, pulling me closer. I heard more murmurs from the audience. She mustn't touch people then. That made me feel a little better, at least she wasn't having physical contact with these scum bags; but she was still letting them see more of her body than I had.
And make the walls come crashing down
"I'm sorry, let me explain later?" She whispered quickly. I nodded before she blasted out the next lyric, still looking right at me. I really could see the passion in this song right at that moment.
Got dynamite
She then ran back to the stage. Her routine went back to normal.
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
Kick senseless, my defences
Tell me what you're gonna do
I need you to light the fuse
Tell me what you got to break down the walls
You just might need dynamite
Got dynamite?
Got dynamite?
Got dynamite?
Got dynamite?
She finished the song looking at me again. She was asking me if I was going to bother trying to find out her issues and help her with those issues.
"Okay, so that's my last song for the night." Groans came from all around. "I know, but I have something to sort out. I'll leave you in the very capable hands of Violet. Good night." She confidently strode off the stage to where her dressing room obviously was. I made to follow, but Nicole stopped me.
"You won't get back there. You'll just have to wait at the staff entrance." She took me out of the club, and pointed me in the direction where I would wait for the gorgeous woman who I wished was my girlfriend.
Mitchie's POV
Shit. Shit. Shit. How could she bring him here? She knew I wanted to tell him myself. What was his reaction going to be? I could tell he was in shock, but fuck; I knew he was going to be angry at me. He was going to be pissed because I didn't tell him something important in my life. He was going to be mad for flaunting my body in front of all those men. But what could he do? It's not like he was my boyfriend... yet.
I looked down at my body and saw the clothing I was wearing. Oh how I wished I had changed when I got here, instead of when I left. It would have made talking to Shane about this whole thing much easier if I was in regular clothes. Also it would have bought me time to think, but now I have no reason to take a while apart from gathering all my stuff together and saying bye to people.
I looked around my dressing room and sighed. I couldn't leave this just yet. Don't ask me why, but I'm kind of attached to this way of life. I was not going to let him tell me to stop with this. It may not be the best job, but the pay was extremely good. And I wasn't going to let him do the whole 'I'll but you whatever you want' thing. I'm not that kind of person. I make my own money my own way. It may not be the best way, but it's my way.
I didn't bother with putting my coat on, I was kind of over-heating. I left my dressing room and headed towards the staff exit. I knew that he would be waiting out there; Nicole would have told him where to wait for me. I passed two of the girls on the way out.
"Hi Libby, hi Maddy. Bye Libby, bye Maddy." I said passing them quickly. All they could do was smile before I was out of seeing and hearing range. I reached the door out much sooner than I wanted to. This was going to happen. If it didn't happen now, it would happen sooner or later. Now that he's seen me, I can't run from it.
I breathed in and pushed the door open. He was there, leaning against a wall, waiting for me. I caught my breath. Why did he have to look like that when he was going to throw a shit fit? Life is unfair. I sauntered over to him. He only noticed that I was outside when I was stood in front of him. He looked up, anger in his eyes. I told you.
"Go on then; tell me why you didn't tell me that you're halfway towards being a stripper. Or is it not that important?" He said bitterly, looking up through his bangs. I saw the anger in his eyes.
"I didn't tell you because I was scared." I said quietly.
"Scared of what? Me?"
"No that you would get protective and tell me to quit or something. Scared that I trusted you too much. And I do."
"How do you trust me too much? You haven't told me anything in detail. Yeah you've told me stuff, but you never tell me your feelings. How do you trust me too much?" He didn't understand like I needed him to.
"I trust you with my bruised heart!" My eyes widened; I had said too much.
"What the hell does that mean?" Oh well, I may as well explain now.
"It means that I trust you to not break me. I trust you to look after my heart."
"But why?" Shane Gray, I am not fucking telling you why. Not yet. I cant.
"I'm not willing to admit that. Not yet."
"What the fuck does that mean Mitchie?! Why do you have to be so confusing? I just don't get it. I realise that you have a past, but why can't you be spontaneous for once in your life."
"For once in my life?!" I seethed. "You didn't even know I fucking existed till 2 weeks ago, so don't go around making presumptions about me. You barely even know me."
"Because you won't let me in! I'm not going to hurt you. Why don't you believe that?" He said, throwing his hands in the air.
"Because you're just like them." I whispered. A tear fell down my cheek.
"Them?" He asked as he wiped away my tear.
"My parents, you're just like my parents. The people who had me fucking suicidal. The people who made me runaway. The people who I love even though they broke me!" Understanding flashed in his eyes. "I'm scared that you're going to get fed up with me soon and start to see me for who I am." I looked away from him.
"I am not your parents. And I do see you for who you are."
"Then why the hell are you still talking to me? Don't I disgust you?" I broke away from him; I couldn't be close to him when he finally decided that I wasn't what he wanted.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm an ugly slut. Why would you want to be near me? I'm poison." I stepped further back.
"What are you talking about? An ugly slut? First off sluts aren't normally ugly. Secondly, you're by no means ugly or a slut. You're not poison. Tell me why, if you're 'poison', I haven't touched alcohol since I met you? Even when Nate arrived." He advanced towards me. I shook my head and walked further away. I couldn't get too close. I would lose him soon enough.
"You'll start drinking again soon. I turn everyone to alcohol, because they all want to forget me. I'm a bad person, Shane, get out while you can. Get me out of your life before we both get too attached."
"It's too late for that." Did he know how I felt about him? Nicole couldn't have told him, not that she would, as I hadn't told anyone. I only realised it this afternoon. He got closer and I hit a wall. I couldn't run further.
"What do you mean?"
He wrapped his fingers around my chin and pulled my face up to greet his smiling face. "Thing is, I'm kind of falling for you."
"Well stop. You don't want me in your life. I'm a fuck up; I'll fuck up your life. Just leave me. It's happened before, I'm used to being let down."
"And that is one reason why I'm not leaving you."
"Why can't you just hate me? Like everyone else." I looked down again. I couldn't handle watching him reject me like I knew he was going to. I may have wanted him to for his own good, but I really didn't.
And then his lips slammed into mine, and I mean really slammed. It wasn't a soft, sweet kiss like I thought it would be with him. It was hard, bruising, lust-filled, angry. But really what did I expect after I've just been arguing with him? Actually, I didn't expect this at all after arguing with him. What the hell? Why is he kissing me after all the stuff that just happened? I will never work out the male mind. But even though this thoroughly confused me, I still kissed him back. Did you expect me not to?
He pushed me back against the wall. A quick thought about the dirt crossed my mind; it was just that though: quick. His hands gripped my hips violently. If someone were to come down this alley they would think we were going at it, just because of the way he was kissing me and holding me and because I was still in my clothes for V's. Oh, was that where this was leading? Shit. Could our relationship, whether existent or not, handle that? And I could tell it wasn't going to be the normal, sweet sex a couple would have for their first time together. No this was going to be lusty, hard and quick. My favourite kind. You didn't have to worry about the other person's feelings because most of the time they felt the same as you.
He licked my lower lip, not just asking for entrance, begging. I granted it, his tongue joining mine in my mouth. He then bit down on my lower lip causing me to moan loudly. I could feel him smirk against me. I wanted at least some control in the situation, which was why I started to trace my fingers over the bit of uncovered flesh on his lower back. The top of his boxers were settled above his jeans; I ran a finger across the material. He shivered against me and groaned. I knew that as soon as a showed any hint of domination he would fight right back. His hand tried to slip up my top but as it was a corset that would be near impossible. He settled for inching his hand up my bare leg and underneath my shorts.
He got fed up with that quickly. He started to kiss my neck with open mouth kisses, allowing him to lick my flesh. My eyes were closed and the only thing I could pay attention to was him. All I heard was the noises he was making (because of me!) and our movements. All I could smell was him; he was sweatier than normal, most probably because of what was happening and what he had witnessed in the club (I knew I could make him hot under the collar). I couldn't see because his sensual ministrations had me closing my eyes. They had never flickered shut like that before. All I could taste was him; even though he had left my mouth some moments earlier, I could still taste him (he tasted of oranges too. And lust, if it's possible to taste like that). All I could feel was the way he was working my body, the way his fingers clawed at my exposed skin, the way his tongue made little flicking movements lower and lower down my neck (almost at my collar bone now), the way his right hand was making its way to the tie of my corset on my back. It was like my senses had heightened because of him.
And then it started. Properly started. He pulled on the ribbon holding the garment to my body. The ribbon that was keeping me from being topless. This was where I drew the line. Not that I wanted him to stop, not at all. But I was not about to have sex in a dark alley where anyone could see, especially considering this was the staff entrance to V's. I clutched his biceps and squeezed, my way of telling him to cool it a bit.
"What?" He asked huskily against my neck. He had stopped trying to show my chest to the world though.
"Could we please take this back to your hotel room?" He looked at me then, before grabbing my hand and pulling me in the direction I knew went to his hotel. This was really going to happen.
AN: Yes, I finally fucking wrote more. Yeah my life's a bit up in the air atm. It's finally settling though. And this chapter was so hard to write. It's been the chapter I've had planned from the beginning and I didn't want to fuck it up. I think I did okay though. And omg, you guys are incredible, the amount of reviews I've gotten is ridiculous. Now for me to go on to write Ignorance, don't forget to check that out. R&R, although I know I don't have to ask. Thanks for beta-ing Sandy. You rock!
