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He opens his legs invitingly, sending alarms off in my head to run for the hills. It wouldn’t be the first time. At this point, I realize the girls were right. I’m not cut out for this.

“Come sit on my lap.” Reggie pats his inner thigh, and I shake my head.

“Wait for the next song. It’s about to start,” I stall, dancing slowly in place as the tune comes to an end.

I’m a married woman. What the hell am I doing? What the hell is Trinolettingme do?

It’s just pretend, Capri.

Channel Misty.

I sway more seductively back and forth as the song changes. The moan across from me is clearly Naomi – and I swear I hear smooching too. Gosh, don’t let the cameras stop you or anything.

This area is disgusting.

I’ve gotten away with only stripping down to my bra and panties thus far. Any further and I’m crossing a line I never intended to.

“Come closer, Misty, I don’t bite. Twenty a dance, right? I’ll hold onto you all night if I have to.” Reggie takes another sip of his drink. He then leans over and grabs at my leg.

I try to squirm away but he grabs me hard and forces me on his lap. It’s official, I’m uncomfortable now.

“What’s the matter, you don’t like me? Oh.Oh. It’s because you’re new. That’s okay, I’ll happily be the guinea pig grinding pole.” He laughs at his own sleaze.

“I’m sorry, Reggie. You’re a nice guy, and Britta was right, I’m too shy for this.” I pat his shoulder.

“Oh, c’mon.” He scoots me closer, his once attractive face now all pulled sexual desperation. I can tell he’s jealous of the treatment all the other patrons are getting in the other booths.

“Sorry, Reggie, really. Let’s go back to the bar, and I’ll buy you a drink for the trouble. Then I’ll bring you right back over to Britta.”

“Nah. Britta is too bitchy. I like my girl next door right here. You’re a beautiful challenge, Misty. And yeah, she’s right, you don’t belong here. You’re better.” He rubs his hand around my knee, then keeps going up my thigh.

I grab his hand forcefully and tear it away.

Boom!

The door of the private section bangs against the wall, and angry footsteps stomp down the aisle.

Fsssh!

The curtains whip open to Trino looming with a quiet fury in his eyes I’ve only seen once before – the moment before he killed Groundhog.

“Get thefuckoff of her,” he whispers.

I’m frozen in shock, my heart beating through my ears.

“Hey,hey. I’m a paying customer, big guy, wait your turn.” Reggie scoffs at him.

Bad move.

“Misty, is this a jealous ex-boyfriend or something? Do me a favor, and tell him tofuck offin whatever caveman language he breathes.”

Reallybad move.

Trino gently takes me by the arm to remove me from the booth, and when Reggie grabs onto my other one to resist, a punch to the gut comes so fast I hardly even saw it.

I gasp. “It’s not his fault—”

He doesn’t hear me, though. Instead, he grabs the heaving man by the collar, putting one hand over Reggie’s mouth while twisting the shirt to the point it’s a knot true to Trino’s street name. “Do you know where you are, yuppie?”