Page 6 of Give In

My mind and body were at war with one another.

Just this once.

One time to watch openly and that’s it.

“Hey, handsome, want another drink?” the bartender asked.

“Not right now, thanks.” I smiled. “How do I get a private dance?”

“Which girl?”

I pretended to think as I scanned the club. “The one dancing.”

“Mandi? Her private dances fill up fast, but if you head into the third room, I’ll let her know you’re waiting.” She leaned closer, her smile in place but her voice firm. “House rules… No touching. No requesting anything other than a dance, or you get an immediate ban. For life. Dancers can’t talk unless you talk to them first. Some men like to get chatty, some want silence. It’s up to you.”

“Thanks.” Dropping some cash on the bar, I headed into the curtained room and sat on the small couch.

Leave.

Don’t be an idiot.

Leave, you stupid bastard.

Just one time.

When the curtain opened, a startled Eden stopped in the doorway. Her eyebrows furrowed, and her head tilted.

When she made no further move, I gestured to the sound system. She jolted and looked at it like she’d never seen it before. Her gaze darted back to mine, but I just waited.

Pulling her lips in, she dragged her attention back to the system before pressing the touchscreen a few times.

A strong beat filled the small room as she closed the curtain and came closer. The brightness that usually lit her eyes was gone, and her expression was a mask that’d been slipped into place. The only sign she wasn’t a robot was the blush that tinted her cheeks.

I wondered how her other cheeks would look that same color.

She kept her distance as she swayed, and our legs barely brushed. Her fingers shook as she removed her top. Running her palms down her ribs and stomach, she hooked her thumbs into her skirt before sliding it off slowly.

Torturing me.

It seemed like only seconds had passed when the song trailed off, signaling the end of my time.

Eden turned and quickly redressed before heading for the curtain. Sliding it open, she paused and threw a small, forced smile over her shoulder at me.

I’d take it.

Once she was gone, I stood and adjusted myself before following. My hands fisted when I saw she’d gone right to the bar to talk to another man.

I need to get the hell out of here.

Walking past Eden, I slipped her a hundred and headed outside.

Going there had been a mistake.

Watching her. Getting a dance from her.

Giving in, just that once. Just a little.

I’d fucked up big.