Page 1 of Allured (Love and Burlesque #1)
CHAPTER ONE
ALEK
Thongs might as well be currency around here.
“ G oddamnit, T. Stop stealing my thongs!” I yell out to my brother as I stalk up the stairs from the dressing rooms located below the stage. I swear to God, these stairs will be the death of me one day. I’m one shimmery body oil drip away from tripping and eating shit after a show.
I swing open the door leading to the west wing of the stage and quickly see that my target isn’t back there. Huffing in annoyance, I carefully part the side curtains leading to the center of the stage. The front curtains are already open in preparation for our rehearsal. Taking a moment, I look around past the stage and take in the vast establishment.
The Garden of Eden Burlesque Club is basically empty this early before a show. From the stage, all the seats, booths, and the massive bar are clearly visible, especially without the bright lights hitting my face like they usually do when I’m up here. We also don’t have a ton of staff on hand today since the weeknights are our more laid—back performances and the days we book our bachelorette parties.
The club looks so calm and unassuming without the moody lights and the sultry music booming over the speakers. The ornate bar only has a couple of bartenders behind it, prepping for tonight’s Roaring Twenties theme. One of them is my girl, Emma.
Earlier today, I swear I thought I’d never hear the end of her complaining about the special liquor they had to find to make the ‘bougie’ themed drinks, as she called them. My best friend is a riot, but man, can she brew up a storm about work sometimes. Not that I blame her, really. Her job can get intense.
We get all sorts of clientele here. Some come with more money than they know what to do with. Some come and hang at the bar to let off some steam from the work day. There’s always a good mix of people in the audience.
Despite the kind of crowd we might have, I rule it everytime.
I’ve been dancing at the club since the place opened up ten years ago and have been headlining since our first show.
Ten years? Fuck, you’re getting old Alek.
Was it always my dream to take my clothes off for money? Nah, not really. But I love it and damn if I don’t look good doing it. It’s a bit of a far cry from my original career path in gymnastics but I guess I kind of do a bit of both with being a burlesque dancer. Sure, I’m not winning any gold medals. But I have won the Sexiest Man in Burlesque Award several years in a row.
I’m just saying.
I offer a small wave to Emma when I catch her staring at me like I’m some sort of freak. I guess I was lost in my introspection a little longer than what would be considered normal, so I don’t blame her for her incredulous look. She shakes her head at me in question, making the brown curls that frame her face move around wildly.
While I would love to talk shit with my best friend and sample some of tonight’s special drinks, I have justice to deliver. Choosing to continue my search, I shoot Em a playful middle finger in goodbye which she returns with two of her own.
Atta girl.
The other wing of the stage is where I finally find Thomas.
T doesn’t hear as I slide through the side curtains. He’s still in his gym clothes from our workout earlier. Nothing like a pump before a show, I always say. And apparently there’s nothing like the thrill of theft either, according to T. It’s not the first time he’s taken my shit.
For some reason, my younger brother thinks everything in my locker is up for grabs. Anyone with a sibling knows how it is fighting over stuff. But taking underwear? That seems to be a Delgado family specialty. Specifically, a Thomas Delgado specialty because who the fuck steals their brother’s underwear ?
I get a little closer and finally notice Thomas is talking to Vivian, our little sister and costume designer, as they look over some outfit changes for tonight’s show. His giant frame blocks the entire view of my sister in front of him, forcing me to the side so I become visible to her. Quietly, I raise my finger up to my lips in a shushing motion. I continue to approach undetected and I’m impressed with myself— big guys like me aren’t known for being light on our feet. Viv’s eyes are gleaming with mischief the closer I get. But she doesn’t give me away.
Stealthily, I reach up and give him a brotherly slap right on his ridiculous man—bun. Viv laughs as T curses and rubs the back of his head, further messing up his already rumpled blond locks. When he turns back to glare at me, I can see my new thong hanging off his hand. I grab his hand and raise the evidence between the three of us. A price tag dangles off the pink fabric.
“Seriously dude, my thong? It won’t even fit your big ass.” I chastise him in a way only a big brother can.
T easily breaks free from my grip as he looks down and rolls his eyes at me, indignant as ever. I’m not short by any means but compared to his 6’6” frame, I’m freaking Gimli to his Legolas.
“Look, I accidentally forgot my bag, and Vivian was telling me I had this new costume, but she doesn’t want panty lines to show?—”
T sends a glare over to our sister. The innocent smile on her maroon lips gives nothing away. Someone might think it would be weird for your sister to design clothes you’re going to be stripping off, but, one, she’s talented as hell, and two, it’s not like she watches the shows. No, Viv is always backstage ready to mend up anyone’s pants that ripped from too deep of a squat or too high of a kick.
“– and thanks for calling my boxers ‘panties’ by the way,” T continues. These two are closer in age and have always fought more with each other. I scoff and roll my eyes at him before sharing a quick look with our sister, pursing my lips in a way that says as if he doesn’t wear tiny thongs for a living.
He looks back in my direction and starts speaking with a somewhat apologetic tone.
“So I thought it’d be okay if I took the new pair you got and reimbursed you later. I don’t want to head home right now.” T’s brow grows heavy and there’s a distant look in his eyes now. Shit. I forgot he had recently broken up with his girlfriend. I feel like an ass.
Viv lays a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Our sister has always been like this, kind and caring. She reminds me of my mom and damn, does my heart twist at the thought. I quickly push down the feelings that are threatening to rise. I don’t have time for that right now.
“Keep ‘em. They’re more your color anyway.” I smirk and smack T’s shoulder, trying to lighten the mood.
That’s been my specialty since we were kids: Joke, laugh, be the guy who doesn’t take everything too seriously. Make sure my siblings are doing okay. The role comes naturally now with anyone I care about.
Thankfully, Viv speaks up and pulls both me and T from our trains of thought.
“Seb let me know Knight said we need to have a run—through with some of the new guys. Something about a special event coming up.”
T and I look at each other and sigh.
We’re already tired from back—to—back rehearsals and shows this week, but with the holiday season coming up, we have a bunch of new acts and performers joining us. The lag in my brain makes me take a moment to register what she said.
“Wait, Knight’s here? And the son of a bitch didn’t even say hi?” I fake offense as I raise a hand to my chest.
I won’t lie. It’s definitely weird that he’s here on a random Tuesday. I know very well how busy Daddy Big Bucks is and how we’re a small stop among the many business ventures he’s constantly bouncing between. But I’ve known the guy for ten years. We’ve been through a lot together and I definitely deserve a hello and maybe a little smooch or something.
“Actually, Seb said he was looking for you. He said Knight seemed a little angry.” Vivian’s usually easy smile drops for a moment as she points backstage. It’s always odd seeing her anything but happy with a cute little smirk on her face. With a sigh, T turns towards me and crosses his arms while raising his eyebrow in that annoying way that makes me want to tape it down or shave it off.
“What did you do now, Alek?”
I look at him and frown, thinking it over. As if I’m the only one who’s gotten in trouble around here. Yes , it’s mostly me but that doesn’t mean I did anything this time. At least I don’t think I did anything. Probably.
“Well I guess I’ll find out, huh?” I shrug one shoulder nonchalantly, backing away to the hallway that leads to the backstage office. With my departure, I do a mock salute and throw a wink at them.
“It’s showtime, baby.” I’m about to swing the door open and take my first step downstairs when I hear Thomas yell behind me.
“The show isn't for a few hours, dumbass!”
“Yeah? Well good luck fitting in that thong, you fucking giant!”