Page 6 of The Heartbreaker

She stayed planted. “I think you’re forgetting where we are.”

“I know exactly where we are.”

She combined all her hair and laid it over one shoulder. “Then, you know I can’t join you. It’s not that I don’t want to. I’m just not allowed. If I’m not up there”—she pointed behind her at the stage—“then my job is to roam the room until I book a private dance.”

“What does that entail?”

“The private dances?” When I nodded, she continued, “You’ve never had one?”

I chuckled at the way she was looking at me. “Why does that surprise you? You know nothing about me …” I gave her a wink.

“I just assume most people who come here are knowledgeable about the services that are offered. If I’m being honest, I’m glad a guy as handsome as you isn’t a regular here.”

She thought I was handsome.

Finally, I felt like I was getting somewhere.

“Because?” I questioned.

“Regulars can be a little creepy … if you know what I mean.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Trust me, I’m not that.”

She laughed again as she shifted her weight, the sky-high heels bringing the top of her head to my throat.

“I don’t mean any disrespect when I say this, but I don’t make it a habit to come here.” I kept my voice gentle. “My friends andI are celebrating a bachelor and bachelorette party and ended up here.”

Her brows rose. “Is it your bachelor party?”

An appropriate question.

I whistled out a mouthful of air. “Fuck no.”

It seemed my answer registered through her before she nodded toward the VIP area. “Back there, there are private rooms. You can rent them for a dance, two dances, three dances—however many you want.”

The more I spoke to her, the more I realized there was no way I could have left here without talking to her.

I would have regretted it for the rest of my life.

Because looking at her from where I’d been sitting with the group wasn’t nearly enough.

Neither was this conversation.

Whoever she was, however her story unraveled—I wanted to know both.

“I’d like to rent a private room for the entire night.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

“If that’s the only way I’ll get to spend time with you, then yes. Take me there.”

The shock was evident on her face. “I think there are some logistical things we have to work out first.”

I reached into my pocket, took out my wallet, and grabbed the wad of cash from inside. I didn’t need to count it; I knew just how much was there, and I placed it in her hand. “That should more than cover it.”

She slowly glanced down at the stack. Her chest rising and falling several times. “You’re giving all of this to me?”

“Pay the house or whatever you have to do to cover your bases. The rest is for you.”