Hitched (Hitched #1)(15)

Jasmine comes out first, her body covered in ribbons of fabric that I know will come off one by one as the song progresses.

We've created a pseudo stage for them, complete with a removable pole. We hired these two dancers in particular because of their remarkable skill on the pole. It never ceases to wow our clients.

Jasmine moves around the room, seducing each man with her eyes, with her swaying hips, as she pulls the ribbons off her dress, revealing bits of skin with each discarded cloth.

Most of the men in the room can't turn their eyes from her. Except Chad, who keeps glancing at Vi; Tate, who keeps his eyes sweeping the room; the groom, who's still texting his wife-to-be…

And Sebastian, who hasn't stopped staring at me since he arrived.

I can't avoid his gaze any longer, and so I turn my eyes to him, admiring his chiseled features, the way his body fills his jeans to perfection, the way he looks at me as if he wants to eat me.

My body burns with the same need I always have at the thought or sight of him, but I'm also angry. Angry he's here—and you and I both know it's not an accident—and angry that he won't accept no for an answer. And, if I'm being honest, angry that I don't want him to accept my no. Totally lame, am I right? I suck.

As Jasmine finishes up her dance, Nicole comes in, and the music changes to something more upbeat. She's dressed in an exotic belly-dancing costume, and she begins her strip tease.

By the end, both dancers are in a bra and panties with high heels. The men are nearly salivating. Vi keeps plying them with drink, and I make sure to walk the hors d'oeuvre tray around so they get something in their stomach.

When I lean over to serve the belligerent Henry, he breathes his liquored breath into my face and speaks in a hushed voice. "If they're not available, what about you? You could be a stripper with that body and a model with that face. I'd do you, and I'd pay nicely for it." He holds up a wad of cash and puts it in my hands. I take it, put it into our tip jar, and smile. "Thank you, but the answer is still no."

His face turns mean, but I leave him to serve the others, who also offer tips, without the propositions, and our jar fills with money that will go to Vi and the dancers. Tate and I never take tips collected at the parties. If the groom or bride want to tip us directly afterwards, that's fine.

When the music shifts again, the room turns foggy with white smoke from a smoke machine, and lights come on in different colors under the smoke, giving it a haunted dream-like look. Nicole dances around with ribbons as Jasmine begins a pole dance that is nothing short of athletic in its beauty. At one point she is actually walking on the ceiling, using only her arms to support her on the pole.

I can hear one of the men gasp, and I know they're as impressed as everyone is. The show is sexy, classy and amazing.

When it ends, they both reveal their breasts to clapping and catcalling, and they offer lap dances to those who want to pay more. I remind the men of the rules and look for Tate, knowing he'll keep an eye on things as I step away to call room service for dessert to be sent up.

I'm alone in the bedroom when the door opens. I expect it to be Tate or Vi. I want it to be Sebastian.

It's Henry. And now he's really drunk.

He leers at me as he stalks toward me. He's got a good one hundred pounds on me and is much taller. I know some karate, so I'm not too scared—hey, a girl's gotta be able to defend herself in a city like this—but my heart still jumps into my throat. "Henry, please return to the other guests. This room is private."

"Which makes it perfect for what I want. You took my money, bitch. Now I'm going to take what I paid for."

He's about to grab me as I raise my knee to catch him in the balls when the door opens again, and Sebastian is there, looking like he's ready to kill someone.

He grabs Henry and pulls him away from me. "What the f*ck are you doing in here with her?"

Henry unwisely gloats. "None of your f*cking business."

"It is now," he says and punches the man in the jaw. My first thought is, holy shit. My second is immediate concern for Sebastian's hands. He's a surgeon. Punching someone isn't a great idea when your whole career relies on your hands.

But he doesn't seem to care about his hands or his career. He's about to punch him again, but Tate joins us with a face full of apology. "Let's get this guy out of here," he says to Sebastian, who visibly calms down and nods.

They both escort Henry to the door, and Sebastian makes a call, securing a cab for the man through the concierge of the hotel.

When Tate closes and locks the door behind Henry, I finally breathe normally. The music has stopped, I realize, and all the party guests are staring at us.

"I apologize for the brief interruption. Who would like another dance from our amazing dancers? This time to live music?"

The men nod eagerly, and I give a nod to Chad to do his thing. He looks about ready to piss himself, but he grabs his guitar and sits to the side of the stage as he begins strumming his guitar.

I know Jasmine and Nicole will find ways to improvise this. They're that good. And they don't disappoint. They create a very sexy, very sultry dance that's almost story like in its presentation as Chad sings.

The men are mesmerized, and I use the distraction to make sure Dan is okay.

He apologizes before I have a chance to say anything. "I shouldn't have invited him, but he's my cousin, and my parents twisted my arm. I'm so sorry."