Justice Falling (Falling #3)(60)

The man would drive a perfectly sane woman to the loony bin. Half the time I didn’t know what to do with my alpha, overly possessive boyfriend. He didn’t waste time talking to Jin about the prospect. Jin admitted being sad but knew that neither of us wanted to live the rest of our lives as we were now. Once she found out Nate would be paying a year’s rent in advance and that we’d pay her to watch Tanner while I worked, she knew it was a win-win situation. She wouldn’t have to worry about a roommate and she’d make extra money caring for Tanner during the day. She might consider leaving Gems, too.

Nate still hadn’t mentioned Tyler since our discussion and for that I was grateful. It seems as though what he found out about his friend had irreparably ruined his friendship. It was a catch twenty two. As much as I hated Tyler, I didn’t want to ruin anything for Nate. I loved him and wanted him to be happy. The situation with his friend and me weighed heavily on him. I wished I could make it better.

Leaving those thoughts behind I focused on the fact that it was my last night at Gems. I planned to go out with a bang. The owners informed me that the “suits” as they called them, were ready for me to go on.

I checked the clock and splayed my fingers to express my need for five more minutes. One last look in the mirror and my black pulp fiction inspired wig was snugly in place, the blood red corset with black trim held tightly together by crisscrossing black satin ribbon. I turned to check my booty. G-string perfectly placed, garters running down the middle of my thighs nicely, just a little nudge here and one there and I was ready for my last performance.

Gems had been a home of sorts for the past three years, but I wasn’t sad to leave. I had a future so bright it blinded me in its golden rays. After almost two full weeks, I’d decided I would move in with Nate at the end of the month. I’d thought of nothing else the last couple weeks, running over the pros and cons. All the cons related to the newness of our relationship and leaving Jin and Zachery. The pros were so many it filled an entire lined yellow sheet of paper. The biggest pro? I loved him. And over the past few weeks we had been together, he’d proven he loved me. Nothing was going to get in between that love. He promised he’d always love me and I believed him.

I planned on telling him the big news tomorrow morning. Tanner would be ecstatic.

London had made a fantasy room for him at Nate’s apartment. He called it a flat, New Yorkers called it an apartment. In my mind it was big enough to be a mansion. It had more rooms than he needed and lacked for nothing in the way of amenities. The building had a pool, a gym and a restaurant. A busy professional working virtually would never have to leave the building.

Nate took advantage of the pool most nights. Watching him swim was like watching a moving piece of art. His lines, the movement of his toned muscles stretching and propelling him through the water was breathtaking. Tanner loved the pool like any four year old would but hadn’t had much experience in water. Nate worked with him on learning to swim and said once we moved in he’d take him each night to ensure he was safe around water. Another pro according to Tanner.

I made my way slowly up the stairs and onto the stage. A black velvet curtain hid me from view. Sounds of male laughter, clinking of glasses and whistles started the second the lights dimmed and my music started. I let the heavy tones of the base sweep across my senses, thrum against my chest and rumble into my heels. Music and movement helped me escape the reality of what I was actually doing. When I followed the melody with fluid movements and gymnastic inspired pole work, I was usually able to forget that a crowd of horny men were watching and often times touching themselves while I worked.

I took a deep breath in as the curtain rose. My hands gripped the pole above my head, and I faced the back wall, allowing the men to see my bare ass pressed against the pole, my back arched. I knew without needing a mirror that the picture I presented was every man’s fantasy. Using this as a tool I pulled high, swung my legs into the air and curved around the pole to the floor. When I looked up to assess the men, my eyes caught a pair of familiar blues, ones I did not look forward to seeing.

Tyler Thornton.

His grin was wide and he held a hand loosely in front of his face as he took in my body. He licked his lips and I turned my head. The odds were he wouldn’t recognize me. I was wearing a wig, and, frankly, it had been a long time since he’d seen this body. It was different, matured, and changed after having a child. Sweat prickled at the edges of my hairline. Usually I didn’t perspire. I was in excellent shape, long and toned, yet still curvy. The presence of my ex, Tanner’s biological father, put my nerves into overdrive.

I took long yoga-style breaths, bent at the waist and shook my moneymaker. Several of the men whistled. Some threw money on the stage. A few didn’t even pay attention, they were so busy talking business in the back to notice the half-naked girl on a stage fifteen feet in front of them.

Tyler was laser focused on my body as I undulated, undoing the first few eye hooks of my corset, giving my ample bosom additional space. I needed the extra space to suck in the air I was having trouble keeping. With a saucy step, I sauntered to a black glossy chair that had only a seatback but no arms. In a move I stole from Jin, I straddled the chair giving the men a nice healthy view of my satin clad center then leaned back balancing on the chair, putting my legs out in a wide air split. That caught the men’s attention. With a twirl of my legs I flipped and straddled the chair reverse cowgirl, bumping and grinding along with the music as they cheered.