Lust (The Stripped Bare Series Book 1) (11 page)

Max

Goddamn it, Scotty. Why the hell did you have to ruin our moment?

“What d’ya want?” I ask, maybe a little too harshly. He looks over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, did I interrupt something?” His huge grin makes me feel nervous. He has the biggest gob in the town and I know he won’t keep anything he sees to himself.

“No, you didn’t.” Turning around, I go to sit back down in my chair. “So, how’s she getting on?”

“Oh, she’s wonderful.” The tone in his voice gets louder on each syllable. “Can we gather the girls on Thursday morning for a rehearsal? We still haven’t worked on the undressing, but the act we have should be enough to keep the punters happy. Maybe put her on during the day?”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll sort out the girls. We’ll deal with the other issue at a later date. Thanks, mate.”

“No problem. See you tomorrow.” He turns and skips back out into the hall. I’m glad that they have yet to rehearse the stripping part of the act. I wonder if Jake will allow her to keep her clothes on permanently? I will have a word with him about it later.

Reaching for my phone, I text all the girls to inform them of the rehearsal. They’re great girls, very supportive of each other and I’m sure they’ll be glad to help Jasmine. 

Jumping on my bike, I make my way back to the flat. It’s my night off and I’ve made plans to catch up on some sleep and watch some re-runs of Orange County Choppers. My phone disturbs me and I reach over to see a number I’m unsure of. Looking at the time, I notice that it’s almost eleven at night, who in the hell is calling me at this stupid hour?

“Hello.” My tone is clipped; I’m unimpressed to be disturbed at stupid o’clock, by an unknown person. There’s silence on the other end. “Hello. Who is it?” I ask again.

“Erm, I’m sorry it’s so late, I didn’t know who else to call.” My dick twitches at the sound of her voice, she sounds anxious and panicked. Sitting up straight, my whole body jumps to life.

“What’s wrong, Jasmine?”

“I was leaving work, I think someone was following me. Anyway, I got into my car and it wo
n’
t start. I’m afraid to get out of the car. I didn’t know what else to do.” Reacting instinctively, I stand up grabbing my keys and helmet off the table. I quickly put my shoes and jacket on, whilst reassuring her.

“I’ll be there in five minutes. Do not leave the car.” Hanging up, I practically run out of the door. Jumping on the bike, I start her up and speed the short distance to the car park that I know she parks in.

I can see her car sat all alone in the dark, secluded car park. Kicking the bike stand, I take off my helmet and scan the area. I don’t see anyone around. She jumps when I knock on the car window and I can see the fear on her face instantly. She looks so fretful, huddled in her car with her doors locked tightly. Opening the door, she climbs out, throwing her arms around my neck. She’s shaking. I pull her into my arms and hold her; her hands grip the back of my neck tightly.

“Hey, it’s okay. You’re safe.” I whisper into her ear. She doesn’t move, her whole body trembles in my arms.

“I thought he’d come for me.” She says on a sob.

I pull back and look her in the face; her eyes look wide and terrified. “Who? Jasmine, who’d come for you?” She looks shocked now, as if she’s said too much. Her mouth opens and then closes again, as if she’s trying to think of what to say to me.

“No one. I’m just being paranoid.” She’s lying. I can see it in her eyes. “Can you get the car started?” She walks back to the car, pulling the latch on the bonnet. I want to question her about who she thinks is following her. There’s more to her story than she’s letting on. Instead, I open the bonnet.

“Turn the ignition for me,” I call. She does, but the battery is flat. “I think we are going to have to try and push start it. Jump in and put it into first gear, I’ll push you.

We manage to get the car started after the second attempt. I walk over to her window, she’s still shivering and I don’t know if it’s through fear or the cold night air.

“Thank you, Max. I’m so sorry I had to call you.” She looks down at her hands, I’ve noticed it’s a trait she has when she’s nervous.

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Are you sure you’re okay? You seem kinda shook up.”

“Yeah, sorry. I was a bit spooked, but I think I was just overreacting.” She leans over to put her seatbelt on. “I better get home, I’ve got an early morning session with Scotty.” She gives me a small smile and I want to lean in and kiss those beautiful lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Text me when you get home, yeah? Just so I know you’re safe.”

“I will do. Thanks again.” Putting the car into gear, she drives off, leaving me stood in the middle of the car park. The sound of glass breaking in the distance startles me, and I quickly jump onto my bike and head home.

Jasmine

Text received 11.55 p.m.

Hi Max,

I’
m home safe and sound and tucked up in bed. Thank you for helping me tonight. I really appreciate it.

J x

I breathe a sigh of relief when the text comes through. I’ve been home for twenty minutes, watching my phone, stopping myself from texting her first. I quickly write a reply.

I’
m so glad yo
u’
re home safe.
I was starting to worry.

I can’t write that!

I’
m glad you made it home. No need to thank me. Goodnight.

M x

Pressing send, I plug it into the charger and climb into bed. It doesn’t stop me glancing at the phone every five seconds to see if she has text me back, though. Man! I really am turning into a pussy. Eventually, I fall asleep. she doesn’t text back but that doesn’t stop me from dreaming about her. Her long auburn air brushes my face as she dances seductively for me. Her full, luscious lips slip over my rock hard cock as she looks up at me through those long thick lashes. I wake up with the biggest boner ever. Jumping in the shower, I quickly bash one out before I have to get to the club.

“Girls, can you all be quiet please.” Seven of the girls have turned up for Jasmine’s rehearsal. I look around to see who’s here, as they sit chattering to themselves on the leather stools. I haven’t seen Jasmine yet; I know that Scotty had her kitted out in a new outfit yesterday. I’m excited and nervous to see what she looks like. My brain and heart are quarrelling with each other. My brain keeps telling me that she’s not my girl and I have no right to be jealous about what she’s about to do. My heart is telling me to jump on that stage and call it all off.

Scotty appears on the stage and my stomach does that weird somersault thing. I swear I’m turning into a woman; all these emotions are killing me. I’m not used to it. Taking a seat on the chair next to the stage, I wait.

The pulsating tones of Massive Attack’s ‘
Teardrop
’ flood the room. Goosebumps tingle my arms, and I quickly pull my sleeves down on my jacket so no one notices. The curtain moves and Jasmine appears. I’ve just died. Seriously, she looks amazing. She’s taken my breath away. She’s wearing purple sparkly hot pants and a bikini style top. Her hair is pin straight and flowing down her back. She has glittery makeup covering her eyes and a flower painted down the side of her face. She moves seductively towards the pole. I can see that she’s nervous but she strides confidently.

As she reaches the pole she wraps her leg around and spins. My balls instantly tighten when I get a flash of her naked thighs. I want to bury my face in between them and get lost for days. As she leans back, she throws her arms over her head, and grips the pole tightly. She’s now upside down, her tits pushed outwards, pointing straight at me. I take in a deep breath and try to control myself. She’s doing amazingly; she’s a natural. That thought just makes me feel worse.

She finishes up her set with a twist around the pole, I don’t know the technical terms for all these moves but she ends with her legs split apart and all I can think is, ‘she’s very bendy, I bet she’s great in bed’. The girls give her a round of applause. She looks suddenly shy but her eyes immediately find mine. I give her a big smile and clap loudly. All the while, I’m begging her not to go out there and do that in front of the punters. She’ll have men drooling all over her if she does that tonight, and I don’t think I can control myself. Piper climbs up onto the stage and hugs her tightly. She finally breaks eye contact and I walk towards the back and into Jake’s office.

Jake couldn’t come in today so he’s put me in charge, which means I’ve had to cancel my usual lunchtime plans. Pulling my phone out of my pocket I dial the number for the care home. I feel bad, she’s just come back out of the hospital after having yet another mini stroke and I should be there with her. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I need this job to pay for her care, but the job is stopping me from seeing her as much as I’d like.

“Hey, Ma,” I say once the staff puts me through to her room.

“Hey, son, what’s up?” She sounds tired.

“I’m sorry, Ma, I need to work today, will you be okay having lunch by yourself?”

“Max, you know I don’t need you to come every day. I will manage without you just fine.” It breaks my heart to leave her. “You just do your job and I’ll see you tomorrow.” I can hear the smile in her voice, but she still sounds off.

“Are you sure you’re okay. You sound tired?”

“I had a bad night, but I’m fine. I’ll probably sleep through, anyway. Love you, Son.”

“Okay, Ma, make sure you eat, though. Love you too.”

Hanging up the phone, I lean back in the chair and close my eyes. It’s been a long day, and it’s not even lunchtime yet. Dexter rang this morning. He’s having a great time with his folks, he asked about Ma and me, and then about Jasmine. I’d told him that she was working the pole tonight and he said he would send her a text. It shocked me that he was in contact with her. I thought he’d have forgotten all about her by now. I know that when he goes to Yorkshire he’s always out in the clubs with some of the mates he’s made over the years. He has pussy on tap at that place.