Kiss Me

Part eight

Aya

"So, tonight's routine is going to drive everyone crazy, right?" I said with as little enthusiasm as I usually have.

"Of course," Z was already oiling up his toned skin. "Especially with these outfits." He smiled. Yeah, the lack of. I thought. Although I'm having to wear a cut off polar neck because of that ruby red love bite. Yet the G-string had enough sexy that I don't think the crowd would be phased. "Oil up then Aya, we're on in ten."

"Yeah yeah," I mumbled walking away from him. To be honest, I'd usually be teeming with excitement, but I'm not feeling it so much tonight. For the first time in forever I'd rather be at home with a takeaway for one and a bottle of red, sitting under my quilt crying to some soppy ass romance.

I took a quick peek from behind the curtain to see the place fully packed. Most regulars and some very new. Shit, I'm nervous. I'm never nervous. "Hey…" I almost jumped out of my skin. "Whoa, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good."

"You sure?" Asked Liam giving me an all knowing look. "You seem a little jumpy."

"Actually, I feel like shit. I don't know what's wrong with me."

Putting his palm to my forehead like an idiot, he mocks thinking, then grins. "Maybe you should just work the floor tonight, you feel a little warm."

"Idiot," I snap and slap his hand away. "I just don't feel my usual self."

"You're not acting it either. We got a few minutes, wanna chat?"

"Not really."

"Come on Aya."

"Wait, erm...maybe I should work on the floor."

"It will be weird without you on stage, but we wouldn't want you forcing yourself if you feel like crap," he stops and leans in closer, his vanilla scent filled my nostrils making them flare. "Maybe you should take some time off."

"Time off. Are you nuts? This is all I have."

"Yeah, but if you make a mistake and hurt yourself or any of us, you won't be able to forgive yourself." Shit. He's not wrong. It's just I never miss a show. I'd feel even worse for it, if I did. "Aya, for once put yourself first."

"But…"

"No," he said, flinging his heavy arm around my shoulders. "No buts. Work the floor and see how you feel later."

"Fine. But can you let the guys know? I don't want to face them yet."

He smiles. "Sure thing beautiful." And he was off, leaving me feeling empty. Fuck it, I'll go on the floor and try for a couple of high paying regulars. It a damn sight better than nothing. So I left backstage and made my way onto the floor and headed for the bar.

"Hey Aya, the usual drink?"

I nod. "Thanks Gerry."

"No problem cutie." I scoured the room and eyeballed a regular who was looking straight at me, with a daring smile. I don't like him, not one bit. He's too handsy and smells of cigarettes, but he always pays out nicely. Maybe he's compensating for something. Maybe he pays high hoping I'll give him a little side action. I chuckled. Not fucking likely, the guy actually gives me the damn creeps, but after I give him a good ol lap dance, he leaves. Probably to bash one out, thank god I never get to see it. "Aya…"

"Oh, sorry Gerry."

"That's alright, but you seem off."

I frown. "Am I that transparent?"

"Well, you're usually more, bouncy."

"I see," I mumble, taking my drink and knocking it back. "Another one please." Gerry nods and walks away. I again scour the room for maybe a new customer. Then I gasp and my eyes stopped on two guys, laughing and drinking far at the back. Just my luck seeing Henley. Why is he here and he's not alone, the other guy is hot too. "Thanks Gerry." I say taking my drink and slipping from my chair. I smile at my regular but move straight past him towards Henley and his friend. I'm such a bitch. "Hey," I shout out over the music from on stage and see the guys making their dramatic entrance.

"Oh," Henley squeaks. He seems surprised. Why? It's why he came here, right? To see me.

Taking a seat next to him I point to his drink. "Drinking whiskey?"

"Erm, yeah…"

The other guy coughs and butts in. "I'm Matt, you must be…" Henley quickly put his hand over his friend's mouth. So obvious. He's told him about me.

"Shut up," Henley bit and his friend nods and reaches for the bottle of whiskey sitting on their table. "Sorry about him, he's kind of relieving himself tonight."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Ahh, see he wanted to come here...well, because…"

I cut in. "You don't need to explain yourself to me."

"Sorry," he mumbled, I didn't hear him but I clearly see the word fall from his mouth. He looks all forlorn and so fucking cute and hot at the same time. It kind of makes me want him again. No no, no I don't. Such a liar, my inner self says with glee. Fucking demon, I thought.

"It's fine." I turn my attention to the stage as the music blares and the guys do the routine I'd been practicing. I felt really lost, but Liam was right, I would have definitely cocked up tonight.

"Ahh, shit," his friend speaks up. "I'm going to the loo." He smiles at me and gives me a cheeky wink which has my cheeks blushing and he was gone, amongst the crowd, leaving me alone with Henley.

I turn to look at him and I'm startled to see he was staring back at me. His eyes glassy from alcohol, his woodsy scent making my skin pimple. "What?" I asked.

"You're so beautiful." Fuck, hearing him say that felt extremely real. I never feel like this with anyone else and I sure as hell don't melt whenever anyone else calls me beautiful, so why him? "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

Now it looks like I'd just kicked a damn puppy. "It's fine, but if you're going to sweet talk me, don't half ass it." Was I just digging my grave?

"Hm. You’re right. Half measures are never any fun. Are you in, or are you out?" He issues his response like a dare. Man, He's extremely forward tonight. But I'm angry he's here, when I clearly told him not to come.

I smile, wickedly. "What I am is stuck in a serious predicament." His burst of deep laughter is startling, his head thrown back, the light in the room highlighting the rasp of dark stubble on his face. At least until he looks at me again, all faux seriousness. Jesus I want him...The thought goes unfinished as his hand brushes the side of my ribs, crossing my waist. I inhale a sharp breath, rolling my lips inwards to contain the consequent sighing exhale. 

"Aya, I'm sorry I came when you told me not to. But my mate wanted some fun after being hurt, you see. Now I'm glad I came here."

"I'm mad you came. You should go."

His eyebrows crease to a frown. "Really?" He rubs his hands down his thighs and back again, the movement almost hypnotic. He jumped to his feet, and I’m immediately, and maybe inexplicably, a little frantic. This is it, he’s going to leave, and we’ll never meet again. Is this a chance I should be taking?

Biting the side of my mouth as he walks away, I scrambled to my feet and caught the hem of his top. "Wait!"

He stops and turns to face me. "Why?"

"Because it was a lie."

"What was a lie, Aya?" He said leaning into my ear making me shudder.

I couldn't stop myself and tucked my fingers in the pocket of his trousers, pulling him against me. God, he smells delicious. "If you're leaving...then take me with you."

He gasps and splayed a hand across my back. The contact had me breathless. The thought of those hands on my bare hot skin had me squeezing my thighs together. "Alright." Was all he said. I was melting against him. I wanted him. I needed him. I had to have him again, there's no lie. I feel something for him.

"Erm…" I stutter. "Let me go change real quick, meet you at the bar?"

"Yeah." He said and moved to the side so I could leave. Believe me I didn't want to. If I could get away with walking the streets in a G-string and half cut top I would just so I could be with him quicker. But no such luck and I raced to the changing rooms before the guys came back and questioned me. I didn't want them to see how flustered and turned on I am. I'd get it in the ear, most definitely from Z.

I quickly changed into sweats and a hoodie and pulled my hair back into a messy bun and grab my backpack. "Right," I breathe and left as quick as my feet would go to see Henley chatting to his friend. I wonder what he's saying? I shook any negative thoughts and walked right up to him and gripped his arm, stealing his attention. "I'm back," Jesus I sound like some prissy girl.

"Right, I guess I'll see you tomorrow Hen." His friend said with a wide grin.

Henley nods and flashes a brief smile then snatched my hand in his. "Come on Aya." I guess I liked his forwardness tonight. Makes me wonder what he'll be like in the bedroom. Maybe even more of an animal than before. Poor angel. He was so perplexed last time, not gonna lie, he was good. But I'm even more excited to see forward Henley, hopefully shy bashful Henley was out for the night. I snigger at the thought. "What?" He asked pulling me through doors and onto the busy cold street.

"Nothing." He huffed a little, yet didn't let go of my hand. "Are we walking?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's not far, remember." Oh yeah. Luckily he doesn't live far, I need to remember that. Just in case. I couldn't stop chewing on my mouth as we speed walk towards his apartment. I wonder what he's thinking? Should I speak up? No, I always end up putting my foot in it. Yet he did it for me. "I need a shower." I looked at him, he was completely red. Even in the dark of night, he was practically glowing.

"Me too. Let's shower together."

"....Sure." He mumbled. I couldn't stifle my giggle. He's so fucking sweet and charming. Like a prince. I bet he has plenty of princesses at his heel. Then I had a sudden and dreadful realization that I was wearing atrocious underwear. Batman, to be exact. But it might’ve been worse. Yesterday, I wore Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle ones, I think. Shit, I'm going to a laughing stock.

We didn't speak as he opened the first set of doors to his apartment block. We still didn't say a word when he opened his front door and pulled me inside. We didn't need words, not yet anyway and he pushed me, with a thud my back hit the wall by the front door and his lips crushed against mine. Hot, hungry. Oh god, I don't think I ever want this to stop.