“Turn around,” he ordered sharply.
Doing as the man asked, Scarlett began to spin around in a three-sixty turn. She moved slowly, allowing him every opportunity to get his fill. When she came to a stop in her original position, she didn’t miss the unmistakable lust burning behind the man’s sleezy stare.
“Tomorrow. One o’clock.” He gave her another once-over. “You choose the music, and if you’re late, don’t bother showing up.”
Yes!
“I won’t be late, I promise.” She went over to him and shook his hand. “Thank you so much for the chance.”
“Three minutes.” He held her hand in his a beat longer before releasing his strong grip.
Scarlett frowned. “Three minutes?”
“That’s how long you’ll have to convince me that you’re good enough to dance here.”
Oh. That.
Pushing her shoulders back, she offered the man a cocky grin as she told him, “Thanks but…I’ll only need two.”
Then she turned around and walked back down the hall, putting an extra little sway in her step as she went. Halfway to her and Olly’s table, she looked over to where he still sat. Her steps nearly faltered when she saw another woman sitting in the seat beside him.
Not justanywoman. A stripper.
She was thin with long, black hair and obviously fake boobs that were barely covered by the woman’s skimpy, neon yellow thong bikini. Scarlett watched her closely as she continued that way. The woman’s mouth spread into a fake-ass smile as her equally fake lashes fluttered with a laugh.
She’s trying to work him for a private dance.
Scarlett knew the game well. Hell, at one time, she’d been the master. But despite knowing this woman’s only interest in Olly was his wallet, she couldn’t help but feel the first tendrils of jealousy creeping in.
You have no right to be jealous. It’s not like he’s yours.
Even so, she picked up her pace and swiftly made her way back to the table.
“Hey.” She plastered on her own fake-as-hell smile.
“There she is now.” Olly’s beseeching gaze put her unwarranted jealousy at ease.
He doesn’t want the other woman here, either.
“You must be the girlfriend.” The dancer stood and held out her hand. “I’m Roxie. I was just telling your boyfriend I offer specials for couples who want to take advantage of one of our private rooms in the back.”
“Well that’s…” Scarlett looked back to Olly whose eyes grew wide as he gave a single, hard shake of his head. “…something to definitely keep in mind. For next time, though. Because I’m beat.” She put her hand to her gaping mouth, faking a big, unladylike yawn before adding, “Plus I need to get up early tomorrow and do some shopping.”
“Where are you going?” Roxie inserted herself back into the conversation. “There are some amazing little boutiques downtown, and?—”
“Yeah, I don’t think they’re going to have what I’m looking for.” Scarlett showed the other woman the flyer before handing it off to Olly.
“Oh! You’re going to audition to become a dancer here?” The other woman beamed. “When?”
“Tomorrow at one.”
“You’rewhat?” Olly’s eyes practically bugged right out of his head. Abandoning the flyer, he tossed it on the table while shooting her a decidedly unhappy scowl.
If Roxie wasn’t there, Scarlett could explain her plan in greater detail. But since the dancer was still chumming it up with them as if they were friends, she had to be a little less obvious.
“It’s a long story, babe,” she pretended to blow off his concern. “But look! It says right there, they’ll work around my college schedule.”
Putting her body between Roxie’s and Olly’s, she pointed to the flyer’s bottom section. The tip of her finger bounced with a light tap right next to the name she really,reallyneeded him to see.