This was it. Her chance to prove not just to Vic, but to the entire club that she could fit in here.
But on a more personal note, she planned to use this dance as an opportunity to show the man who’d come to watch over her exactly what he’d missed out on by walking away.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” a commanding male voice took over the speakers. “Please welcome to the stage for the very first time at The Mystique…the strict and very sexy…Miss Ginger!”
The sound of rolling drums started, signaling the beginning of Scarlett’s song. Drawing in a long, cleansing breath, she held it there a moment and waited. By the time her lungs had expelled the slow exhale, she had her game face on and her mask in place.
If this doesn’t convince Olly, nothing will.
Scarlet grabbed the nearby bottle of grip aid the club provided. The product was designed to help prevent dry slipping down the pole, and since the last thing she wanted was to embarrass herself by falling or getting stuck mid-twirl, she quickly rubbed some of the ointment into her palms.
Scarlett waited a few more seconds, listening for just the right cue in the music. When it came, she pushed her shoulders back, placed a well-practiced smile plastered across her face and walked seductively onto the stage.
Van Halen’sHot for Teacherplayed loudly over the crowd. Several whistles and hollers reached her ears from the crowd, but it was the look on Olly’s face—the one she’d seen only after stealing a quick glance his way—that left her feeling like the most beautiful woman in the room.
As for the outfit she’d chosen for tonight’s performance…why, a naughty teacher, of course.
The long-sleeved white tie-front shirt had been pulled together extra tight to help push the girls up. The thigh-length, sheer plaid skirt that mimicked a teacher’s pencil skirt had been a surprisingly great find. Beneath those were a black G-string and matching bikini top that kept her nipples covered.
Barely.
Topping off the look was a pair of fake, black-rimmed glasses, complete with a high, messy bun and a few loose wisps here and there. But her favorite part of the ensemble…her favorite part ofanyoutfit, really…
The shoes.
Black leather. Open-toed to show off her red polish. Metal buckles around her ankles. Eight-inch heels.
They looked deadly, for sure, and were far from practical. But they were surprisingly comfortable, which was a good thing given their over-the-top height.
Scarlett’s heels clicked beneath her steps as she went to the pole. She put an obviously suggestive sway to her hips as she went.
It had been years since she’d performed for a crowd. But unbeknownst to her father or friends back home, she still made the occasional trip to Cincinnati for a pay-as-you-go pole dancing class.
One, it was an excellent source of exercise and kept her in great shape. And two, Scarlett had always loved the special kind of freedom only dancing could provide.
Reaching up, she gripped the pole securely with one hand before placing the other a few inches higher. As she’d done countless times before, she began using her hands and her legs to climb higher and higher toward the ceiling.
The long, sheer sleeves of her shirt billowed with her movements. The sheer skirt stretched effortlessly around her working thighs. The bikini part would come soon enough, but for now…
Scarlett had made it to her desired height on the pole. Her gaze fell over the crowd, a seductive smile curving the corners of her red-stained lips as she purposely made eye contact with a few of the gentlemen up front.
Holding herself in place, she swung her gaze all the way to her right. She stared straight at Olly who was sitting at their table. Alone.
The expression on his face was a mixture of concerned protector and a man in heat. Even from here, she could tell his muscles were locked down tight and his strong jaw was clenched. And that was the moment she knew…
I’ve got him.
Gripping the pole with her left hand and thighs, she kept herself steady while reaching up to remove the glasses from her face. With that same hand, she found the thin hair tie keeping the messy bun she’d been wearing in place, and Scarlett expertly pulled it free.
Tossing it and the glasses far off stage, she watched from the corner of her eye to make sure both items landed away from where she’d be walking in her neck-breaking stilettos. Then with slow, sensual movements, she began to shake her head from side to side.
Because that’s what the customers wanted.
She’d never understood what it was about that move that got most guys’ motors running. But whatever the reason, it worked like a charm. Every. Single. Time.
As expected, the crowd grew louder the more her long hair swished back and forth across her shoulders and down her back. This moment right here was why she’d taken the time earlier to curl the copper locks. Not a lot, but just enough to create a sea of soft, seductive waves.
The crowd continued cheering her on, but she paid them no attention. Her focus instead returned to Olly, who was sitting ramrod straight in his chair.