“What’s up, girl?” Jingles’ baritone voice greeted her, and he swept Crystal into a hug, twirling her around a few times before putting her down. She squealed and hugged him back, enjoying the feel of his lean body against hers. He slid onto a barstool, and motioned for Crystal to join him. The bartender was patiently waiting nearby. Jingles ordered a soda, and looked at Crystal expectantly.
“Um, can I have a margarita?” she asked.
He nodded, grabbed the cooler off the bar, and got to work. “That’s the first time you’ve ordered an actual drink,” he said lightly when he slid it in front of her. “You must be in a good mood today.”
She winked at him, then took a quick sip. “Oh, that’s really good.”
Pleased, he set Jingles’ soda on the bar, and carried the cooler away. Crystal sipped her margarita again, and enjoyed its tart citrus taste.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Jingles said. “Your money’s no good here…you can always drink for free.”
“Aw, you’re so good to me!” she teased.
He smiled in return, then grew serious. “You haven’t seen anything yet, Crystal. Have you thought any more about dancing here? You’re going to hurt my feelings if you keep turning me down, you know. What do I have to do, beg?”
The margarita was helping her relax, and she twisted back and forth on her barstool. “I’d like to dance here,” she admitted. “But I don’t want to cause any problems with Shane. Although if you want to beg, I’ll definitely listen.”
That made him laugh and slap his leg. “Damn, girl, you’re something else!”
Her eyes sparkled with laughter as she regally inclined her head. “Why, thank you, sir!”
Thoughtfully he studied her for a moment, then said smoothly, “I’m glad you’re loyal to Shane. It speaks well of you.”
His compliment made her beam with pleasure.
“I already talked to him, though, and he’s cool if you want to dance here,” he continued without a pause. “It’s your choice, of course, but I’d love to have you start immediately.”
She sipped her drink again, and thought it over. She’d been making deliveries to Jingles’ club for a long time now, and she’d gotten to know him pretty well. She did want to dance here, and he’d promised her some good money. That was nice, she admitted, but mostly she just wanted the chance to spend more time with him. She couldn’t help being attracted to him, she was tired of saying ‘no,’ and she was still on the fence about Rowdy.
Tim wouldn’t approve of any ‘special’ time she spent with Jingles…he didn’t approve of much anymore, she thought sourly. So she damned well wasn’t going to ask his permission. And hadn’t she already told him she was considering dancing at a new club? Shane wouldn’t care, now that he was engaged to Raven. And Rowdy still wanted to have sex with her…but she honestly wasn’t as interested in him anymore.
Jingles was way more interesting. He’d be her little secret.
Rowdy and Tim don’t need to know about him. It would just complicate things, especially since Tim and Rowdy don’t like each other. I’ll have to keep Rowdy happy, though, since he’s my source for Meth.
“Okay,” she agreed, and smiled up at him. “If Shane said it’s okay with him, I’ll give it a try.”
She wasn’t going to tell Tim how attractive she found Jingles, of course…but he would need to know where she was dancing. He’d find out from Joe, anyway, and she knew he’d want to visit the place and see it for himself. That nearly made her laugh, because poor Tim would stick out like a sore thumb. Nearly all the customers were black or Hispanic.
I’ll explain to him about the clientele. It’s probably not a good idea that he visits.
Carelessly she took a longer drink, then another. Damn, this is good!
Gloomily she wondered why Tim had to be so selfish. She still loved him, but he was almost completely divorced from this side of her life. He’d always hated her stripping. He was focused on himself, completing his degree, and getting his CPA license as if that was the most important thing in the world. He was convinced he’d get a great job…and he seriously expected her to happily stay home and pop out babies like some Suzie-homemaker?
Fuck that! I’m having way too much fun. He just takes me for granted, and he never listens to me. It’s all about him, all the time.
She loved stripping. She loved the easy money, the flexible hours, and she definitely loved getting high. She was only going to be young once, and she needed more ‘living’ in her life.
“Wow,” Jingles said quietly. “You’re having some deep thoughts over there.”
Startled, she blinked a few times, and apologetically shook her head. “I’m sorry. Did I miss something?”
“Not much,” he shrugged. “I was just saying that I’ll call Shane today and let him know.”
“Great, thanks!”
“So what’s on your mind?”
“It’s nothing,” she muttered, and waved her hand dismissively. “Marital problems.”
That made him laugh before draining his soda and handing it back to the bartender for a refill. “You know, I still can’t believe you’re married. You never talk about your husband, and you aren’t wearing a wedding ring,” he said carefully.
She narrowed her eyes. “I am married, Jingles. Happily married.”
Quickly he raised both hands. “Peace, girl, I didn’t mean to piss you off. I was just surprised, that’s all. Tell me about him. How long you been married?”
“Several years now. He’s a nice man,” she added defensively.
“I’m sure he is. Like I said, I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he said easily. “I take it he’s okay with you dancing?”
Her shoulders sagged with frustration. “No, not really. He’s finishing his accounting degree, and wants me to stop dancing and have babies when he’s finally done.”
“Seriously? You’ve got plenty of time for babies!”
“I know!” she nodded angrily. “I told him that today, but he’s so focused on what he wants, he doesn’t take time to understand what I want!” Rebelliously she drained the rest of her margarita, and set the empty glass on the bar with a loud smack.
Jingles laid a hand on her arm. “Take it easy, gorgeous,” he murmured. “It’s going to be okay.”
Crystal closed her eyes and took a deep calming breath, so she didn’t see him nod at the bartender. The margarita had been stronger than she realized, and she was feeling lightheaded and giddy. And though she didn’t want to admit it, she really wanted another taste of Meth. Her hunger for it was growing stronger, and the margarita had made her craving worse.
When she finally opened her eyes again, she managed a faint smile. “I need to use the restroom.”
“Right over in the corner,” he said, pointing past her shoulder. Then he peered intently at her. “Can you make it?”
“Yes!” she snapped, and shot him an irritated glare. “That margarita was just a lot stronger than I thought. But it was so good.”
She giggled and swayed slightly as she headed toward the restroom. One was enough…if she drank another, she wouldn’t be able to dance.
The bathroom was surprisingly luxurious, with plenty of stalls, a nice couch and chairs, and lots of room at the mirror. She checked the time on her phone, and realized she was running late, so she hurriedly left the bathroom again.
Jingles and the bartender were quietly talking when she returned. Another margarita was waiting for her. “Oh, no,” she laughed, and firmly shook her head. “I can’t have another one. If I don’t get going, my manager is going to have my ass.”
Jingles shot the bartender a quick glance, then tsk’d in mock-dismay. “He just made you one of his special drinks, and you’re going to leave? That’s just downright rude. You don’t want to hurt his feelings, do you?” He flashed her a sexy smile. “Besides, I thought you were dancing here tonight.”
She cocked her hip, and glared at both of them. “Forget it,” she retorted. “I know what’s going on here. You’re just trying to get me drunk, so I’ll stick around.”
He put a hand on his chest. “I’m hurt that you’d think such a thing about me,” he chuckled, and motioned to her barstool. “Stay a little longer? Please?”
“Well…” Laughing, she winked at him, and obeyed. “For you I’ll stay. Just for a little while longer.”
I’m going to be late, but Joe will just have to deal with it.
He brought her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, then leaned forward and whispered, “Thank you,” in her ear.
She shivered with delight, then kissed his cheek, and enjoyed the warm feel of his skin against her lips. “You’re welcome,” she said softly.
She’d meant to slow down and savor this drink, but it was so good that she drank it quickly, too. She was feeling no pain when she set the second empty glass on the bar.
Jingles entertained her with funny jokes and dirty stories, and had her laughing and giggling like a schoolgirl. The club had filled up, and the music was playing at just the right volume for her to sway in her seat. She liked the hip-hop music the club played. The majority of dancers were black, but there were a few Hispanic girls, too. She didn’t see any other white dancers on any of the stages.
“It’s late,” he finally murmured. “Stay here with me?”
She was giddy enough to agree without a second thought. “Okay, I’d like that. Thanks, Jingles.”
“You’re welcome,” he said generously.
She noticed the triumphant look in his eyes, but dismissed it. He was a guy, after all, and she’d just given him what he wanted. Her attention was focused elsewhere.
She dug through her purse calmly, at first, then more urgently as she searched again and again. Each time she fished through her expensive leather purse, her hunger for Meth grew, and so did her panic.
“Calling hubby?” Jingles asked mildly.
She shook her head, and kept searching. Then she stared blankly past him, looking frightened…and hungry. “I can’t stay, Jingles,” she exclaimed, sliding off the barstool. The room wobbled around her, and she had to steady herself against the bar. “I’m sorry. I have to go! I’m okay, really!” Her voice emerged high and shaky with desperation for something that couldn’t wait any longer.
“Crystal.” He said her name so low and commandingly that she instinctively turned back. “It’s okay. Follow me.”
He crossed the floor without looking back. Briefly she debated whether she should follow him or not. If she did, their relationship would change…permanently. But what else could she do? She was powerless to fight her lust for him and the Meth cravings that just kept getting worse.
He ushered her into his office, and her eyes widened. It was big and luxurious. Expensive leather furniture filled one whole side, and a monster-huge flat screen TV covered another wall. The other end of his office boasted a beautiful wooden desk with a laptop sitting on it, and TV monitors set into the wall behind his desk. They showed just about every section of the club, and the resolution was excellent.
“Wow!” she whispered.
He crossed to his desk, and punched a few buttons on a keypad. Beneath his desk, a small safe opened with an audible click. He reached in and pulled out a small bag and glass pipe, which he plopped down on the desk.
“Is this what you were looking for, Crystal?”
She shot him a guarded look, but he only smiled and raised his hands. “It’s okay, baby,” he said gently. “You don’t have anything to worry about. I always keep some handy.”
She watched him approach, and her heart rate spiked. Hunger tore through her and left her feeling weak and breathless. She wanted to stay with Jingles tonight, and she really wanted the Meth laying on his desk.
He cupped her chin, and tilted her face up. “Is this what you were looking for?” he repeated, more firmly this time.
She managed a shaky nod, because she didn’t trust her voice.
“Say it,” he softly commanded. “Tell me what you want.”
“Meth.” Her voice trembled with need. “Please.”
“Is that all you want?” Teasingly he leaned down and kissed her cheek, then pressed kisses along her neck and shoulders. Each kiss felt like a hot branding iron, and she nearly moaned as lust welled up inside her. She shuddered with hunger when he lightly nipped her ear.
“Nooo…”
“No what?” he chuckled.
This time she did groan. “No, that’s not all I want.”
He stopped kissing her neck, and looked down at her. “What more do you want? I need to hear you say it.”
“You!” she panted, then eagerly repeated, “I want you!”
He covered her mouth with his and kissed her firmly, passionately. Crystal moaned with giddy delight, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling their bodies together, as she fiercely returned his kiss. She melted against him as his hands explored her lush curves, pausing at her sensitive spots, asserting his control over her.
She yelped suddenly when he massaged her breasts, and lightly pinched her nipples. They were so sensitive!
With easy strength he picked her up and carried her over to the couch. Their lips barely separated as he gently laid her down. Uncontrollable desire and excitement washed through her as she watched him strip off his jacket and shirt, exposing his lean, hard, muscled body. He was so lean that every single muscle rippled smoothly under his dark skin. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“God, you’re sexy!” she whispered breathlessly. “Beautiful!”
She didn’t remember taking her clothes off, because her eyes never left him. But she realized she was naked when he fell upon her. Every touch was hot against her skin, and the contrast in their colors drove her to a panting frenzy.
When he slid deliciously inside her, she moaned loudly, and scraped her nails down his back. “Slow! Oh, shit! Please, Jingles! Please, baby! Go slowly!” she begged.
Holy shit, he’s big! Yes! It’s true! It’s true! It’s true!
She needed a few minutes to adjust to his size, and he accommodated her. It wasn’t long, though, before he was pummeling her…and she loved it, needed it, and succumbed to his beautiful body. He moved her through several different positions, always taking control, and pushing forcefully inside her. She marveled at his stamina as orgasm after orgasm exploded inside her.
Finally he lay on top of her, thrusting powerfully inside her, and she could tell he was close. She arched her hips hard against his, timing it so their bodies slapped against each other, and he penetrated her fully on each thrust.
Suddenly he shouted in delight and shoved in hard, holding himself deeply inside her. It was exquisite!
Feeling him jet into her made her climax again, too, and she bucked and moaned beneath him. She’d lost count of her climaxes as they’d made love, but this one was incredibly powerful, and it rocked them both. She couldn’t remember ever being so completely used, and so unbelievably satisfied. Breathlessly she wrapped her arms around him and held him close. She couldn’t get enough of his body, his scent, and she wanted to make this moment last.
He hadn’t used a condom, but right then she didn’t care. She was on the pill anyway.
She’d resisted having Tim’s children, but Jingles made her feel so submissive that she gladly welcomed the possibility of getting pregnant by him.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
Well, at least I can tell Tim that I won’t be seeing Rowdy.
Jingles will take care of me now!