Page 31 of Strip Search

It’s time Cole got a taste of his own medicine. I’ll step out there on the stage and pretend I’m performing a private show, just for him. He thinks I’m too innocent? Too pure? I’ll show him how that I’m none of those things. Maybe then, he’ll change his mind aboutusonce and for all.

Fuck. I’ve lost my damn mind. The shot of Fireball from a little bit ago has gone to my head, and not in a good way. My voice of reason has clearly made a bargain with the devil. Getting a dig in on Cole is not worth this humiliation.

Especially not when the last three weeks have been a mix of chaos, stress, and progress; even where the two of us are concerned.

The minute the music starts, and I walk out – I know that I’m going to wish I had taken option two and let Dallas stage my death and put me into Witness Protection because of Cole’s reaction alone.

He is not going to see any reason why this was the best option, nor will he find any humor in my thought that it may attract him to speed things up between us.

The track volume lowers slightly, and the MC’s voice blasts over the speakers. “Alright, alright, alright, tonight we’ve got a very special attraction for you. Gentleman, I hope you're ready for her Inaugural performance. You’ve seen her around, working the floor. Now give it up for...HARMONY!”

Jason Aldean’sShe’s Countrybegins to play, and I take that first step into the spotlight.

Something feels off immediately.

My eyes roam the crowd, and the first thing I notice is that Cole’s not in his usual spot. He should be here by now. I felt safe that my place in the lineup tonight would happen after he arrived.

Nerves continue to churn in my stomach while I try to maintain the count in my head and work through the routine like I’ve rehearsed while I scan the room again hoping to find him.

Nothing.

He’s not here.

My gut is screaming at me that this is all wrong.

I contemplate running off stage and hope like hell that Dallas can quickly save me somehow, but then, I spot Cole coming into the room. His eyes immediately lock on mine as I untie the shirt I’m wearing and shimmy it down my arms before flinging it to the edge of the stage.

Among the catcalls and whistles, he stops dead in his tracks, and suddenly I feel empowered.

Somewhere a switch flips.

The way he’s looking at me. The mix of desire and anger spurs me on. Earlier nerves are completely gone as I reach for the button on the tiny denim shorts and pop it loose to the sound of whoops from my audience.

When my thumbs tuck into the sides of my shorts, Cole begins moving again. A man on a mission, in my direction. The two bouncers in front of the stage try to stop him, but he muscles his way past.

Great security we’ve got working this place.I think to myself.

Next thing I know, Cole has scooped me up in his arms as he stomps backstage. I can feel the anger radiating off him as he grabs one of the robes from the rack that the strippers use to cover up after a performance. Tossing it over me, he continues to stomp down the hall with me in his arms.

I’m pretty sure, this is bad. Very bad.

It’s dark, and I’m trying to let my eyes adjust from being nearly blinded by stage lights when I hear a door slam shut behind us and then he sets me down on my feet. The robe he tossed over me, falls to the floor leaving me in the barely there sheer bra and the unbuttoned shorts that I never had the change to take off.

“What. The. Fuck. Was. That?” he bellows at me.

I want to respond, but the only thought running through my mind right now is how incredibly sexy he is when he’s angry.

Unhappy with my lack of response, Cole begins pacing the room. “Goddamnit, Molly, answer me. What the fuck were you doing out there?”

“Stripping.” I finally find my voice. “You wanted a dirty girl. I can be that for you.” I’m clearly still running on an adrenaline high, and my common sense has not returned. “That was all for you.” I give him a saucy wink.

His pupils dilate and his nostrils flare. “You’re telling me, you stepped out on that stage tonight to prove a point to me?”

~*~

Cole

“Mayyyybe,” Molly answerscoyly, testing my patience even further.