19

After going through her closet with Sammie, and napping for a couple of hours, Joey was full of energy. She was also determined to get laid. She’d interrupted Val and Sammie twice now and the pheromones the couple exuded whenever they were close was enough to remind her just how long it’d been since she’d had any action.

“If I don’t come home tonight, don’t worry, okay?”

Sammie shut the cab door and turned to her. She gestured to her long black pencil skirt and short PVC coat that was belted to hide the boned leather corset she’d borrowed. Sammie’s boobs were a cup size bigger than hers, and she was feeling a bit shy about the way she spilled over the top, but trying to hide her nerves. “Looking like this, I’m thinking I might not make it home tonight myself.”

They high-fived and sashayed past the line up outside the club. When Joey saw the big blond hunk just inside the door her pulse jumped and something fluttered in her stomach.

“Hi, Mike.” Playing the part, Joey trailed her fingertip across the bouncer’s muscled chest. “Is it going to be a good night?”

Mike Davis was a fairly new addition to the security staff at the club, and had been her secret crush for the last six months. The first time she’d seen him, was the first time she’d ever been speechless in front of a man.

He was a constant flirt. His close-cropped blond hair and baby face gave him a boy next-door look, but the twinkle in his green eyes said he had a bit of the devil in him. The right kind of devil.

“It’s always a good night when you’re dancing, Joey,” he said with a wink.

“You gonna put that boy out of his misery tonight?” Sammie asked after they were inside the club.

They stopped at the rail overlooking the lower floor for a minute. Joey tried not to stare at Mike where he stood twenty feet away. The dark suit jacket he wore over his T-shirt fell smoothly from his broad shoulders and looked real nice, but it hid his butt. She wanted to see that butt, amongst other things. “Yeah, I think it’s time to go for it.”

“I don’t get why you haven’t gone for it before.”

She shrugged.

“Uh uh.” Sammie stepped in front of her and looked her in the eye. “You don’t get to just shrug it off with me. Spill it, Joey.”

“Spill what?”

But there was no fooling her. “You’re never shy with guys, so what’s so special about him?”

“He’s so… God, it sounds so stupid.” She realized she was twisting her ring around on her finger, a sure sign of nerves. “He’s just so nice.”

Sammie laughed. “Nice is a good thing, Joey.”

Heat crept up her neck and she cursed the gene that gave her red hair and fair skin. “I know nice is good, but I don’t have much experience with nice guys. And as much as he flirts with me, he’s never asked me out. Shit, I’ve never seen him take any girl home from work, either. Maybe he’s gay.”

Sammie turned and looked him over again. “Nope, he doesn’t look gay to me.”

She didn’t really believe he was gay, either. Nope, no way was that man gay. He had way too much testosterone. However, there was no denying he was a nice guy…and she’d always been a bad girl. He’d probably never be interested in a girl like her. A dancer. But, he was a man, and there were few men who would turn her down if she offered them a no-strings night of lovin’. She’d wanted him since she first saw him, and she was going to have him.

“I’ll go flirt with him later. I better get down on the floor first.”

“Joey.”

“What?” She met Sammie’s gaze and felt her blush return. She couldn’t hide anything! Damn it!

“Don’t be a chicken shit. Go talk to him now. Make a date for after work.”

“I have to teach tomorrow. Maybe tonight isn’t a good night after all.”

Samair frowned. “Joey.”

Jesus! What was wrong with her? She’d been hot for Mike for six months and she wanted to get laid. What was the big deal? “Fine. Whatever. I’ll go talk to him now.”

Her heart pounded in her ears and her palms started to sweat as she strolled back to the front door.

Mike saw her coming and turned to face her square on. His mouth shaped a smile and his eyes twinkled. “Hey, Joey. What’s up?”

For her, life was an all or nothing type of thing. If she was going to do something, she didn’t hold back. So, she sucked in her stomach, stuck out her chest and tossed her hair. “Nothing much. I was just standing over there watching you, and I couldn’t help but wonder what you were doing after work tonight?”

His smile widened. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

All or nothing. “I’m asking you to take me home with you.”

A bark of laughter jumped from his lips and Joey’s stomach dropped. “Never mind. Forget I said anything.” She waved a hand and turned away. Before she went two steps a large hand gripped her elbow and stopped her.

“Joey, wait!” He stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh. You just surprised me.”

She held her head up. “It’s okay, sugar. It was just a passing thought.”

“Really? Because I don’t like to be a passing thought, but I do like you.” He crossed his arms over his massive chest and gazed at her steadily.

The next move was hers.

She cocked her hip and flashed him a flirty smile. “Then why don’t we hook up after work and talk about this some more?”

He smiled and her heart skipped a beat. “I’d like that.”