“Oh, don’t worry. I will,” Jewella said before she hurried up the dressing room steps.
Dammit! This was going to be a long night. She waited for a few minutes, ready to take her tongue-lashing from Mickey, but he never showed. She ventured upstairs and was happy to see the room was almost wall to wall with happy go lucky men waiting for a show. The music was upbeat, blasting some old school Def Leppard. Baby was put at ease when she spotted Jewella pouting in the corner and Mickey hobnobbing with a couple of thugs in suits. He obviously didn’t have time for his girlfriend’s childish antics tonight.
She made her usual rounds, making small talk with the regulars and making sure to pay special attention to the newbies and good tippers. She was stalling, uncertain how things would play out when she came face to face with Lucky.
Hearing the roar of the Harley as it parked outside the club made Baby’s heart thud loudly in her chest. She touched her fingertips to her lips, remembering the kiss.
It took him less than ten seconds to lock eyes with Baby across the packed room, making the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. His gaze smoldered, blazing with intensity. His lips curved into a slight smile. More like a panty-dropping smirk.
Lucky didn’t step any further into the club. He sported his best bouncer face and settled up against the wall by the entrance, never taking his gaze off her. He left the stool open, and Baby assumed it was for her. She decided to ask Mickey if she was supposed to babysit the new guy again, praying he said yes.
“Hey, got a minute?” she asked Mickey as he scrolled through the playlist.
“Make it quick,” he snapped.
“Trying to figure out my role for the night. Working the floor or babysitting in between sets?” Baby tried to be nonchalant, and not give away how anxious she was to be near Lucky, to smell him and touch him. Thinking about him made her light-headed. The man was intoxicating.
“Yeah, I guess you need to hang with the new guy. Jewella’s in rare form tonight.” Mickey’s head shot up from the binder, glaring at Baby. “And not a word from you.”
“Hey, I wasn’t going to say anything. I don’t need any drama tonight,” Baby protested.
“Me either. Squash whatever shit you have with her. At least for tonight. I don’t need the fucking headache.”
“Fine with me.” She turned to walk away.
“Baby?” Mickey called, stopping her in her tracks. She knew it was too damn easy.
“Yeah?”
“The way that leather grips your ass makes me think maybe I should rethink the dress code around here.” Mickey snickered and went back to his binder.
Baby Jade shuddered in disgust.
Putting on a show, she sashayed her way through the crowd on her way to meet Lucky. She felt his gaze following her every move. She toyed with him, taking her time, swinging her hair to one side. Still feeling the heat of his lips all the way between her legs, Baby knew what the sight of her neck did to him. She giggled as she moved closer and Lucky stood upright, attempting to adjust the front of his jeans without drawing attention to himself, but she knew better.
“Problems?” she asked.
Lucky stepped forward, closing the already small gap between them. “Not a one.”
Damn, he looked good. The spicy smell of musk filled her nose, and she noticed his damp hair. Her first thought was what it would be like to shower with Lucky, taking turns washing each other’s backs. At that moment, all she wanted to do was rip off his black Mom’s Biker Bar t-shirt and soap him up. If she were a dude, she would have to be adjusting her own jeans at this point.
Baby decided this wasn’t the time for their banter. They’d both be insane after the foreplay.
“Thanks for getting the door fixed. Mickey’s in a decent mood tonight.” Baby tilted her chin toward the DJ booth.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to deal with his bullshit either. Besides, I enjoyed lunch.”
Baby tried not to blush, but his undertones made the blood soar, turning her caramel-colored cheeks pink. “Ma’Linn thought you looked like you were enjoying it too.”
Lucky gave his lopsided grin, the one that made her body stand at attention, and did his best to play innocent. “Hell, I probably traumatized the poor woman!”
“Oh please, Ma’Linn hasn’t been traumatized a day in her life. Nothing surprises her. Besides, she thinks I was enjoying it too.”
Lucky turned to place his body in front of hers. “Was she right?”
“I think you know the answer to that,” Baby whispered, pinned to the wall. “She thinks I need to, um … well, enjoy myself more often.”
“Damn, I think Ma’Linn might have become my new best friend!”
“Yeah, the stubborn old woman is a wealth of wisdom.” Baby rolled her eyes and smirked.
She heard the end of Coral’s music and got up to get ready for her set. “I have to go. Try to keep yourself out of trouble.” She shot a glance toward the bar where Jewella and Barbie sat, conniving no doubt. She had no idea what they were talking about, but the two were always up to something. “They’re up to no good. Watch yourself.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I know what I’m gonna be watching.” Lucky wagged his eyebrows and let his gaze roam from one end of the leather to the other. It was different when he did it compared to when other men sneered at her. She wanted to vomit when Mickey ogled her. But when Lucky did it, it made her feel like she was in one of those static machines, with every part of her standing at attention, alive.
Baby stood behind the drapes as Coral made her exit. Her intro music started and Mickey made his usual introduction. She heard cheers coming from the crowd, followed by snide remarks and snickering from Jewella and Barbie.
She closed her eyes and tuned out everything but the music, including Lucky, although he proved to be much more of a challenge. Marilyn Manson’s version of “Sweet Dreams” filled the room and her heart thumped to the beat. The only way she would make it through the next six minutes was to surrender every part of herself to the dance. Baby stepped onto the stage, one hand on her hip, and the other swinging at her side as she sauntered toward the pole. She set her sights on the customers who looked like they had money to burn and worked her magic. The big spenders were easy to spot. They had money to blow and wanted everyone to know it.
Her performance was flawless, as usual. The leather was a big hit by looking at all the tips scattered across the stage. Men were still tossing bills in her direction as she collected the tiny pieces of fabric. She threw a few kisses toward the crowd that had gathered, and headed backstage.
She ran downstairs to slip back into her costume. After making sure everything was in its proper place, Baby touched up her lipstick and grabbed a water from her dressing table. The askew bottom drawer caught her attention. She opened the drawer and found her canvas tote bag in disarray. Her throat tightened at the thought of someone digging through her belongings.
She fumbled through the bag and was surprised to find her wallet still inside. Her money and cards were still where they were supposed to be. Nothing had been taken. That only meant one thing. Baby dumped the contents onto the top of the table until she found what she was looking for.
A small manila envelope with her name penciled across the front sat on top of the pile. A note on the back read, for old time’s sake. Her gut told her not to open it, but Baby couldn’t resist. Unclasping the brad, she popped open the envelope to find a small baggie inside. The blood pounded in her head as she held the familiar bag of cocaine.
She glanced over her shoulder to make sure the room was empty. Her trembling hands were sweating. After months of being clean, it was becoming harder rather than easier to fight the urge, and Slade knew it. She used to find his little presents around the club. He’d go so far as to leave stuff in her apartment. He knew firsthand how Baby Jade operated, like clockwork. It was only a matter of time before she caved.