Wicked Innocence (Wicked Innocence 1)

Lining the center of the room we little podiums, each with their own pole. Small lights surrounded the bases of the podiums. The main stage was up the front, with a short runway extending down into the seating area. What really hit the spot were the thick, red velvet curtains hanging behind the stage and the painted-on tassels decorating the red walls.

Throw in the deep red carpet, and the place was very . . . red.

Dancers were rubbing against the poles, wearing little more than tiny G-strings. I glanced at Sax and let out a giggle. The poor guy looked mortified, like he didn’t know where to look.

“You’re finding this very awkward, aren’t you?” I said with a chuckle.

He shot daggers at me. “And you’re fucking loving it,” he growled. He was right—I was enjoying his discomfort immensely. “Can we go over there and get a drink or something?” he asked, nodding toward the bar.

I giggled and nodded.

Everywhere I looked were breasts and, in some cases, everything was on show. Despite the little I knew about strip clubs, I got the feeling this wasn’t the finest establishment in the world.

Some of the girls looked young and fresh—not much older than me. Others? Well, let’s just say I admired their confidence and leave it at that.

I slipped onto the seat next to Sax. The barmaid—who was topless—walked up to us, and I giggled as Sax sighed loudly. He hated this. I love that he was so uncomfortable with me being there. As childish as it was, I felt like it was payback for the way he reacted after our kiss.

“Do you want something to drink?” he asked. I wanted to laugh. He still couldn’t look at me?

“A soda,” I replied. “With vodka,” I added. Hell, I felt like being bad. I crossed my arms over my chest as he ordered our drinks. “We’re really not even looking at each other now?” I finally asked.

“I’m sorry, Micah. I don’t want things to be weird, it’s just…I don’t know what to say. I shouldn’t have kissed you and I feel like a royal asshole for not having more resolve.”

“It’s fine. I get it.”

He reached out and grabbed my arm. “I don’t think you do. I like you, but I have to put the band first—and then there’s your age.”

Right. He was my manager and he was ‘

too old’ for me. I let out a laugh. Imagine if he knew I was actually four years younger than what he thought I was.

I reached for the drink the barmaid had set in front of me. “It’s all good. We’ll pretend it never happened.” I stood up and gave him a smile. I could be civil and act like there was nothing between us, but I didn’t have to like it.

“Where are you going?” he asked, a twinge of annoyance in his voice.

“What business is it of yours?” I shot back. “I don’t see you hounding after the others.”

“That’s different,” he growled. He stood up, his lips only inches from mine. “You’re my responsibility while we’re on tour.”

“Fine, but that doesn’t mean I have to sit with you. I don’t need a babysitter.” I stormed off, walking over to the edge of the stage where the other guys were sitting, drinking and laughing as some chick performed a rather impressive routine with a pole.

I plonked down on the seat next to Liam and sighed. Who the fuck does he think he is? He infuriated me. And I knew the only reason for that was because I liked him.

Out of the corner of my eye I could see Sax moving in our direction. I groaned internally. Was it too much to ask for a little space from the guy? Just as he reached us, a busty blonde wearing only a sparkly G-string approached us.

She smiled playfully, curling a strand of her hair around her index finger.

“Can I interest any of you in a lap dance?” she purred, eyeing up the guys.

I stood up. “I’ll take one.”

Sax’s eyes widened in shock as the blonde led me away. The rest of the guys cheered. I had no idea what I was doing—all I knew was I needed to not be in the same space as him for five fucking minutes.

She pushed me into a booth and sat me down in a red velvet armchair and proceeded to try and mount me.

I giggled, embarrassed. “You don’t, uh, need to do this. I was just trying to make someone jealous,” I said, blushing.

She rolled her eyes as she fondled her breasts. “Honey, I’m on camera. If I don’t perform I don’t get paid, so you might as well sit back and relax. Who knows? Maybe you’ll enjoy it,” she smirked. She turned around and stuck her ass in the air, flipping her hair back and forth as she slowly removed her G-string.