Rebel (Wolfes of Manhattan 1)

“She has an alibi, but it’s hardly ironclad. She was alone in her apartment at the time.”

Hoss opened his mouth to reply, but the bartender finally got to us.

“House bourbon on the rocks,” I said, “and another for my friend here.”

The barkeep nodded and got to work.

“She seems like a nice girl. I’ve never known you to be so serious about someone.”

“What makes you think I’m serious?”

“You brought her out here, didn’t you?”

“Good point.” I took a drink of the bourbon the bartender had set in front of me.

“So this one means something to you, huh?”

I cleared my throat. “I didn’t come over here to talk to you about my love life.”

“I’m sure you didn’t. Can’t blame me for trying to change the subject.”

“Guess I can’t.”

“So just how much money are we talking about, Rock?”

“Friend,” I said, “write your own damned tick— Oh, fuck.” I set my drink on the bar and walked swiftly back over to Roy.

My brother was red-faced and stiff as a board as a well-endowed stripper nearly suffocated him with her silicone wonders. He squirmed in his seat.

He pleaded at me with his eyes.

I couldn’t help a chuckle. Poor Roy couldn’t relax and enjoy himself. I tapped the lady on her bare shoulder. “Sweetheart, I think you need to try someone else.”

“But he’s so hot,” she whined. “I never get to lap dance a hot guy like this. Only the slobbering fat ones.

“Did he ask you for a lap dance?”

“No, but he was staring at me.”

I pulled a few bills out of my wallet and handed them to her. “He’s not up for anything tonight. Go on to the next one.”

She sauntered off with a smile. She’d gotten what she wanted. Money.

“Roy, you look like a deer caught in the headlights. Not your type, huh?”

“Her boobs were too big.” He laughed. “Well, not too big. Just too fake.”

“Yeah, I’m not much for the fake ones either. Could have been an easy lay for you, though.”

“A lay? They actually let you fuck these girls?”

“For the right amount of money, you can get just about anything here. You want me to get her back?”

“God, no. Though if I’d known a fuck was in the running, I might have been a little more open to it. The idea of a lap dance kind of disgusts me. I don’t want to explode in my jeans like some teenager.”

“I hear that one. They don’t do much for me either.”

“Did you talk to your friend?”

“Shit.” I’d forgotten about Hoss. He’d sounded like he was ready to play ball. “You okay here?”

“I don’t mind watching. They just need to leave me alone.”

“That might be difficult. You’re the best looking guy in here. The male Riley Wolfe.”

“If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been compared to my model sister. Being pretty is part of the problem. Women want someone rugged like you and Reid.”

“Wait a minute. Is that why you think women don’t go for you?”

“What else could it be?”

“Uh…women don’t usually have a problem with great looking guys, Roy. The issue is your introversion. You have “hands off” tattooed across your forehead. Anyone can see it.”

“That’s not true.”

“That is true. Look around. Pick any woman in here. Loosen up a little and let her know you’re interested. I guarantee you’ll get lucky.”

“The only women in here are strippers, Rock.”

“First of all, you’re wrong. Most of the servers are women. As for the dancers, a lot of them are nice girls who just want to make a living.”

“You just said I could get whatever I wanted for the right price.”

“I said most of them are nice girls. There are definitely a few who—” I looked toward the bar. “Shit!”

“What?”

“The guy I was talking to is gone.” Damn. He’d been ready, too, and instead of paying him off, I’d rescued my brother from a stripper.

“Stay here,” I told Roy. “Pick out a pretty girl who’s just dancing and getting tips. Make eye contact. Open up a little. You’ll see what I mean. I’ll be right back.”

“Rock…”

I ignored him and sped to the door. Maybe I could catch Hoss.

I saw him, all right. His bike was speeding out of the parking lot.

Damn. I’d been sure he was going to talk. My own fault. I gave him a chance to change his mind.

I walked back into the club, sighing, but then a smile spread on my face. Roy was talking to one of the servers. Good for him. He’d decided against a stripper. The server was tall and thin, blond and blue-eyed. Fair skinned. A perfect contrast to Roy’s darkness.

I didn’t want to intervene. My brother badly needed to get lucky.

I texted Roy quickly that I was heading home and left him to his night.50LaceyI awoke to the beginnings of an orgasm.

Rock was between my legs, licking and sucking.