Stripped Bare (Vegas Billionaire 1)

“Because I like your pussy better,” I say, earning a gasp in response. I get up from the table and call out to one of my potential investors, leaving her there to ponder my comment before bringing back one of the developers that I’m hoping to work with. When I introduce them, Macey switches to work mode. She starts asking him about his job, his day and laughs at his ridiculously stupid jokes. I never asked her to be like this, but I’ll be damned. Macey is selling me to this guy and all I can see is dollar signs.

When the band starts up, he asks her to dance. She looks to me for approval and I nod, reminding him to keep his hands above her waist.

As soon as I sit down to watch, Brandy takes Macey’s vacated seat.

“Who is she?”

“An old friend.”

“I have to say, Finn, when I spoke to Hannah about tonight I was pretty hurt to find out you were bringing someone else.”

I motion for the waiter and ask him to bring me a rum and Coke. Wine is fine for dinner, but now I need something stronger.

“Unfortunately, Brandy, I can’t do anything about your feelings.”

She scoffs as if the slam doesn’t mean anything. “You and I both know we’re stronger together than apart.”

Brandy is right, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to be tied down to her. I like women and know I wouldn’t be faithful to her.

“Well, this week my time belongs to Macey.” I leave the table as soon as I see Brady approaching Macey on the dance floor. I don’t care what he’s doing or if he’s my best friend, she is off-limits to him.

“Dance with me,” I say, pulling her into my arms and away from him. She molds into me, her fingers clutch the lapel on my tux. “You amazed me back there.”

“It’s what I do when men come into the club. I become their friend, their therapist and the person their wife isn’t.”

I pull her closer and nuzzle her neck, not wanting to touch that statement. I may have dressed her up, provided her with expensive clothes, but deep down she’s still a stripper.

11

Macey

This is how I dreamt my prom night would be: me in a beautiful dress, dancing in the arms of a man who makes my insides tingle and my knees weak. Instead, I was home and the attire for the night was baby puke, a holey T-shirt and sweatpants. Even if I had gone back to school, not a single guy in my class would’ve taken me to prom knowing I had a kid. And even if they did, they would’ve done it only because they were betting that I was a sure thing.

I don’t want to like Finn. In fact, I want to hate him. I want to yell and scream at him while punching him in the chest. He’s better than anything I have ever touched or had the pleasure of knowing, and after one day the fantasy of being his is already too much to bear.

We sway to the music, moving around the floor effortlessly. He even spins me and pulls me back into his arms and into a dip.

“Are you having fun?”

“Yes, I am. That man I was dancing with, he likes you.”

“Mr. Cordova likes money and I’ve been a good return on his investments. I’d like for him to invest one more time into my next venture, but the market is not favorable right now so I have to make sure to keep him in my sights and have a flawless business plan.”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about, Finn.”

“Mhm, I do like the way you say my name.” His head falls to my shoulder and his lips leave a blazing trail of kisses along my skin. I have never wanted to taste a man’s lips so badly until now, and his stupid rule prevents me from doing so.

He hums in tune with the song, holding me close to his body. I don’t know if he is doing this because he’s hiding his erection or if he truly wants to be this close to me. I can try to pretend all I want that his touch doesn’t affect me, but I’m certain he can already sense the change in my heartbeat.

When the song is over, Finn leads me back to the table. Our dinner plates have been cleared away and dessert is being served.

“Right on time,” Finn says, pulling my chair out.

“I think I’m going to go use the ladies’ room.” I set my hand on his chest, letting it linger there for a moment. He nods and points toward the door.

“Take a right and walk down the hall.”

“I’ll be right back.”

I bunch my dress in my hand to make walking a bit easier and as soon as I step through the door, I lean against the wall to gather my senses. There are people bustling around, some dressed up while others are wearing shorts and T-shirts due to the heat. A few women walk by and compliment me. I smile warmly and thank them, and wonder what they would think if they saw the real me. Would they be so quick to give me compliments if they saw me in my normal attire?