“What’s the problem?” His voice lowered almost to a sensual whisper, or maybe it was my own imagination. Gorgeous men did surround me, and Maria and I were just discussing sex.
I attempted to explain the situation. “Basically, everything is wet.”
“Oh yeah. It’s all wet over here.” Maria laughed as she came back in front of me.
I displayed my middle finger. “What my friend is trying to say is that it’s flooding.”
“Okay?” he said with a hint of humor. “And you want me to come there, take out my snake, and plunge it into your drain, or do you think I may need to lay down some serious pipe? I’ve been known to maintain an exceptionally good rhythm.”
Maria couldn’t contain herself. She doubled over with more silly giggles and almost dropped her phone.
Impatience covered me like a blanket. I didn’t have time for this. On another day, and maybe if dealing with someone else’s business, then I would’ve been all laughs. However, that morning I faced the difficulty of figuring out a way to solve whatever water damage may have occurred so that I could still open this evening. Plus, I had to discover a new area where I would audition dancers in the next ten minutes.
“Look,” I said, “I’m being serious. Although our conversation may have started off as . . . interesting, I have a real problem. I would like a plumber over here to fix the flooding. I have no idea what is wrong. If you’re not going to take this seriously, then I’ll call someone that will.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. This is serious?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I apologize. The way the entire conversation began and then the rest of it . . . Look, I have a friend who likes to have girls call me up once a month and make lewd plumber innuendos. Greg has problems, but I grew up with him so it’s hard to trade him in for another buddy. I figured you were one of his pranks. I’m so sorry.”
“No.” I waved his apology away. “It’s fine. I’m just a bit annoyed with whatever is going on with the pipe system.”
“Of course. Go ahead and give me your address. Is it a residence or place of business?”
“Business.”
“Okay.” The sound of typing came across the line. “What type of business is this?”
Oh great. Just when all of the sexy talk ended. Here we go again.
“It’s an exotic dance club.”
Silent seconds passed before he finally said, “Really?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. It’s male exotic dancers, not female.”
“Okay. I think that is better. I guess,” he muttered. “It won’t take me too long. I’ll be the guy with all of my clothes on, and holding my big pipe in my hand.”
“Fine.” I smirked. “Let’s just hope your plumbing skills are better than your jokes.”
“Aww. I can’t promise that.” He laughed. “What’s the name of your business?”
“Sin.”
“Sin?” A hint of something else traveled over the line. It could have been a hint of erotic promise or maybe I was just imagining it. “Why Sin?”
I shrugged. “Why not?”
“My point exactly,” he whispered. “I’ll see you soon.”
Chapter 2
Panty Discount
An hour passed.
I’d begun auditions in the club and did my best to not stress about the flooding problem.
Thankfully, the men ignored the mess. Their dreams of money and fame wouldn’t be stopped by a soaking wet business.
There was a path of towels, napkins, blankets, and whatever else I could find to suck up all of the water. It was embarrassing to officially judge the men in such a filthy, puddled-setting, but I wanted to see how they looked on stage and if they could move around the space enough to make it their own.
Thankfully, the floor was done in solid black tiles instead of carpet, so it would dry soon. The real damage came from the men’s bathroom in the far back of the club, right next to the front entrance.
To take care of the sewage smell, I’d lit scented candles and placed them on several tables around the stage. Additionally, I sprayed Douglas’s expensive cologne. If my brother had been here, he would’ve killed me.
Okay. So far the guys are looking good. Today just might not be ruined.
And then sex walked into my nightclub.
He was pure, muscled sex in a full designer suit that formed around him exactly right. His tailor probably cashed bigger paychecks than me. I assumed he was a dancer. What other reason would he need to be in here and looking so damn fine? And not just fine. When labeling this man, one had to form their lips in a particular way so that the word fine came out as fuuiine.
Damn.
A beautifully carved face encased with deep brown eyes. It boasted lips that my mouth suddenly yearned to taste. I had gone all of my life without an urge to suck on a man’s lips, and in one second I wondered why I’d wasted so much time not giving it a try. He had wavy brown hair and a caramel complexion with a five o’clock shadow that I knew, if given the chance, I would run my fingers along the stubble.