Chapter 3

MC~ Ladies and gentlemen we have a special performance for you tonight. Our sweet treat Candy is not here tonight but we have something or should I say someone who is guaranteed to keep your dreams happy for nights to come. This is her first time as a featured dancer so I want y’all to be kind and put your hands together for Wet Dreams.

Mmm yeah
Mmm yeah
Oh yeah oh

As the music slowly began to play Nikolas’ gaze was locked on the stage to see who and why anyone would call themselves Wet Dream. With Lucky’s friends already grating on his nerves the last thing he wanted to do was sit through another performance of a dancer he wouldn’t give a second look to if they were on the street. Why he had even agreed to come to such a place was beyond his grasp yet here he sat watching as another dancer took the stage. Ready to take Kevin’s suggestion and go and sit in their car Nikolas focused his attention on the stage his heart stopping as he took in all of her.

Hey my baby
Why you looking so down
Baby you need a girl like me around
Don’t frown
Hey my baby
Tell me why you cry
Here take my hand and (yeah)
Wipe those tears from your eye

Her heart pounding as she slowly stepped on the stage Gia momentarily froze feeling everyone’s gaze on her. Somehow in the three years she worked at Goldmine she had somehow managed to avoid this very moment. Taking a deep breath trying her best to keep her tears at bay Gia slowly moved about the stage willing the music to overtake her. Slowly untying the sash on her negligee Gia opened her robe revealing more of herself to those in the crowd. The cheers of appreciation rippling throughout the crowd Gia again tried to disappear into herself as she again willed the music to go faster.

Can I talk to you (can I talk to you)
Comfort you (comfort)
Let me know (just wanna let you know)
I care for you (oh yeah)

Willing her to look in his direction Nikolas blocked out all around lost in the sight of her. Never imagining to see someone as beautiful as she Nikolas sat awed not knowing quite what to do. Watching her intently Nikolas saw her apprehension and he wanted to go to her and shield her from whatever was causing her discomfort. Watching as trembling hands went to the straps of her negligee Nikolas stood ready to go to the stage if she indeed needed him.

Can I talk to you (I wanna talk)
Comfort you (gotta let you baby)
Let you know
I care for you (I care)

Touching the straps of her negligee Gia felt as her tears again threatened to overtake her. Dancing at the Goldmine weighing heavy on her soul Gia felt even more degraded as she stood before all slowly removing her clothes. Letting the gown slowly trickle down her legs Gia quickly covered herself shielding all view. Clothed in only a tiny pair of underwear Gia turned her back on the audience slowly going to the pole in the middle of the stage slowly moving against it as she still covered herself. Knowing that when she turned and faced the audience again she would have to remove her hand Gia kept her back to them as long as possible. Hearing them call out to her Gia took a deep breath before slowly turning back to the crowd.

Hey sexy baby
Why’d your girl leave you in pain
To let a fine man like you go
She must be insane
Hey sexy baby
There’s no need to worry
Oh boy if you call on me
I’ll come, I’ll come in a hurry

Looking up slowly Gia commanded her mind to do as Alma had suggested and find a face in the crowd to focus on. Her gaze slowly going around the she suddenly stilled as she saw him gazing back at her. Even from across the room she could feel the intensity of his stare. His dark orbs slowly pulling her in Gia moved closer to the end of the stage slowly swaying to the music as she continued to stare at him.

Can I talk to you (come on)
Comfort you (I love you)
Let me know (oh baby)
I care for you (I love you yes I do)

Staring at him still Gia began to remove her hand covering herself until she felt the rough caress of hand on her leg. Looking down into a gap toothed smile of a drunkened patron Gia again felt tears rush to her. Her eyes rising to lock with his again a lonely slowly made its way down her cheek as she saw a slight shake of his head.

Can I talk to you (I wanna talk)
Comfort you (give me the chance)
Let you know (I wanna let you know)
I care for you (gotta let you know that I love you)

Seeing obvious emotion cross her face Nikolas again felt an urge to rush to her and protect her as best he could. She was in pain and though he did not know her Nikolas felt her pain as she stood before him. Slowly shaking his head in a way to let her know that if need be he was there for her Nikolas paused not knowing if she saw his movements in the darkened club. Moving closer still to the stage Nikolas stopped as he watched as her face cloud over again with emotion.

Hold on (hold on)
Stay strong (stay strong)
Press on (for me baby)
I care for you (I care for you)
Hold on (hold on)
Stay strong (stay strong)
Press on (press on for me)
I care for you (baby)

Harvey coming to stand behind the handsome stranger with a lust filled smirk on his face Gia felt suddenly self-conscious. Never removing her hand from across her chest Gia slowly bent to retrieve her robe from the floor draping it lightly across her body as she continued to move to the music. Harvey’s eyes following her every move Gia moved quickly to the back of the stage as she slowly attempted to leave the stage.

Can I talk to you (I wanna talk)
Comfort you (I wanna hold you tight)
Let me know (just wanna let you know)
I care for you (that I care for you)

Locking eyes once again with her unknown admirer Gia softly smiled as she saw unexpected tenderness on his face. Seeing a tender smile grace her face Nikolas too found himself smiling. Words could not describe what his heart and head was thinking. Who was she and why did she have such an effect on him? Slowly returning to the table ignoring the chatter going about the table Nikolas again trained his eyes on the stage awaiting another glimpse of her. Retreating to the dressing room Gia tied the robe tightly around herself as thoughts of him came back to her. Who was he and why out of everyone in the club was she drawn to him and his gaze? Leaning back once again in her chair Gia closed her eyes his face coming again to her. Blocking out the comments and talk of the other dancers as they once again entered the dressing room Gia kept her eyes closed lost in thoughts of him.

Can I talk to you (ohhh)

Song ~ I Care For You ~ Aaliyah ~ Aaliyah

Chapter 4

As talk continued around the table Nikolas slowly leaned into Lucky whispering softly.

Nikolas- Who was that?
Lucky- According to the MC her name is Wet Dream…
Nikolas- How long….
Lucky- [slowly shaking his head] I’ve never seen her before…
Nikolas- [softly] So you know nothing about her?
Kevin- [laughing] Is the prince in love?
Dancer- Prince?
Kevin- Yeah baby you’re sitting with genuine royalty…
Dancer- Hell I should be sitting on his lap then…
Kevin- [grabbing her around the waist] Don’t you dare…
Dancer- [laughing] You know I’d never leave you baby…
Kevin- [laughing as he kissed her neck] You better not…

Shaking his head as talk again went around the table Nikolas sat back thinking about dancer who had just graced the stage. Repeating her name slowly over and over in his head Nikolas yearned to know more of her. Never having imagined anyone as she in such a place Nikolas wished he would have continued to the stage touching her softly, proving her real before taking her in his arms and escaping from Goldmine. shaking his thoughts from his head Nikolas softly smiled realizing how crazy his thinking had turned. He had no idea who or what this girl was and to run on stage vowing to be her protector was ridiculous. Who was he to say she needed saving and more importantly who was he to try and save her if she did. And yet remembering the emotion in her eyes when theirs locked Nikolas sighed wondering if anything he was thinking had merit. Realizing Lucky was speaking to him Nikolas turned his attention to his brother finally listening to all that he was saying.

Lucky- So what do you think?
Nikolas- About?
Lucky- The private room…
Nikolas- Excuse me?
Lucky- We were thinking about getting a private room and a couple of dancers…
Nikolas- For what?
Lucky- [shrugging] For whatever…
Nikolas- Lucky…
Lucky- Look all that’s gonna happen is we get a private room and a couple of dancers and we get a private show of our own…
Nikolas- Lucky I don’t think…
Kevin- [shaking his head] You’re not invited next time… learn how to have a good time damn…
Lucky- Kevin lay off…
Kevin- No… if I had known your brother was this bad I would have stayed home…
Lucky- Kevin…
Kevin- What the hell is wrong with him? Are you afraid of a lap dance or something…
Jeff- Kevin…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Do whatever you want to do Lucky…
Lucky- Nikolas are you going to come too or….
Nikolas- [calmly as he held his anger in check] Whatever you want to do Lucky…
Kevin- [quickly kissing his dancer on the neck] Then let’s do this…
Jeff- How do we do this? I mean we have to talk to Harvey don’t we?
Kevin- [nodding] I’ll take care of it…

Quickly leaving the table Kevin went in search of Harvey telling him all that they wanted. With Kevin gone Lucky tried to speak to Nikolas to no response. Sighing as he leaned back against the seat Lucky quietly sat waiting for Kevin to return. Rushing back to the table all smiles Kevin flopped down in the booth retelling all that Harvey said.

Kevin- We have the room for thirty minutes…
Jeff- How much?
Kevin- One fifty per dancer…
Nikolas- For what?
Kevin- [slowly smiling] A lap dance…
Nikolas- One hundred and fifty dollars for a lap dance?
Kevin- [laughing] Among other things…
Nikolas- What does that mean?
Kevin- [shaking his head] Nothing… I was just kidding man… let’s go…

Rising to go to the VIP room the group stood by the table looking back at Nikolas who remained seated.

Lucky- You coming?
Nikolas- No… I think I’ll pass…
Lucky- Nikolas….
Nikolas- I’ll pass….
Kevin- You have to come….
Nikolas- [flatly] Why?
Kevin- I got your dancer for you…
Nikolas- My dancer?
Kevin- Wet Dream… the chick just on stage… the one you were salivating over…
Nikolas- Excuse me?
Lucky- Come Nikolas please… this is my last night of freedom and I want you there…
Nikolas- [shaking his head] Lucky…
Lucky- Nikolas please…
Kevin- Hey if you don’t want her… I can handle two dancers…
Lucky- You coming?
Nikolas- [rising as he slowly shook his head] Let’s just get this over with…

Slowly following behind the group Nikolas wondering her reaction when face to face they came.

~*~

Her eyes closed tightly Gia leaned back in her chair as thoughts of him continued to come to her. Something about him was drawing her in but what she did not know. In her three years working at Goldmine she had never encountered a reaction to a customer as had to him. Hearing the other dancers milling about changing into different costumes Gia sat back hoping to sit out the next set wanting to prolong her thoughts of him. Feeling a gentle hand on her shoulder Gia again turned to the smiling eyes of Alma as she softly spoke to her.

Alma- [softly] You ok?
Gia- Yeah…
Alma- I told you it wouldn’t be as bad as you thought…
Gia- [softly] It was worse…
Alma- But I thought…
Gia- I’m glad its over and I hope I never have to do that again…
Alma- But…
Gia- I don’t see how anyone can get up there night after night and it not effect them…
Alma- Gia baby you’re up there too…
Gia- I know but being center stage with everyone looking and watching you… normally I can disappear in the back ground and not have to be deal with a lot of customers…
Alma- [softly]You learn to deal with it…
Gia- I don’t think I ever will…
Alma- When you don’t have a choice… [shaking her head as she forced a smile on her face] hey you want to come over my place after work and help me pack… I have a couple of things for you…
Gia- [softly smiling] What kind of things…
Alma- You have to come over and find out…
Gia- Ok… [after several moments of silence] do you think people look at us differently because we work at Goldmine?
Alma- What do you mean?
Gia- Say you see this amazing amazing man and you want to go and talk to him…
Alma- Yeah…
Gia- Do you think he’ll think less of you because you work at a strip club…
Alma- [softly] Is he a customer?
Gia- Why does it matter?
Alma- [slowly shaking her head] Never mix this job with anything else… it’ll never work out the way you want it to…
Gia- But…
Alma- [softly as she touched her stomach] Listen to me Gia… don’t do it…
Gia- [whispering] Alma what…
Alma- [shaking her head] Just don’t do it…
Gia- [softly smiling as she attempted to change the subject and mood] How am I going to survive with you all the way in Florida?
Alma- You will…
Gia- [softly smiling] I don’t know…
Alma- [gently touching her cheek] You’re stronger than you know… I have no doubt you will make it…
Gia- [gently covering her hand] Alma…
Harvey- Gia you’re up…
Gia- [turning towards Harvey] I’m what?
Harvey- You heard me… you’re up…
Gia- Up for what?
Harvey- Someone requested your services…
Gia- My what?
Harvey- [smirking] Your services…
Alma- What the hell are you talking about?
Harvey- Someone asked for a lap dance…
Gia- [softly] A lap dance…
Harvey- Yeah….
Gia- But I’ve never… I don’t know how to…
Harvey- Well I guess you’ll learn today…
Gia- But you said…
Harvey- [shrugging] I’ve said a lot of things…
Alma- Why are you making her do this? You of all people know…
Harvey- You know what Alma… save it… she can’t hide behind you anymore…
Alma- What?
Harvey- This is her job…
Gia- I never said it wasn’t but…
Harvey- How many of these other dancers get a choice of when and how they are going to dance? None… and Gia don’t either…
Alma- I’ll dance for her…
Harvey- No… he asked for Gia specifically… it’s about time she start working off what’s owed…
Gia- That’s what I’ve been doing…
Harvey- Then I suggest you start doing something on the side because what you’ve been giving me is not nearly enough…
Alma- You really are an asshole you know that…
Gia- [shaking her head] It’s all right…
Alma- [staring down Harvey] No it’s not… you don’t have to do this…
Harvey- [smirking] Uhh yes she does… unless of course she don’t care how Will is doing…
Alma- That’s low…
Gia- [shaking her head] It’s ok… where do I have to go? And who’s asking for me?
Harvey- VIP Room Three… bachelor party going on… you’ll know who’s waiting for you.
Gia- [softly] A bachelor party…
Harvey- Don’t worry you’re not doing all of them… [softly laughing] yet…
Alma- Harvey…
Harvey- She’s owes me not the other way around… so until she works off what’s owed she’s gonna start dancing how and with who I say.
Alma- [shaking her head]You’re sick…
Harvey- Probably… [laughing as he turned and walked away] room three Gia and now…
Alma- [as Harvey left] You don’t have to do this…
Gia- [nodding] Yes I do…
Alma- [grabbing her hand] Come to Florida with me… Harvey will never know…
Gia- [softly smiling] I wish I could but I can’t leave William…
Alma- Gia…
Gia- [softly as she walked away] I can’t leave him…

Blocking out Alma’s calls from behind Gia slowly made her way towards the VIP rooms. Knowing everything would change once Alma was gone Gia knew she had to get used to how things would be now. Alma for whatever reason was able to stand up to Harvey and get what she wanted but with now leaving Gia would be on her own and as much as she wished she could avoid it she would have to once again learn how to survive on her own. Maneuvering along the narrow hallway that lead to the VIP rooms Gia took a deep breath before going inside. Looking around the room Gia watched as various dancers slowly gave lap dances to smiling men below them. Watching as hands and mouths slowly slid over one another Gia fought the urge to turn and run to Alma begging her to take her with her. Her gaze going around the room once more Gia’s eyes landed on him as he stared back at her. Her heart pounding rapidly Gia slowly made her way to him staring down at him. Unable to stop herself Gia gently reached out caressing his face as she softly smiled at him. Having seen her from the moment she walked into the room Nikolas sat frozen unsure of what to do and/or say to her. And now as she stood before him softly caressing his cheek Nikolas stared up at her awed by her beauty. His hand slowly covering hers Nikolas too smiled as he felt her effect on his heart and head. Remembering the emotion from before and seeing the uncertainty still Nikolas stopped her as she moved to straddle him.

Nikolas- [softly] No…