The second we walked into this strip club any hate I felt for Eros disappeared. He was my savior and I clung to him like a life jacket. There was a huge stage with almost naked women dancing on it making my eyes burn. I really didn't want to see that. Then there was a woman bopping her head over a man's lap. I stared a moment unsure if I was really witnessing this.
Of course Eros confirmed she was doing things that should be done in private and laughed at me. I didn't care though. I just wanted to leave. My body was burning up in embarrassment and my skin was crawling to run out of here.
I glanced at Eros a few times. He seemed completely unfazed by all the sex and erotic crap going on around us. He didn't gawk at any of the women and I wonder if he even liked this. I just assumed all men got turned on in a strip club.
Star came over to us, but Eros quickly got rid of her. I wasn't sure why he was so mean all of sudden. Back at her place he was insinuating he wanted a lap dance and now he was acting like she was some annoyance.
We walked passed makeup tables with the strippers that just got off the stage performing. They sat topless with nothing but a g-string underwear on talking trash about the customers out there. A few were passing a rolled up dollar bill sniffing what I assumed was cocaine. I clung to Eros even tighter and he squeezed my hand for comfort. Every couple minutes he told me we were ok, or that I was safe. I didn't feel safe though.
The owner meet us in the back and somehow Eros got him to let us look through Damien's old office. My head was spinning from being so uncomfortable I wasn't really registering what was going on. The second he found a key in a fake drawer in his desk my eyes lit up.
"Can we leave now?" I asked about to cry.
"Yeah, we can go." Eros' hand cupped my cheek and I melted right into him. I would had seriously died of embarrassment if he wasn't here with me.
"I don't like this place." I looked at him like a child would her parents. I didn't care if I was being weak or vulnerable. I just wanted to leave.
"I know baby girl. We won't ever come back here. I promise, ok."
"Ok." I nodded my head still staring into his eyes. Why was he so comforting to me when I was upset then the next minute such a jerk to me?
He led me outside and helped me climb into the jeep. The second he got in he grabbed my hand then drove off. After ten minutes of driving away from that horrid place I felt like I could finally breath.
"Better?" He teased with that sexy little smirk.
"Yeah! I thought I was scared at El Diablo. That place was like Hell on earth. How do people actually enjoy a place like that?" I held my chest trying to catch my breath.
"Misery likes company and you're not a miserable person, Ella."
I didn't know what to say. I think he actually said something decent to me and had no double meaning to it.
"Thank you, Eros." I leaned my head on the back of the seat looking at him.
"It's almost over. I have to work tomorrow but Friday we will get the bag and return it to Jose then this will all be done."
"Ok." I smiled watching him drive. He still held my hand and I didn't want to let go. I needed the comfort right now, even though it was wrong to turn to Eros for it.
After what felt like hours of watching him drive he asked, "what are you staring at?" He of course had that sexy smile on. His light skin was smooth with little stubble from not shaving this morning making him look even more appealing. His eyes seemed to shine like stars from his face instantly trapping me under his spell. It really wasn't fair how good looking he was.
"Nothing, just thinking how grateful I am that you always come to my rescue."
He shrugged he shoulders like it was nothing, but it really wasn't. He was always there for me. In high school, at home, even a few times at work he handled some rude customers harassing me. I rarely saw him at college because we didn't have any classes together but occasionally I found him in the distance watching over me.
"You're like my guardian Angel, but with a foul mouth," I teased smiling big at him.
He hummed scratching the back of his neck unsure how to answer me. Was I actually making Eros DeClare uncomfortable?
"My buddy is having a little celebration for his fifth wedding anniversary. Since we are all dressed up want to stop by with me?"
My eyes widened at him. Was he actually asking me to hang out?
"Sure." I couldn't break the smile taking over my face for anything in this world. Wait!
"Are your friends like Damien's?"
He chuckled. "No. Rich isn't a rich city boy either. I think you'll actually like him and his wife." He stole a quick glance making my heart beat a little faster. Then his thumb started rubbing circles over my hand. Why did this have to feel so right?
We walked into an upscale restaurant with a small private room in the back. There were a few tables for people to eat and a long buffet style table filled to the brim with food and glasses of wine.
"Eros! I'm glad you could make it." A man almost as tall as him with black hair and dark skin gave him a brotherly hug instantly peaking my interest. Eros actually had real friends.
"Yeah, we were in and out quicker then I thought. This is Ella, Ella, Rich." He introduced us and Rich shook my hand.
"Nice to meet... wait Ella, Ella. The twelve year old from our work?" He looked me up and down. Did I seriously look twelve. I looked back down at myself.
Eros chuckled. "Yeah, I told you she wasn't twelve."
"No, she is not. It is very nice to meet you. Come meet my wife. I think you will be the first girl of Eros' she will actually like."
Rich grabbed my arm and lead me to a beautiful woman talking with some of her friends. She was short like me with a few extra pounds, but she wore it well. She looked classy yet sexy in her dress and had a warm smile.
"Hey baby. Meet Eros' guest Ella." He kissed her cheek then looked at me. "This is my wife Kristen."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you both." I shook her hand feeling very uncomfortable yet oddly comfortable. Was that even possible? Rich was strange but he seemed genuine and kind.
"Hi Ella. You look beautiful in that dress." She turned me slightly to see the back. "Oh, I just love this dress. You look gorgeous." She saw Eros next to me and took him into a big hug.
"It's good to see you, Eros. Keep this one." She whispered the last part side eyeing me which made my eyes open wide.
"Don't get too attached. We are just friends." He chuckled. "Let's get some food." His hand came to my back and guided me to the long table.
That was the first time he called me his friend. I was nineteen and shouldn't feel this giddy yet I was jumping up and down inside. I really needed to make more friends so I didn't get all weird like this.
We sat and eat for awhile and Eros told me about some of the people at the party. Rich was a cop in the city but lived outside the borders. He and his wife had two young boys and seemed to be pretty decent people. Who would had thought Eros knew normal people?
Rich's wife was a nurse so most the people at the party were cops or worked at the hospital.
"Come on, let's dance." He grabbed my hand and nodded to the little area people were slow dancing.
"I don't know how to." My body tensed immediately. No one ever asked me to dance unless it was back home. That was more like line dancing not slow dancing in the arms of a gorgeous man who made my body jelly.
"It's not hard. Just follow my lead." He winked then pulled me to an open spot. His hands rest just above my butt and it had my body doing things it shouldn't. "See, I got you, baby girl." He kissed my nose then moved his head next to mine. That was the second time he called me that. It was definitely an endearment but why was he saying it to me? I leaned my head to his shoulder and just let myself enjoy my first slow dance with a boy.
"This is nice, Eros. Thank you for bringing me." I said over his shoulder. My body was already relaxed into him and everything else faded away.
"Well, now you don't hate every place I brought you to." He lightly laugh. Did my comment earlier actually affected him or was he just being witty?
"Nope, not anymore." Was all I could think to say. The song ended and everyone started heading back to the tables. Eros didn't let me go though. His fingers were tracing large skinny circles up and down my back and it felt way to good.
"The song ended, Eros." I whispered noticing some people watching us.
Eros head moved up to look around then he stepped back. He scratched the back of his neck, something he did when he was nervous. He was rarely nervous though.
"Hey, come join us." Rich caught our attention and waved us over. Eros gave him thankful eyes and it made me smile at them. They seemed to be close friends that had each other's back.
I sat with everyone for a long time listening to stories of all them. Eros was an animated story teller that had everyone laughing. I don't think I ever seen him so relaxed and just comfortable with people before. He seemed to always have this I don't care or I want to leave attitude at school or with his father's work colleagues.
His hand rested on my knee and the other arm came around the back of my chair. "You good? We can leave if you want?" He spoke in my ear. Jesus his touch and voice had my stomach swarming with butterflies.
"I'm a little tired, but I'm having fun." My eyes were half awake, but I smiled big at him. It was late for me and we already had a long day, but I was really enjoying myself. There were only a few people left now so I knew the night was almost over. I just wasn't ready to leave yet.
Eros smiled at me and nodded his head. His eyes stayed on mine and we stole another one of those moments that made no sense to me.
Then his phone went off in his pocket making him jump. Chrissy's name flashed on the screen making me realize this was so very wrong. Eros cursed under his breath and clicked it off.
"So, Ella, what do you do or are you still in school?" Kristen caught my attention sensing the tension between Eros and I.
"I'm still in school. I work a few hours at a small pastry shop in the city but I want to be an artist."
"An artist? I wouldn't of guessed that. What do you make?"
"Mostly paintings but I started a sculpturing class this semester and I'm enjoying it a lot."
"Sculpting?" Eros asked obviously surprised by my answer. I don't think he ever knew I was into Art.
"Yeah. Monday mornings I rush out the house because it's only available at 7 am."
He hummed looking back down to his vibrating phone. There was ten message already coming through.
"Should we go." I nodded to his phone.
"Nope! She can kiss my ass if she thinks she has me on some ball and chain." Eros was definitely pissed Chrissy was blowing up his phone.
"It's getting late. We should go."
Eros tried putting his hand back on my knee but I moved it away. This was so wrong, even if it was just little touches here and there. I didn't want someone when he still had another he was stringing along. Eros might not care about hurting Chrissy like this but I did. I didn't even like her, but this was just disrespectful.
"Fine!" He stood up obviously annoyed. "I have to get her home. Congratulations to the both of you." He gave them both a half hug and they thanked us for coming.
"Troy's bday is this Sunday. You should bring Ella with you Eros. The kids would love her." Kristen said trying to play matchmaker. I gave her a big smile.
"Thank you. I would love to, but I have a charity event."
Eros had shifted uncomfortably when she invited me so I wanted to give him an easy out. After Friday we will go back to not knowing each other. Besides if he were to bring anyone it should be his girlfriend, not me.
"Oh, that's too bad. If anything changes you are more than welcomed. It was nice to meet you, Ella." Kristen gave me a little hug.
"Hope we see you around more often." Rich gave me a hug saying goodbye.
Eros nodded to them and we walked out.
The drive home started quiet. That uncomfortable quiet like the ride to Red Light. I didn't like this.
"Eros, I know you don't want anything from me, but I do get uncomfortable that you touch me when you have a girlfriend though."
"We didn't do anything Ella so you can relax."
"I know. I'm just saying that if I had a boyfriend I wouldn't want him touching another girl like you did with me."
"I won't touch you again." His phone was still buzzing and he turned it completely off. I could see how pissed he was. I just needed to get that off my chest though.
"And no crawling in my bed to sleep next to me."
This time a sly smirked crept on his face.
"Do you not like me next to you?"
"I do. I just feel like a bad person when you have Chrissy at home."
"Got it." He smiled wide at me and I wasn't sure what was making him so happy, but I liked it.
We pulled on to our street and we could see Chrissy's car in his driveway. I would happily go to sleep and he could fix whatever was going on there. She was definitely pissed standing in his driveway with her arms cross and the look of Satan.
"She's mad. Sorry!" I looked over to him feeling a little bad.
"She's fine. Don't worry about it."
He pulled in my driveway to drop me off.
"Thank you again for tonight." I took off my heels and opened the door. It would be safer to climb out without them on. He watched me amused how I slid down the seat like a little kid. Why was this jeep so high off the ground?
"Friday I'll pick you up in the morning to get the bag. Goodnight, Ella." He gave me that sexy smile and had me smirking like an idiot at him.
"Ok, goodnight."
I walked to my door watching him pull into his driveway. Chrissy started yelling the second he got out. He didn't say anything letting her scream and throw her shoes at him. They were an odd couple.
"Hey princess! Everything go ok?" My dad was in the living room waiting up for me.
"Yeah. We found the key to Damien's storage locker. I think it will all be over Friday." I gave him a big smile. I loved how this man loved me.
"Good! I don't like you hanging out with Eros. I'm glad it's almost done."
"Me too. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight, love you." I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Love you too." He kissed me back. My dad had work in the morning and he never stayed up this late. He must be really worried about me.
I walked into my room seeing Chrissy and Eros fighting in his room. I felt a little bad but I'm sure it will end with them naked. I closed my blinds not wanting to see that and went and got changed.
The second my head hit the pillow my body just relaxed into sleep. I wasn't sure what was happening next store and I knew it was wrong I secretly wanted him to climb in my window to sleep next to me again.
I really needed to get this over with so I stopped fantasying about him so much. It was wrong to think of another woman's man that way. It was even more wrong when my thoughts were mostly of things that actually happened. God, why does he make me feel this way?