After waiting the following week for my next paycheck, Jessica, Nate, and I got dolled up to pay to Apocalypse. It was a thirty-minute ride from Manhatten to New York City, and when the taxi pulled up in front of the club, I grew excited as we waited in the 2-hour long line.
When we stepped inside, I noticed they had decorated the club with a gothic vibe with black walls, red trim, silver accents, and black booths and tables. From the ceiling, these amazing orb globs hung from chains that gave a warm yellow glow.
I was pulled through the crowd of people and then shoved into a U-shaped booth as Nate and Jess slid in beside me with smiles on their faces.
After ordering three beers and some potato skins, I settled into the booth as the lights began to dim. A sexy man, who I recognized as Abaddon, walked onto the stage wearing a white suit with silver trim and a matching hat that accentuated his dark skin.
He was a lot taller than I thought, possibly around six-foot-two, and his facial hair was a well-trimmed pencil-thin ring that goes around the mouth and the chin. It also connects to a pencil-thin beard maintained along the jawline up to his sideburns.
"Howdy folks, and welcome to Apocalypse! For those who don't know who I am, My name is Abaddon Horsemen; I'm sure all are dying for some great entertainment, so without further ado, I give you Burlesque!"
I froze like a deer in headlights when Abaddon looked right at me and then gave me a wink that had me squirming in my chair as my panties grew moist.
"My god, he is sexy," Nate commented as he fanned his face with a sigh.
I nodded, then said, "I totally agree,"
When the curtains opened as the dancers stepped out, I was enchanted by the sight of the stage as they lip-synced and danced to the music. I pictured myself up there doing what they did, and it brought a smile to my face. I could totally see myself singing and dancing on the stage.
As the night wore on, the music got louder, and the energy in the club grew more intense. I found myself drawn to how the dancers moved and commanded the stage with their bodies. I felt my heart race with excitement as I imagined myself up there with them, moving and grooving to the beat.
It was then that I noticed him. Beel Horsemen, the first brother, was standing at the bar, scanning the room with his piercing gaze. He was even more stunning in person than he was in the pictures. How his muscles bulged beneath his suit jacket made me feel weak in the knees.
I tried to look away, to focus on the dancers, but my eyes kept darting back to him. I wondered what it would be like to have him touch me, to feel his muscles against my skin.
As if he could sense my thoughts, Beel turned his gaze towards me, and our eyes locked. My heart raced even faster, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks. He held my gaze momentarily, then returned to his drink. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching me, even as I turned my attention back to the stage. I felt a thrill of excitement run through me, wondering what it would be like to be with a man like him.
"I think I want to be a Burlesque dancer," I told Jessica.
"Really?" She asked, "They are basically fancy strippers, and I guarantee that most can't even sing."
"It's a lot more than just fancy stripping, Jess. I mean, look at the smiles on these people's faces."
"Angel, you aren't Cristina Aguilera," Jessica says sternly, "Do you think you can just make your way up there and find yourself a sexy bartender who likes to write music? And what about your dream to be an actress on Broadway? Didn't you want to be like your mom?"
I rolled my eyes and sighed before saying, "I know this isn't a movie, Jess, and don't bring my mom into this. I failed the audition for Broadway, but maybe I was meant to see this. Maybe it was fate that led me here."
"Just try it," adds Nate, "If you get in, that's great, but if you don't, that's okay too. It won't hurt to see if this is something you want to do."
I smiled, then wrapped my arms around his waist to pull him in for a hug, "Thanks, Nate."
"I still think it's a mistake," Jessica says as she leans back with her arms crossed.
I just shrugged, "It's better than waiting until next year to reaudition for Broadway," I explained, "And as Nate said, it doesn't hurt to try."
"Come on, girls," Says Nate, "We are here to have a fun night out. Now let's save the serious talk for tomorrow."
I nodded, then said, "Good idea, Nate. Will one of you order me a drink while I'm in the loo? I gotta tinkle."
Jess nodded, "Yes, I can do that,"
"Thanks, Jess; I will be right back."
I slid out of the booth, then shoved my way through the crowd as I followed the signs to the restroom. After taking care of business, I was on my way back to my table when I was cornered by a man closer to my age who was as drunk as a skunk.
"Hey, baby, how about we find a corner and make out," he says, making me gag with his alcoholic breath.
"No thanks," I said, trying to pull away.
I winced when he tightened his grip on my wrist, then dragged me toward the exit that led into an alley. I pulled and pulled, but there was no give. I was about to use my taekwondo to escape this situation when a man materialized out of nowhere and grabbed the drunkard to pin his arms behind his back as he shoved him to the floor.
I gasped in shock when I recognized my savior, none other than Beel Horsemen. I stood there transfixed as he bared his teeth at my assailant, then turned to look at me with those sexy hazel eyes of his.
"Are you alright?" he asked in a deep, commanding voice that made my heart skip a beat.
I nodded, feeling weak in the knees, as he helped me regain my balance. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, and my body responded in kind.
"Thank you," I managed to say, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
He nodded, his gaze intense as he looked me over. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized just how attracted I was to him.
After Beel handed the drunkard off to a bouncer, he approached me and reached out to look at my wrist, which was starting to bruise.
This man had a scent that was hypnotic and was so tall that he had to be at least six and a half feet tall with an anchor-style beard and mustache that accentuated his handsome face. He wore an outfit similar to Abaddon's but a pale green accentuated his eyes and skin color, with a matching hat cocked to the side.
Beel shook his head at the sight of the darkening bruise, "Tisk, tisk, you are not fine at all," he said as his eyes seemed to burrow into my soul.
"I'm honestly just fine, sir; it doesn't even hurt that much," I explained, then shivered as goosebumps ran up my arms as he lightly rubbed his thumb against the sensitive skin of my wrist.
"Don't call me sir," he says as he leans down to press his lips to my wrist, making me gasp, "Call me Beel."
"How can I call you that when we just met?" I asked.
"Because I said you could," he purred as he ran a knuckle down my jaw, making me light-headed, "You should come upstairs with me."
"I can't; I am here with my friends. They are probably starting to worry about where I am," I explained, "But I really am thankful for you saving me."
"Let me walk you back to your table," he said, taking my hand in his.
I could feel his warmth spreading through me as we made our way back through the crowd. Every touch and breath had my heart racing faster and faster; it was like nothing I had ever experienced before.
As we approached my table, I could see the disbelief on Jessica and Nate's faces. For them, this was just another night out, but it was something else entirely for me. Something that I couldn't quite put into words.
"Is everything okay?" Nate asked, eyeing Beel warily.
I nodded, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks as Beel stepped forward. "I'm Beel Horsemen," he said, extending his hand.
"Nate," my friend replied, shaking his hand.
"And this is Jessica," I said, introducing my other friend.
Beel nodded, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. "It was a pleasure meeting you," he said before turning to leave.
As he walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing. A longing to be with him, to explore the chemistry that had sparked between us. It was then that I realized that maybe, just maybe, this was my true calling. To be a Burlesque dancer, to explore my sexuality in a way that I never had before.
When I plopped down next to Nate at the booth, they both looked at me in relief.
"Are you okay?" asked Jess.
"You look a little flushed," says Nate.
I felt my face burn as what hit me like a tsunami, "I'm okay," I said, "I think I drank a little too much."
They looked unsure but dropped it as they turned their attention back to the stage.