Page 15 of Ball Buster

“That’s more than one question. Pole is left over from a bachelor party. Stage is for bands when we can afford to host them.”

“That pole has got to go.”

“I like the pole. Really classes up the place don’t you think?”

“You’re a pig.” She shakes her head and I snort like the animal she thinks I am.

“Most women love a man who acts like an animal.”

“Yeah. In bed. Not a jackass in public.”

Chapter seven

Vada

Every idea I give him to make the bar better he shoots me down. Says we can’t afford it. I’m about to bang my forehead down on this bar top.

“The bar is about two months from having to shut down unless there’s something in that Will to save our asses tomorrow, we need to come up with a plan to bring in some money fast. We’re spending more than we bring in. And I get you got great ideas but this ain’t that type of place. I don’t want crotch goblins running through the bar and fucking up the felt on my pool tables. Need you to respect that was never the intention when we opened the doors.”

There’s a lot I want to say to that but he’s right I do need to respect that this is his baby even if I am now part owner. There’s got to be some compromise though or like he said the place will go under.

He moves off to handle the bar and I stare at my notebook hoping for inspiration.

Every few minutes I glance up from my notes to find Solo staring at me. It’s unnerving. He’s doing it on purpose. Trying to make me uncomfortable. He looks at me like he wants to fuck me, and I can’t control how my body reacts to the thought of him making a move on me. Its wrong. I shouldn’t be attracted to him, but I am. He confounds me. He makes me feel things I shouldn’t. There’s a thin line between love and hate. I don’t know which way I’m leaning toward the most. How can someone I’ve only just met have me reacting so strongly every single time we come into contact. I’ve heard of love at first sight. I’ve never been a believer though Millie says that’s how it was for her and Tim. The moment they met they had this spark and it’s true they’ve been together ever since, and things moved fast between them.

Does my spark have to be with a man I’m not sure if I despise? And one I can’t be with at that.

Would be my luck.

I look at the pole and get a stupid idea.

I go to the jukebox and find a song that’ll do.Pour Some Sugar On MebyDef Leppard.

Solo is busy talking to the delivery guy named Dutch as I kick my shoes off and go up on the stage.

The music starts and I wrap a hand around the pole, doing a slow turn. Whipping my head side to side I close my eyes and allow the music to guide me.

I’m no professional by any means but if he wants to keep this pole then we should I don’t know use it. Millie and I took a few pole classes before she married Tim. She wanted to surprise him with a sexy dance on their honeymoon, so I learned a thing or two. This place isn’t going to be what I would want but I’m going to embrace it and make the best of it.

I move around the pole more than likely making an idiot out of myself but whatever. There’s no one here to impress right now and it isn’t as though I’m going to take my clothes off or anything.

The sound of a piercing whistle cutting over the sound of the music followed by a whoop and a clap has me opening my eyes in time to witness Solo shoving this guy named Dutch then stomping toward me.

He unplugs the jukebox. The music stops abruptly.

“What are you doing?” He grabs me by the elbow, practically dragging me off the stage.

“What’s it look like I’m doing?” I glance past him wondering what has him so pissed off. I don’t think the two old coots at the other end of the bar give a shit. “Let go of me.” I go to jerk out of his hold, but he pulls me in close pressing the fronts of our bodies together. I get another whiff of his cologne and my insides tingle.

Solo’s breath blows over my lips as he breathes heavily. My heartbeat vibrates in my ears like the wings of a hummingbird. I peer up at him as he towers over me through my lashes as he leans down, his mouth merely an inch from mine like he’s leaning in to kiss me which is ridiculous. And yet part of me aches for it.

Burns from the inside out at the thought of him putting his hands on me like he did that blonde.

“Didn’t peg you for a slut.” His words cut through my veins like a knife and my blood runs cold.

“Screw you.”

“You wish, babe. Bet if I checked I’d find you wet and ready for it.”

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