John treats us all really well. Won’t let anything happen to his special girls. There’s a strictly no hands policy at the club, if they catch any of the punters touching any of the girls, they get thrown out and barred. There’s just one simple rule we have to follow...no getting involved with the punters. John said it was bad for business, mixing personal lives with work. He didn’t care what we got up to outside the club as long as it didn’t involve a paying customer. Which suited me just fine until last week. Then he happened. He walked into the club...you could tell he was a first timer. There’s just something about the way the react to seeing a load of practically naked girls dancing on the podiums. I have to admit, I knew I was in trouble from the minute he walked in. I had a funny feeling I was about to break the golden rule and fall for one of the customers. Problem? You bet! He caught my eye and smiled and that was it. I was head over heels for the guy. He was absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Like HOT! I didn’t even know his name, but believe me I wanted to. I wanted a lot more than just his name. As my set came to an end, I slid off the stage and walked over to the bar.

“Yo, . Get me a drink please babe if you’re not busy.” I nodded and jumped over the bar, pouring John a double scotch. I didn’t understand how he could drink the stuff, I hated the taste and the smell. “Thank you darling. There’s a guy over there, wanted to know your name. I said you’d go over and talk to him when you get changed.” He indicated in the vague direction of the cute guy. “Cool, I’ll be out in five.” “Oh, .” I spun back round to face him, catching the keys to the office with one hand. “Don’t forget about the rules, I’d hate to have to fire one of my best dancers.” “Don’t worry about it. I’m cool. Catch you later.” I walked off backstage, swinging my hips a little. I knew John was watching me, and I knew how to calm him down. I was one of the only girls at the club that knew exactly how to handle him. I got changed quickly, removing all the stage make-up I was forced to wear and throwing the dirty tissue in the bin. I looked in the mirror, groaning at the sight before me. If that guy had wanted to get to know me before, he’d be having second thoughts if he saw me now. Well, better go and test that theory. I took a deep breath as I opened he door to the office and stepped back into the club, looking around for John.

“Are you off ?” “Yeah, I just wanna go home, have a hot shower and go to bed. I’ve got an early start tomorrow.” “Alright babe. Looks like you’ve got yourself an admirer.” I turned around to see the cute guy staring straight at me. “You go girl. He is HOT!” “Shut up! He doesn’t like me.” “ , honey, he hasn’t stopped staring at you since he came in. I thought the poor man was going to have a heart attack or something when you went off to get changed.” “Yeah, well, that’s just my tough luck, isn’t it. He’s a paying customer, and you know how John feels about us getting involved with them.” “Screw the rules and screw what John says. You’ve gotta live a little, and if I had a guy that hot after me, I would pack the job in and get in there.” “As tempting as that sounds, I need the money.” “Bullshit. You’re just scared of letting someone in.” “I don’t even know him.” “Yeah, and you never will as long as you’re sat here talking to me about it. Shit, I’ve got to go babe, I’m on in ten. Look busy, he’s coming over.” “WHAT?! , don’t you dare...hi.” “Hey. I’m .” “ .” “Can I buy you a drink?” “Er, I don’t mean to sound rude, but I have a really early start tomorrow and I’ve had a long day. I’d just like to go home.” “Oh. That’s fine. Will you be here tomorrow?” “It’s my day off tomorrow.” “Oh, ok. Well, I guess I’ll see you around then.” He turned to walk away and I instantly felt guilty for brushing him off. “ , wait!” He turned back with that smile on his face again. God, why did he have to smile? “Er, here’s my number. Give me a call later on and maybe we could meet up somewhere.” I scrawled my number onto his hand. My own hands were shaking so much from the nerves, I could barely write the numbers. “Thanks. I’ll see you later, maybe?” I nodded and looked up, meeting his eye. I was painfully aware of my burning cheeks, and I was praying I wasn’t too obvious I was blushing like a schoolgirl. I walked out of the club, stopping just past it to lean on the wall. “Holy fuck! He’s gorgeous.”

I was completely aware of the fact that I could lose my job because of this guy, but I wanted him so badly. Every inch of me was dying to find out exactly how good he was. Naturally, when the phone rang, I pounced on it. “Hello?” “What happened? Did you speak to him?” “ ! Put the phone down, he could be trying to call right now.” “You really like this guy don’t you?” “Yes, I do, so please don’t spoil it for me. I’ll talk to you later.” I put the phone down and went into the kitchen to get a drink. Get a life , he’s not going to call right away is he? Just as I was scolding myself, the phone rang in the other room, and I ran in, tripping over the sofa as I picked up. “Hey.” “Are you ok? I just heard a thud.” “Yeah, I’m fine. I just dropped something, that’s all.” Yeah, myself. On the floor. And it bloody hurt. I tried to focus on the conversation as I rubbed my sore knee. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out for that drink. If you’re not busy, that is.” “No, it’s cool. I’m free whenever.” “Well, would it be ok if I came to pick you up in about half an hour?” “Sure.” There was a slight pause. “Yeah, , I’m not psychic babe. I don’t know where you live.” “Oh, right, yeah. Sorry, I’m in a world of my own. It’s 719 Bridgestock Avenue. It’s the big white house with the huge gate outside.” “Cool. I’ll see you in half an hour then.” I hung up, realising that I had exactly half n hour to get ready. FUCK!

After a lot more scrambling around the house and painful fallings over, I finally stood in front of the full length mirror in my room. I’d straightened my hair and it was now falling loosely around my shoulders. My make up was subtle but enough to cover any blemishes and dark circles under my eyes. I’d opted for my favourite dress over a knee length skirt and top. I didn’t want to look like I’d tried too hard, but at the same time, I didn’t want to look like I couldn’t care less. As I picked up my handbag, the doorbell went and I opened the door to find standing there with single red rose in his hand. “Thank you.” “You look stunning.” I blushed and looked down at my feet. This was definately too good to be true. “So, where are we going?” “There’s this bar I know just up the road. It’s really cool, all the people are really friendly. I think you’ll like it.” Well if you’re with me, goddamn right I will. I’m going to be the envy of every girl there tonight. He held his arm out and I linked it. Well what do you know. Good looking and a perfect gentleman. Did this guy have any flaws? “I’m sorry but I have to ask. What is a gorgeous girl like you doing working in a strip club?” “Earning money. What’s a guy like you doing visiting those kinds of places. Didn’t your mother tell you that they’re bad?” “No, interestingly enough, she neglected to mention that in our many conversations about the birds and the bees.” Ok, so that was kind of a silly thing to say. At least he has a sense of humour. “I didn’t mean to offend you.” “You didn’t. And I’m sorry about earlier at the club. It’s just, my boss is really strict about who we get involved with. He wants us to be performing at our best so he gets more money. He’s really iffy about guys coming to talk to us.” “Ah, I see. I’ll just have to try and keep away then, won’t I?” He smiled, and I just felt like I was going to burst. I didn’t want to be outside in a public place with him. I wanted to be back at my place so I could drag him off to bed.

*several hours later*

“I’ve had a really great time tonight. Thank you.” “Yeah, we should do it again some time. Anyway, I’d better leave you to get some rest. I recall you saying something about an early start tomorrow.” Just say it . Just ask him to come in, how hard can it be? “Yeah. Uni and all that. Does nothing but waste out your money and tire you out.” “Well, I’ll call you about arranging that date.” “Ok, I’ll be waiting.” Stupid girl, why didn’t you say anything. Look, he’s still close enough, just call him back. Do it! “ ?” “Yeah?” “Would you like to come in for a bit. It’s just, we’ve been outside for quite a while, and it’s cold. I wouldn’t want you to get ill or anything.” “Er, yeah, why not?” He walked back over and I held the door open, barely having enough time to step aside. He brushed past me and my heart rate almost tripled. “Drink?” “Nah, I’m alright, thanks.” “Ok, I’m just going upstairs to get changed, make yourself at home. I’ll be two minutes.” I ran upstairs, grabbing my pyjamas from my room and walking into the bathroom. I stood opposite the mirror, splashing my face with cold water. Calm down . Don’t blow this. Just breathe. I know how super unbelievably hot he is, but don’t do anything stupid or you’ll scare him off.

I made me way back down to find sat on the sofa flicking through the sports channels. “Sorry I took so long. I couldn’t find my top, I had to make do with this.” I signalled down at the vest top I was wearing. His eyes nearly popped out of his head and I suddenly felt very self-conscious. “I didn’t mean to…your…sorry.” “It’s fine. They’re there to be looked at. Besides, you’re my date for the evening, which means you have more right to look at them than any of the guys down the club.” “Right, well, I’d better go anyway. You’re not the only one who has to wake up early tomorrow.” I followed him to the door, standing in front of it and twisting a strand of hair around my finger. “Er, you’re kind of blocking my way out.” “Do you like me ?” “Yeah, I do.” “In that case, I’m sure there wouldn’t be a problem with you staying the night…unless you have better things to do that is.” He swallowed hard as I bit my lip, looking up at him seductively. “It’s nothing that can’t wait.” I took his hand and led him upstairs. This was so unlike me, I wouldn’t normally break John’s rules, but this guy was hot. I opened my bedroom door in silence and pulled him in, kicking it closed behind us. Our lips only left each other’s for a second as I pulled his t-shirt over his head. I pushed him down onto my bed, reaching over and switching the CD player on and flicking through the album until I got to the song I wanted.