Heart of a Stripper (5 page)

Grabbing the tie holding her hair in the bun, he watched as her long black hair cascaded down to her back.
The men holding beer beside her cheered as she gyrated in front of him. Whipping her hair, she ran her fingers through it before walking over to Mitchell. Standing in front of him, she grabbed his hand and placed them on her hips. Rolling her hips, she then turned and sat on his lap. She wrapped his arm around her and leaned back as she grinded against him. She could feel his erection start to grow in his pants as it poked her. He clutched her tight as she continued to dance on him.

Getting up, she walked behind him and placed her hand on his head before rolling it around. Leaning over, she nibbled his earlobe and he squirmed in the chair.
The men cheered as the other strippers sneered at her from the other side. As the song ended, the men cheered and shoved dollars at her. Everywhere from her G-String, and some even tried to put money in her corset. Mitchell sat a bit dazed as he watched her disappear to the stage. She picked up all of the money lingering in the stage and headed to the back.

Jimmy winked at her as he grabbed the
mic and she ran passed him. He slapped her ass as she disappeared to the back with her hands full of money.

“That was Fantasy!” he replied as the next song blasted through the speakers.
“was she smoking or What?!” he laughed.

Nevaeh pulled her duffle bag out of her locker and unzipped it. Snatching off the mask, she put it in the bag, along with her money. Zipping it back up, she shoved the duffle bag back into the locker and closed it shut before locking it back up. Turning around, she saw Sparkle standing there with her arms folded over her chest. Her skin was a chocolate
, and she had blonde hair. She wore blue contacts and always wore glitter.

“So you think you doing something, pulling shit like that?” she asked snottily.

“I didn’t see anybody with a penis complaining out there.” Nevaeh replied pushing passed her, but Sparkle caught her arm.

Pulling her back, she shoved Nevaeh up against the lockers.

“Listen bitch,” she snapped staring her in the eyes. “You better watch your ass around here. No one’s gonna just let you walk in here and steal all the fucking customers.”

“No, you listen!” Nevaeh said snatching free of her grip.

Shoving her back, Sparkle slammed into the make-up table and a few things skidded off.

“
If you did your job, you wouldn’t have a damn thing to worry about.” She replied walking over to her.

Grabbing her by her extensions, she stared her in the eyes as she pulled them hard.

“Don’t ever fucking touch me again.” She said clearly. “It’s not my fault you’re threatened by my beauty. So keep your insecurities to yourself.”

With that, she let her hair go and turned to leave. Sparkle shot to her feet and started after her, but Honey grabbed her.

“Quit it!” Honey shouted, as Nevaeh quickly left the locker room.

Walking out into the crowd of men, she pushed her way through them and felt a hand grab her wrist. Spinning around to shout, she stopped when she noticed it was only
Mitchell. He saw that she was visibly shaken up. That damn sure didn’t sit too well with him.

“I want a private room.” He demanded.

Looking up at him, she swallowed hard and nodded. Grabbing his hand, she led him to the back. Taking him upstairs, he closed the door behind them. The moment he turned to her, she wrapped her arms around his midsection and held him tight. He stood stunned as his arms dangled aimlessly, not knowing what to do. Taking a breath, he wrapped his arms around her to make her feel safe. It was obvious that something had shaken her up, and he wanted to be there for him like she clearly needed him to be.

“What’s wrong?” he asked after a moment of silence.

Letting him go, she realized that she’d flocked to him for comfort. Something she never searched for in a person. There was no way she wanted him to know was vulnerable.

“Sorry.” She replied pulling herself together.
“Just had a run in with a co-worker who’s jealous of me because I’m young and pretty.”

“Beautiful.” He corrected, and she blushed as she let her eyes slide up and search his face. He was staring back at her and had obviously meant what he said because it wasn’t the first time he’d said it.

“Your show was—”

“Sorry about that out there.”
She said, plopping down on the love seat shaped as red lips. “I was just nervous and I used you as a muse. I know you don’t like that type of crap, so you don’t even have to say it.”

“Let me finish.” He said walking over to her as she looked up to him.

“Although it’s not something I approve of, it was good. More than good.” He said sitting beside her.

She looked over to him stunned by his admission. He didn’t seem like the guy to give credit, where credit was due
when he disapproved. There were definitely a lot of things she wanted to learn about him. With him being her new principal, she was sure that would be easy.

“Really?” she smiled.

“Really.” He responded, still keeping eye contact with her. “Although, I could’ve gone without the kissing.”

“Sorry. I would like to say it was just for entertainment purposes, but I hate lying.” She giggled.

“Well, that’s the last time.” He said clearly. “Kissing is off limits between us. You’re a minor, and not to mention that I’m your principal now. I can’t afford to—”

“I’m technically legal, but I got it.” She insisted.

“Good.” He said, sitting back and looking straight ahead, as they both fell silent.

“So,” he said trying to break the silence again. “Did you get into this for dancing?”

“No.” she said shaking her head. “My answer will always be the money.”

“
Then why not do a day job?” he inquired.

“Let’s not do this, please.” She pleaded.

Nodding, he skidded over to another subject.

“Would you like a ride home?” he pondered, standing up.

“I can’t leave yet, until I make my quota.” She insisted.

“I’ll give you everything in my wallet, if that means I can take you home.” He said pulling it out of his back pocket.

“Why would you do that?” she replied, wrinkling a brow to him.

“You know I don’t like you here. If it means you get a good night’s sleep before school tomorrow
, then I’ll gladly sacrifice it for you. It’s just paper, and you’re my student. I kind of think you should come before money.” He answered truthfully.

“Then you must have a shit load in that wallet.” She giggled.

“Will two grand do?” he asked pulling out a wad of money.

“Hell yes.” She replied, scooting forward.

“Language.” He snapped.

He hated hearing her use foul language. It was unbecoming.

“Sorry.” She shrugged.

“So, let’s go.” He said, holding a hand out to her.

“You know, you really shouldn’t carry that much money around. Especially in this neighborhood.” She replied.

“I usually don’t, but I guess today’s your lucky day.” He retorted
, as she took his hand.

The money was for him to buy Kate a present, as well as pay for dinner. None of that mattered if it meant getting one of his students out of a hazardous situation. He always did whatever he could to ensure the safety of one of his children. Helping her up, they left the room together.

Mitchell waited for Nevaeh in the car, as she grabbed her things from inside. Looking at the time, he knew Kaitlin must’ve been furious with him, but to his surprise, she hadn’t even bothered to call. Picking up his phone, he tried her cell, but it went straight to voicemail. He just assumed her battery had died. Not too soon after, Nevaeh hustled out of the club, wrapped in his coat. She slipped into the passenger seat and shivered. Her teeth chattered as he pulled off.

“Thanks.” She insisted trying to get warm.

“You get cold really fast.” He laughed teasing her.

“I’m from Florida; I’m really not used to cold weather.
”

“Florida’s
nice; I’ve been there for a vacation once.” He replied driving down the dark road. “Why’d you move from there?”

“New scenery?” she retorted, and he heard the hint of a question.

“Come on, you can tell me.” He pushed, looking at her briefly.

“Tell me something about you first.” She insisted.

“How is that fair? I don’t even know anything about you. You already know who I’m getting married to, and my occupation.” He smiled.

“Well you already know I’m a new student at your school
, and that I’m a stripper. So, we’re even.” She replied with a smile.

“You got me there.” He chuckled. “You’re such a smart ass.”

“Language.” She teased, and they both laughed again.

“What do you want to know about me?” he asked, making a turn.

“Why are you getting married so young?” she asked, and he fell silent for a moment.

“Twenty five
is not young.” He grumbled.

“Then neither
is eighteen.” She shrugged.

“I don’t even know where we’re going.” He bit angrily, and she noticed his shift change.

It seemed like the whole question of his marriage was a touchy subject for some reason.

“I live on Badger Avenue.” She replied
, falling silent again.

The rest of the ride was quiet and awkward to say the least.
When he pulled up to her house, she thanked him and ran from the car. He watched her silently as she headed towards a tiny house that was obviously renting out apartments. It was a pale blue, and the damn thing looked as if it would fall apart any minute. The paint was more than chipping off. One floor had a window boarded up while the others were barred. The place was crummy to say the least. He swallowed hard as he watched her unlock the door and disappear inside.

He sympathized with her, and
wished the night hadn’t ended so badly. She was easy to talk to, and had a great sense of humor, but he knew that only meant one thing.

Trouble.

He needed to keep things strictly professional with her, no matter how hard that would be. And he knew it was damn sure going to be hard because he couldn’t get her out of his head. She was such a great person all around. He’d never met anyone like her. She was sexy, smart, gorgeous, and funny all wrapped into one. Gripping the steering wheel, he pulled off and headed to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Kate. He knew he was going to be in a heap of trouble.

Nevaeh had watched
Mitchell sit outside of her house. She stood in the hall of what was called her home and saw him staring at the place. She didn’t want his pity, and damn sure wasn’t going to accept it. She was growing attached to him. He was the better part of moving to the new town she hated. A moment later she saw him drive away. Sighing deeply, she went into her apartment and saw her father asleep on the couch. Okay, so he wasn’t asleep. He was more like passed out, just like every other night. The beer bottle was still dangling in his hand as he sat up with his head tipped on the couch. Slipping passed him; she went into her room and locked it.

Chapter Five

 
  Mitchell sat dazed at his desk. He was barely paying attention to the paperwork in front of him. After going home last night, he was left confused to say the least. Kate hadn’t been home, nor had she been at the restaurant waiting. She wasn’t the type to wait for him anyway, but that wasn’t his issue. The issue that had him confused was way deeper. To the hostess’s knowledge, she had never shown up. He was left with no answers because she never picked up her phone. It only kept him worried because he was thinking that maybe something might’ve happened to her. That was until she called him before he got to work.

But just like usual, he hadn’t said a word. He hadn’t gotten upset and screamed at her like she damn sure would’ve at him. She didn’t even mention the dinner. It was like she had forgotten all about it
and him. But, to be perfectly fair, he had done the same to her. The better part of his night had been spent with Nevaeh, and oh how it had been spent. It left him dreaming of her, and in the dream, she was doing everything under the sun that his mind had come up with. He woke up feeling guilty, but still couldn’t wipe the things from his memory. To be honest he didn’t want to.