He got out of the cab first and leaned over to pay the driver through the window. She leaned back, enjoying the site of his firm butt. She loved the look of his body. He wasn't perfect but it was his very imperfections that made him more approachable, more enjoyable, more human. He was drastically overpaying on the tip. She laughed silently thinking how much their show must have been worth. She shook her head and followed him out of the car.
A few of her friends were renting a house in the student quarter, a lease grandfathered from their days in college. She still hung out with them on occasion but these days the most contact she had was over the phone every couple of days or so to catch up. Of course any time she needed to vent or consolation she'd call too. They were still her best friends despite the distance estranged professions placed between them. The other dancers at her club treated her well, but the obvious insistence the bosses placed on her lesser status translated directly to the attitudes of those she worked with.
The rumbling bass of the music could be heard clearly as the approached the front door. As it got later the police would inevitably arrive to order the party finished but, unless the attitude of the neighbors had changed greatly in the past couple of months, that remained hours away. Now the lights were low, all replaced with colored bulbs or simply muted by draped fabric. There would be a keg for the general guests and a private stash of something harder for friends like her.
She turned to him as the cab sped off. He looked hesitant to go in, not a surprise since he'd already had to deal with negative group dynamics once tonight. She had known by his expression that something more than simply suggesting strippers as entertainment had upset him. At a guess they suggested her specifically, possibly impugning her virtue in the process. She wasn't positive, but he was the type of man to become hostile to those kinds of suggestions and the anger had been clearly written on his face.
She clutched his arm with both hands and practically hung her weight on him. He barely noticed so she began to direct him forward. He gained confidence as they approached the door until she could finally just hold him, comfortably possessive, by the time they knocked. The woman who answered the door stepped aside instinctively although her expression seeing him was mixed confusion and interest. He was unknown but worth investigating. She couldn't help but cling tighter to his arm as mild jealousy flowed through her. The action brought Patience's attention to bear, her face lighting up with recognition.
"I didn't think you'd make it! You always have to work or else you're off with the guy." Patience looked back up at him understanding registering without removing the interest. Another tiny flare of annoyed jealousy flashed in response to the arrogance. As if she didn't matter, as if some time he would be free of her long enough to swoop in and claim him. "I can't fault you for the distraction." Although the words were directed at her the gruff purr of her voice was entirely meant for him.
Pushing past and into the party she called over her shoulder. "I called to find out what everyone was up to. I wasn't expecting to be able to bring him but things turned out perfectly."
Patience tried to pitch her voice low enough not to be heard. "It certainly did." She heard anyway and bristled. The one among her friends she didn't quite trust had apparently decided he was worth investigating at least. She could only hope for nothing further since the two shared so many physical qualities he enjoyed. Unfortunately her 'friend' carried them slightly better than she did.
She hurried into the kitchen, discreetly tossing the tied and used condom into the trash on her way past. Depositing him by the keg to acquire them both beers, she moved into the crowd in search of her best friend. Claire was easy to spot, wearing the most flamboyant dress imaginable. The woman's philosophy was that if people were going to stare at her for her weight she might as well attract attention in any way she could. She laughed and waved. Claire returned the wave enthusiastically hurrying through the crowd to reach her. "I'm glad you could come! Sucks about the club tonight but it's business I suppose. Besides I won't complain about a chance to hang out with you for a night."
Her smile was tired but she couldn't do anything but agree. Suddenly her smile brightened and she took her best friend's hand, dragging her towards the kitchen. "On a bright note I have a surprise to show you." Claire looked confused but delighted by the upbeat attitude.
Slowly the two worked their way through the crowd and into the kitchen. She knew when her friend spotted the newcomer, 'fresh meat', but couldn't bring herself to be jealous. A spark of pain hit her heart that she could be so insensitive but she simply couldn't see Claire as a threat. The woman was the kindest, most gentle person she ever met, and knew from the occasional boyfriends that she was incredible in bed. It shamed her that some part of her still could not overcome judging her friend's appearance.
Her best friend looked over from him to her standing next to him and the connection dawned. Claire's eyes lit up and she enfolded the confused man in a giant hug. "It's so wonderful to meet you! You can't believe the changes you've made in our little girl here! She's so much happier, much more relaxed, and I haven't even gotten a single late night phone call in a month and a half. I can only attribute that to you taking extra care of her!"
He blushed and looked away, trying to mumble something appropriate. She smiled and had pity on him, interlacing her fingers with his. "This is Claire." His eyes lit up as he finally understood. Now he returned the hug with all his strength.
"She's told me all about you. It's wonderful to meet you too." The two were going to get along wonderfully. "I was afraid her inviting me might be uncomfortable since no one knows me." Finally Claire released him. His arm slid comfortably around the small of her back resting where it had in the cab and drawing her tight to his side. The familiar flush of excitement coursed through her at the blessed contact.
"Nonsense. Look around," she waved a hand at the crowd, "we couldn't possibly know all of these people. It's almost more of a block party than anything. That's why we never get noise complaints, everyone from houses around is here." The two couldn't help but laugh. If she wasn't entirely accurate it certainly seemed close enough given the packed rooms. "Besides, you'd have been more than welcome if it had been close friends only." From Patience that would have sounded like innuendo but Claire said it with nothing but honest truth. "But I thought he couldn't come?"
"Plans changed. It was 'guys night' but I just didn't feel comfortable around them anymore." It was all she could do to keep from jumping in surprise as his hand slid lower to first cup, then squeeze her butt. As the slight tingle faded she almost regretted initiating their torment contest. He now had a distinct advantage with hormones no longer flooding his system. Worse, her inspired actions in the cab only made her more horny while relieving all of his discomfort. She contemplated relinquishing the victory this night to drag him into one of her friends' bedrooms and insisting he follow through with his promise to pleasure her.
