I wasn't sure how I felt about strip clubs. At thirty years old, I'd still never patronized an establishment where women removed their tops and danced on a stage for a room of mostly horny dudes showcasing their half chubs. It's not hard to see why I refrained from going. But the Friday before my birthday, the guys I worked with invited me to The Pussycat Lounge downtown near the office. Perhaps it was my open penchant for beautiful women or having been treated like "one of the boys" by the rest of the IT department, but their idea of a celebration was taking their token lesbian friend to see some tits and ass. In all fairness, I didn't put up much of a fight. In fact, my curiosity piqued at the mention of taking me, and after thinking about it for all but ten seconds, I replied, "why the hell not?"
Devon was the director of our department, while Eric and Johnathan worked as software engineers like myself. After work let out at five, we walked to a bar for some drinks before heading to the club.
"Happy birthday, Jesse!" Devon pulled out a wad of singles and placed it in my hand. "Don't spend it all on one girl."
I gave a chuckle and tucked the cash inside my dark blazer. "Uh, thanks Devon. I'll try not to fall in love with a dancer."
The guys laughed uproariously and ordered a round of shots. The club had a two drink maximum and they wanted to get a buzz going before heading over. By my second beer, I was already feeling something, though I wasn't sure if it was the booze or any lingering apprehension for the night ahead.
"Are you nervous?" asked Jonathan. He tried to suppress a shit eating grin.
I rolled my eyes. "Nervous to see naked women? Please." I kept my cool, but the truth is, I
was
nervous. The thought of a dancer flirting with me, even for money, was enough to cause my hands to shake. I'd been with plenty of women, sure. But if there was one thing I knew about strippers, it was that they were never shy, which I unfortunately was.
After downing the whiskies, Eric gave my back a hard pat. "I fell for a dancer once in Reno. Her name was Valentina and she had the biggest pair of-"
"Alright," interrupted Devon. "I think it's time to walk down there. Finish your drinks and let's go."
The Pussycat Lounge's entrance was dully lit, with hues of purple cast over the doors and concealed windows. The marquee proudly displayed its name, with a section welcoming a new dancer named Gabriela who would be performing at seven every night. Devon covered the group's entry fee and led us through a hallway that ended at a curtain.
"Ladies first," he said with an extended hand.
I pushed through the fabric and took in the space as I walked inside. It was smaller than I thought, but nearly every candlelit table was filled with men in suit coats sitting in chairs upholstered in velvet. The majority of the room was lit by red or dimmed lights, but the stage-which held a single pole-had been illuminated in blue.
"It's nice in here," I said to Devon as he stood beside me. He gave a smile and nodded.
"Only the best for my hardest working employee. I got us a table, follow me."
We walked towards the far side to a circle table adorned with a "reserved" sign. The women who was finishing her dance took a few bills from a stoic faced businessman and stuck it in the waistband of her thong with a sultry smile. After her song ended, she stepped off and went into a back room while someone collected the cash scattered across the stage.
Eric ordered a round of beers and looked at his watch. "It's almost seven so we'll get to see that new dancer.
Gabriela,
I remembered.
Sounds hot.
After getting our drinks, we cheered to my upcoming birthday and first strip club experience. My anxieties began to fade, and for a moment, I felt at ease in this new environment. The emcee came over the speakers and announced their next dancer, and I turned my chair towards the stage with interest.
When Gabriela walked up the steps, I felt my smile drop. She was gorgeous with her curly dark hair, slim figure, and black ensemble that complimented her tanned complexion. From a distance I could see a black gem in the shape of a star on her cheekbone. As her song began, I noticed it was some old school R&B that set the mood just right. She twirled around the pole with one arm, and I was instantly mesmerized. I could hear the guys tittering-I'm sure I wore a look of engrossment, but I didn't care.
When she spun upside down and spread her legs, I could feel myself growing aroused. I thought,
Jesus Jesse, you're no better than a man.
She moved so effortlessly, like working the pole was as easy as taking a breath. After she climbed off to take cash from a gentleman who stood there waiting, she stuck it in her garter with a smile that caused me to throb.
By the second song, she revealed perfectly round tits and I imagined myself running onto the stage to run my tongue over her pink nipples until they were stiff with desire.
I heard my name and turned to the guys with a creased brow. "What?"
Devon pointed to the stage. "Go tip her you lesbian lothario. She only does two songs."
Until this second, I had forgotten all about the money in my pocket. I quickly removed the cash and took out a decent amount before returning it to my blazer. Not wanting to show any misgivings in front of the guys, I rose from my seat and walked to the stage, my hand holding the stack of bills now trembling. After a man finished tossing a few ones at her feet, I stood in his place and held out the money, which she quickly picked up on. She smiled and got on all fours until we were eye level.
"Thank you baby," she said before taking the cash into her mouth.
I must've had a look, because she giggled as she stood and placed it in her garter with the others. I quickly turned around and headed to the table as her song ended, hearing the guys laughing from afar.
"Oh no," said Eric, wiping his eyes of tears. "We told you not to fall in love with a stripper."
I scoffed. "I'm not in love with her."
"Mm-hmm. Whatever you say." Devon pursed his lips and shrugged.
Their insistence was annoying me and I pointed to the hallway by the bar. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom. Can someone get me another beer?" Before they could answer, I walked towards the restroom in a huff.
As I came out of the stall and washed my hands, I looked in the mirror and shook my head.
You idiot, she's paid to be sexy.
Thinking about it, I couldn't help but laugh at my tendency to drop at any pretty woman's feet.
Upon returning to the table, I saw a few women flirting with the guys. I sat down and felt a little better about my accidental crush now that her dance was over.
One of the dancers came near and placed her arm around me. She was dark skinned and striking in her lavender two piece and eye makeup.
"Are you the birthday queen?" she asked.
I gave an uncomfortable chuckle. "Yup that's me."
She began rubbing my shoulder and drew closer. I could smell the sweetness of her perfume dabbed on her wrists and neck. "I think you'd like something a little more private for your big day."
Devon raised his hand. "Don't worry, Phoenix, she's already booked for a private dance...with
