Chrysalis, p.8
Chrysalis, page 8
After watching her drive out of the lot, I went to my own car and put my bags in the trunk.
I had just closed the back hatch when I heard yelling from a few cars over. Not wanting to intrude, I lowered my head and tried to walk by.
As I passed by the large SUV, I saw Paxton standing next to it, screaming into a cell phone. He caught my eye and I froze in place.
Speaking more quietly to the person on the other end, I heard him say, “I’ll call you back.” He snapped his phone case shut, and slid it into his back pocket. The headset from the microphone was resting around his neck, still attached to the clip on his buckle.
He approached me cautiously, staring me down, not breaking eye contact, until he was just a few feet in front of me. Without my heels on, he towered over me. I inhaled sharply at all his sexy tallness. Then he scanned me from head to toe and back up again.
“Would you please stop doing that?” I said with just a hint of annoyance.
“Apologies. You’re just somethin’ to look at.” He didn’t seem apologetic, but then his tone changed to one of genuine kindness. “You look pretty.”
His words were soft and sweet, and they made me nervous. So, I lashed out. “Don’t you have a wife?”
I instantly regretted the words.
His eyes went dark, and the easy banter was replaced with hostility. “Had.”
I shuffled uneasily, realizing I should probably continue back into the theatre.
Then he spoke again. “Have. Kind of. It’s complicated.” He dropped his eyes to the ground, lost in thought.
I wasn’t ready to tell him I remembered him. This was a really weird place to have that conversation. It was all weird, actually.
Trying to bring the conversation back to a safe place, I asked, “Are you joining us girls for dinner?”
“I think it’s more like you’re joining us for dinner.”
“How can you go from being nice to being an ass so fast?”
“Language, Charlotte!” He laughed at me.
I pushed past him and headed back to the theatre.
He called after me. “See you at dinner!”
The rest of the show wrapped up quickly and I helped Solara, Erin, and another girl named Story from the Phoenix location, box up the gift bags.
“What happens with the rest of the stuff?” I asked Solara as she stacked boxes onto a flat pushcart.
“A crew will come in tomorrow and pack everything into a rig. Then they move on to the next location.”
“The next location?”
Solara paused and smiled at me sweetly. “We do these events all around the country. This season just started and it will finish Labor Day Weekend. Our world championship event is in Irvine, California.”
“I’m so impressed, Solara. I had no idea.”
“We’ll tell you all about it over dinner. You ready to go?”
I nodded that I was, and waited with her while Erin and Story gathered up their things. Erin looped her arm through mine and we followed Solara and Story out into the parking lot.
Paxton had pulled the black SUV up front. He jumped out of the driver’s side when he saw us and held the passenger door open. Erin announced, “I’m going to ride with Charlotte.”
Solara stepped up into the passenger seat, and before Paxton could shut the door for her, she told me to follow them. Story stepped into the backseat without a backward glance, and Erin cringed.
Addressing me, Paxton said, “I’ll wait until you pull up before I drive away.”
His voice was more kind. I couldn’t breathe. His presence was everywhere, and the gentler Paxton was someone I did not have the strength to resist. So, I just nodded and steered Erin to my car.
When Erin and I had buckled up and I pulled out to follow Paxton, she let out a bellow. “UGH! I hate that girl!”
“What? Who? Solara?” Her outburst shocked me.
“Gah! No. Story. She’s such a tramp.”
Oh no. This was not something I wanted to get in the middle of.
Paxton had waited for us. When he made eye contact with me in his side mirror, I nodded and he turned out towards downtown.
Erin’s phone chimed and she looked at the incoming text. Saved by the bell.
“Solara said we are going to Brenner’s on the Bayou, in case Paxton loses you.”
I nodded and stayed close to the SUV.
Erin continued with her rant. “She was friends with Paxton’s ex-wife, or something, and she keeps trying to console him. It makes me want to vomit.”
Her head was resting back against the headrest, eyes closed. She looked like she was nodding off.
The adrenaline from earlier in the day was gone, and I was suddenly incredibly tired myself. The quiet was a welcome reprieve from the music and the hustle of the dressing room. I relaxed in my seat and followed Paxton at an easy pace, until Erin came back full force with her thoughts.
“She started about the same time as Myla. I think they both worked in the same strip club. Myla was apparently the sweeter of the two, or more deceptive. But both of them had a thing for Paxton. I think.”
I tried to cut her off. “Erin, it sounds like you don’t really know the whole story. You do this often. You really shouldn’t gossip if you don’t know. How do you know all this?”
She had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed. “You’re right.”
I side-eyed her, indicating I knew she was avoiding the question.
“Fine. I just heard things,” she pouted. “And she’s never been very nice to me anyway. So, for that reason alone I don’t like her.”
Paxton turned into a driveway that led to the restaurant and stopped in front of a valet stand.
I stopped my car and said to Erin before we got out, “Just ignore her. It isn’t worth getting all worked up over someone who doesn’t even live here.”
The valet opened my door and I unbuckled my seat belt. “Now c’mon. I’m hungry and I need a glass of wine.”
Solara and Story had walked ahead. Erin walked in front of me, and Paxton placed his hand at the small of my back, escorting me in.
My emotions were pinging around again. I couldn’t decide if I should stop abruptly so he would walk into me, or if I should speed up so I could breathe.
When we reached the entrance, he stepped quickly ahead of all of us, and held the door open. Solara was oblivious to his gesture. He smiled down at me as I went through.
While we waited for a table, Paxton stood unnecessarily close behind me. I crossed my arms in front of me defensively. The restaurant was loud with late dinner and bar patrons.
“Have you been here before, Charlotte?” He spoke softly so only I could hear.
Glancing over my shoulder at him, I was eye level with his chin and had to raise my eyes. “A few times.”
“Anything you recommend?”
The hostess approached us and directed us to our table. As we walked, I said, “The quail is really good. It’s wrapped in bacon.”
He chuckled behind me. “Well, yeah, it’s bacon. You could wrap a piece of cardboard in bacon and it would be good.”
Solara reached the round table first and indicated I should sit in the chair next to her. Erin sat to my right, and Story sat down next to Solara. I guess the negative feelings were mutual.
Paxton held my chair for me and waited until I was seated before taking the seat between the two frenemies.
The conversation before dinner was mostly technical. I learned that not only was Story a friend of theirs, she was their Operations Director. She coordinated all the events, arranged lighting and sound, made all the hotel and airline reservations… Essentially, she did everything.
Every now and then she would reach over and touch Paxton’s arm or his thigh. She would laugh robustly in a forced way, and I could feel Erin tensing up next to me.
Sliding my foot over towards her, I gently pressed my toes to the side of her foot. She visibly relaxed.
Paxton ordered my recommendation and he smiled at me as the waiter took away his menu. Nervously I sipped my wine. He had looked at me in that same knowing way the day I watched him step into the limousine.
Dinner was served and the conversation turned to the talent at the competition.
“Did you see Cheeky Warbler today? She was sick!” Solara was so enthusiastic, it was hard not to smile at her. “She was talking about entering an exotic competition for Irvine.”
“What’s an exotic?” I asked her.
Paxton was still grinning at me. Story was not.
Solara leaned over her chair-arm towards me. Up close I noticed she had the same sprinkling of golden freckles as Paxton and I almost missed what she was saying.
“What you did today was more fitness pole. It’s technical and fun but not quite… naughty.” She said the last word in a conspiratorial tone, and then she laughed.
“And exotic is…?”
Paxton finished my sentence from across the table. “…naughty.” And then he leaned back in his chair and smiled smugly.
I clenched my sex and squirmed in my seat. Good lord, I needed to get away from him.
Raising her glass of wine, Solara gently tapped her knife against the base. “If I could… please raise your glass to our new friend, and no longer a virgin pole competitor… Charlotte Chase.”
I blushed at her words, and heard Erin giggle next to me. “To Charlotte.”
Even Story smiled thinly and toasted.
And Paxton grinned his knowing grin and raised his glass to me. “To Charlotte.”
The waiter appeared to clear our plates, and Solara ordered another bottle of wine.
“Seriously, Charlotte. You did great today. You really should do another event. Challenge yourself.” Solara would have made a great cheerleader and I told her so.
“HA! My mother would never let me cheer in school.”
Feeling suddenly guilty, I almost told them that I took dance at their mom’s studio, but Solara continued before I had a chance.
“You really should do more events. Dani can do so much more for you.”
“Maybe. This was fun, but I really need to focus on my job. Get back to my real life.”
She looked confused and a little hurt. “Real life?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… Well, I don’t have a lot of time to do another program.”
She smiled sweetly in understanding. “I get it, I do. But you should think about it.” She looked at Erin for confirmation. “Right, Erin? She should dance more.”
Erin hugged me. “Of course, you should. What would I do without you?”
Paxton glanced at her, and smirked in a teasing way.
Solara addressed her brother. “What do you think, Paxton? She did great today, didn’t she?”
He shrugged. “Enh, it was cute.”
My stomach dropped, a deep knot clutching my insides.
“Cute? She was amazing.”
“What do you want me to say, Sol? It was Demi Lovato. It was cute.”
My face flushed and I took a drink of water. No longer able to look him in the eye, I fidgeted with my napkin and looked at my lap.
Solara took up my defense. “Don’t tease her. This was a big deal for her.”
They went back and forth about the reasons that people dance, and what do you know about it, and he’s just a stupid boy, and she’s always taking in strays…
No longer able to sit and listen to them arguing, I put my napkin on the table and slowly stood to leave, saying quietly, “If you guys will excuse me, I think it’s time I headed out.”
Solara stood to hug me. “I’m so sorry for my asshole brother. I think you’re incredible, and I would love to see you dance again.”
“Thank you.” My eyes burned from holding back the tears.
Erin started to rise. “I’ll go with you.”
I put my hand on her shoulder to keep her down. I didn’t want a witness to my crying. “No, stay. Enjoy the rest of your evening. I’ll see you next week.”
Paxton stood from his seat, a flash of remorse in his eyes. Not able to look directly at him, I nodded in his direction, said my goodnights, and walked quickly out of the restaurant.
The valet took my ticket, and I hugged my arms tight around me. I choked and the tears started to fall. I’m so stupid, I thought to myself. Out loud I said, “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”
“Charlotte.”
I looked behind me, startled, and saw Paxton coming down the walk. I turned back to wait for my car, wiping away the tears on my cheek. “What do you want, Paxton?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Well, good. Now go away.”
My car pulled up against the curb, and the valet came around the front to give me my keys.
Paxton gently grabbed my elbow and addressed him. “She’ll be right back.”
He gently steered me down the path around the side of the building. When we were out of sight from the front of the restaurant, he moved us into the shadows of the sycamore trees. Illuminated by the up-lights in the landscaped area, we were surrounded by soft lighting.
I shook off his arm and he stepped back from me. Stoically, I stood waiting for whatever he had to say to me.
“I…” he started. I waited. “I really am sorry, Charlotte. My behavior has been… unlike me lately, and I’m sorry.”
His admission gave me strength to tell him how I really felt. “You have been the horriblest person to me since the first time I met you.”
“Horriblest isn’t a word, Charlotte.”
I turned to leave and he gently held my elbow again.
“Don’t run off.”
I stopped and waited.
“You’re just so… stunning. You should dance more. You’re good.”
I leaned into him. His head dipped lower towards me and he whispered. “Next time, though, you should dance like you want to fuck.”
Shaken, I pulled my head back, raised my hand, and slapped him. “You’re disgusting.”
His head went to the side and he put his palm to his cheek, rubbing out the sting. His eyes took on an amused look, and he said, “Then dance like you want to fuck me.”
I raised my hand to slap him again and he caught my wrist, turning it behind my back and pulling me close up against him. My chest rose and fell, and I wanted nothing more than for him to put his mouth to mine. Adrenaline rushed through my body and I almost wept with need when his lips hovered over mine.
He spoke slowly, and softly. “The next time you slap me, you better mean it.”
We stood pressed against each other, both of us trying to calm down. He slowly released his hold on my wrist, his fingers lingering softly as he stepped back from me.
For a moment, we both just stared at each other – my eyes wide.
He trailed his fingers to my hand. “C’mon. I’ll walk you back to your car.”
I cautiously took his hand, and he helped me back onto the path.
When we reached my car, he took the keys from the valet, tipped him, and escorted me around to the driver’s side.
He cupped my cheek and rubbed his thumb across my bottom lip. I stared at him wide-eyed and felt him reach behind me, opening my door. Speechless, I stepped in and buckled up.
He spoke so softly when he said, “Goodnight, Charlotte.”
Chapter 10
I woke the next morning, staring at the ceiling fan spinning around. A tremendous feeling of loss was consuming my thoughts.
It was just another Sunday, yet it wasn’t. I was changed. But I didn’t know what to do with the differences. There was no place for me in the pole world—no place for me in my old world. So, I sat in the middle. Confused.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
Rolling my head to the side, I smiled at Mark’s pretty, perfect face. “Good morning.”
He scooted over the bed, buried his face in my neck, and started kissing me. “You smell so good.”
Giggling, I whispered, “What are you doing?”
“I’m kissing you.”
I closed my eyes. “Mmm, that feels nice.”
His lips made their way down to my collarbone, and he pulled the spaghetti strap of my tank down off my shoulder. I closed my eyes and relaxed into his gentle kisses. “You have the prettiest skin.”
Dark eyes teased me. ‘You look pretty.’
God bless! He was everywhere. I opened my eyes and scooted over onto my side, facing Mark and forcing him to stop kissing me.
He frowned. “You okay?”
I ran my finger between his brows, smoothing out the wrinkle. “Yeah, just a little tired still.”
Propping himself up on his elbow, he suggested we go to brunch.
“That sounds nice,” I said.
“We haven’t done that in a while, and, well, I’d like to spend some time with you. Just the two of us.”
“I’d like that, Mark.” I tucked my hands under my cheek and smiled at him sweetly. He pushed the hair off my face.
With tenderness, he kissed the tip of my nose. “Get up then, lazy. I’m hungry.”
I took my time getting ready, blowing out my hair and picking out the perfect outfit.
As I applied lotion, I noticed all the bruises on my upper arms and thighs from gripping the pole. I wouldn’t be wearing a sundress.
Instead, I dressed in a lemon-yellow jumpsuit, culotte-style, with long billowing sleeves. I felt pretty and feminine and was rewarded with a low whistle from Mark as I descended the staircase.
When I reached the bottom step, he enveloped me in a hug, and I relaxed into him. “Ready?”
I nodded my response. He held my hand as we went out the back door to the garage.
The ride to the restaurant was peaceful. Mark was his former adoring self, and I thought that maybe he had come around regarding my dancing.
My phone pinged with an incoming message. I ignored it.
“You can check that if you like.”
“I’ll get it later. It’s probably not important.”
We rode in silence for another mile or so, and he reached over to take my hand. Raising it to his lips, he kissed the back, and then said, “You know, we should start planning the wedding now that you have some free time.”
I tensed and had to force myself to relax. “Yes. Yes, we should.”
