“Ignore her,” Violet mutters, running her fingers through her long blonde hair. “You’re doing fine. Some guys are just douchebags who need to be put in their place.”

Amen to that.

Freddie, the owner, pops his head inside the door. “Ginger, you’re on stage in five.”

Awesome.

Chapter 7

Aspen

A grunt fills the air as Leo grips my hips and pumps into me one last time before he collapses against the headboard. “You’re going to kill me one of these days.”

We’re currently holed up in a hotel room because I refuse to go to his house and screw him while his wife is home.

There are many lines we’ve crossed by being together but crossing that one just feels…wrong.

Leaning forward, I fold my arms around his neck. “Come on, Leo. You’re not that old.”

Scowling, he gives my hair a gentle tug. “Brat.” His expression turns serious. “Did you come, honey?”

“Yeah,” I lie, running my fingers through his sweaty salt and pepper hair.

Truth is, the only time I orgasm is in my room at night when I’m touching myself, but Leo doesn’t have to know that.

While the idea of fucking him is exciting because it’s so taboo and forbidden…the sex between us isn’t why I do this.

He runs his hand down my naked back. “Do you have any idea how special you are to me?”

His words make me smile. “No.” My nose crinkles. “Why don’t you tell me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Aspen.” Brown eyes hold my gaze as he tips my chin. “Anything.”

I close the distance between us, crashing my mouth against his.

Deep down, I know I shouldn’t believe his pretty words laced in lust—because all men lie when they want to hold on to something.

But not Leo.

There are no pretenses between us. We both know exactly what this relationship is and what it isn’t.

Grabbing his hand, I place it on my tit and grind my bare pussy against him.

“I’m gonna need some more time if you want to go again,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Unlike you, I’m not a teenager.”

Edging away, I look down at his flaccid cock. “I bet if I suck it, you’ll be ready for me.”

Closing his eyes, he groans. “Dammit. You’re killing me.”

I unstraddle his lap and shift so my mouth hovers over his cock. “You can’t die on me yet.” I lick his crown, tasting myself on him. “I’m not done having my wicked way with you.”

His fingers tangle in my messy hair. “Shit.”

Pulling his tip into my mouth, I look up at him. “Leo.”

I want him to say it.

I need him to say it.

My nerves light up when he finally does.

“Good girl.”

I slide my mouth down his length, hoping he’ll get hard again for me.

“Honey,” he whispers after another minute passes. “I’m sorry, but it’s not going to happen right now.”

I try to hide my disappointment as I flop onto the mattress. “It’s okay.”

Reaching down, he palms my naked breast and gives it a squeeze. “Tomorrow night.”

I’m about to agree, but then I remember tomorrow is Friday and one of the busiest nights at the club.

“I can’t tomorrow. I’m studying with Violet.”

I can be honest with Leo about most things, but there’s no way in hell I can tell him I’m a stripper.

Not only because he’ll be upset, but because he’ll throw money at me and demand I quit.

Then he’ll have me…because I’ll need him to survive.

And I refuse to let any man have that kind of power over me.

Because I’m not my mother.

“You’ve been studying with her a lot lately,” he notes as he gets off the bed. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were seeing someone else behind my back.”

“I’m just trying to maintain my grades and get a scholarship.”

It’s not a lie. I really am trying to get a scholarship to a good college.

But in case I don’t, I have seven thousand saved up in my bank account.

I’m hoping to have at least triple that by the time summer rolls around.

Sighing, he puts his clothes back on. “I already told you I’d pay—”

“I don’t want your money.” I drop my gaze to the zipper he’s tugging up. “Just your dick.”

And the assurance of knowing someone in this world gives a fuck about me.

Walking back over to the bed, he dips his head, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “You can have whatever you want from me.”

I purse my lips, pretending to think. “How about a cheeseburger and fries then? Because I’m starving.”

Guilt colors his expression. “Then I suggest you order room service because Lenora’s nurse is leaving early tonight, so I have to head back.”

“Oh.”

A weird twinge of disappointment flickers in my chest, but then I remember that she’s his wife and he should be there with her.

“Do you want me to give you a ride home?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s okay. I’ll call an Uber.” I make a face. “Or Knox.”

Since he’s been so keen on giving me rides lately.

I don’t realize I said that last part aloud until Leo makes a face. “Knox has been giving you rides?”

Nodding, I pick my jeans and sweatshirt up off the floor. “Yeah, Trent basically insisted he take me to and from school.”

I don’t know what to make of his expression, but it’s clear Leo isn’t pleased. “I need to have a little chat with my brother then.”

“Why?”

God knows I can’t stand Knox, but we live in the same house and attend the same school. It makes sense for him to give me a lift.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Knox is my nephew, but…”

“But what?” I ask when his sentence trails off.

Something strange passes in his gaze. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it looks a lot like fear.

“He’s not right in the head, Aspen.”

I bite my cheek to stop from laughing, because duh. “Well, yeah, but—”