Lap Dance Read online

  An Ellora’s Cave Romantica Publication

  www.ellorascave.com

  Lap Dance

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Lap Dance Copyright © 2009 Sally Painter

  Edited by Sue-Ellen Gower.

  Cover art by Syneca.

  Electronic book Publication February 2009

  With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

  Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

  Lap Dance

  Sally Painter

  Chapter One

  “That’s it, now grind your hips,” Cat Ramey’s best friend coached her.

  “Grind my hips? Are you crazy? I haven’t even sat down in his lap, yet.”

  The man sitting in the chair laughed. It was a deep baritone sound that reminded her of warm sultry nights. She’d introduced herself after Pam had approached him to participate in their video.

  She felt his stare moving over her and regretted letting Pam talk her into the provocative skimpy costume. Stiffening her spine, Cat met his dark gaze. Her pulse spiked.

  “Get on with it, will you?” Pam whispered.

  She turned to her best friend. “You have no idea how silly I feel, Pam. “I’m never going to be able to do this.” She turned to leave.

  “Dammit, Cat.” Pam grabbed her by the forearm. “You want to win the contest or not?” Her friend dragged her over to the alcove near the bar, her brown eyes narrowing into an angry squint.

  She’d hated that look ever since the first time she’d seen it in kindergarten.

  “You’ve accomplished four of the challenges. This is the last one and you have to do a better job than anyone else to ensure you win. You have to put your heart into this. Pretend he’s your boyfriend. I don’t care what you have to do to make it real, but make it real.”

  She glanced back. The nightclub was loud. The dimly lit club was filled with brilliant, strobe light, colors flashing around them. “I can’t do this. People are gathering around―”

  “Yeah, it’s a club where lap dances are done. Duh! Come on, you’ve come too far to give up now. Think about how much you want to go back to college. You can become the doctor you were going to be before your mom…well, you were a good daughter, Cat. You quit to take care of her. Now it’s your time. Stay focused on the prize and what it means to you. You’re going to win the car so you can get back to your classes. So suck it up and sit in that guy’s lap.”

  “Grant,” Cat said. “His name is Grant Evanston.”

  “Whatever, go lap dance your heart out just the way you practiced.”

  Stiffening her spine, Cat took a deep breath, before turning back to the handsome man still watching her. His blue eyes were like magnets and latched onto her gaze.

  The crowd clapped when she returned and sexy Grant opened his arms wide in a greeting.

  “Come on, Cat, I’ll be good. I promise,” he said, giving her a wicked grin.

  She closed her eyes. This was the most humiliating challenge yet. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes to the knowing look moving over his handsome face.

  “This is not personal,” she said.

  “Wanna bet?” he asked with a deep chuckle.

  She shook her head and straddled him, letting her bare legs fall against his thighs. He released a deep groan.

  Did he have to do that? Her heart pounded faster. She locked trembling hands behind his neck. Well, damn, his neck was like a thick piece of human steel. What did this guy do for a living? Or was he one of those body-builder types?

  Her palms were clammy and the nightclub seemed to close in around her. The shouts and cheers were deafening as she rolled her head forward and let her long hair cover his face.

  She couldn’t think about how she was sitting on a stranger’s lap about to grind her pussy into… She swallowed hard. Was that…oh yes…it certainly was an erection. She lifted her head, peering at him through strands of curls. He shrugged and a slanted grin lifted one corner of his lips.

  Oh, he had no shame or modesty. She closed her eyes, refusing to look at him again and started to grind against him. The last thing she wanted to see was that satisfied grin or the excitement dancing in his eyes.

  She tried to imagine him as the dummy she and Pam had constructed in her apartment, but his hard cock pressing against the thin material of her costume shattered that vision.

  He was real. Too real. And one of the sexiest men she’d ever seen. His dark face with even set eyes was perfect. She’d never met a man like him. Pam knew how a man with dark hair and blue eyes was a turn on for her. She didn’t know whether to hate her friend or thank her.

  She twisted against him and finally dared to open her eyes. The spectators crowded around them. Her heart pounded harder.

  “Act sexy,” Pam said, taking her role as videographer way too seriously. She frowned at her friend, squinting against the harsh light of the camera.

  She could do this. She had to do it. Cat swallowed the rising lump in her throat. Yet, how could she act sexy when all she could think about were all these men watching her? She lifted her hips, trying to recall the moves she’d learned. She didn’t dare look at him again lest she topple right off his lap in complete embarrassment.

  “What made them select giving a lap dance for the final challenge?” His voice was low beneath the loud music and rank shouts coming from the crowd.

  She leaned down to talk in his ear, pausing in her movements.

  “Because no one in their right mind would humiliate themselves this way in public.”

  “You’re going to be the winner,” he chuckled and she lifted her head.

  “Move those hips. No time for conversations,” Pam yelled. “Just imagine being handed the keys to that new sports car.” Pam’s excitement only irritated Cat.

  “Sports car, huh?” His condescending tone sent hot anger rushing through her.

  Mister sexy Grant winked at her and Cat could have sworn his cock lifted slightly beneath his trousers. She focused on the routine, grinding and rolling her hips and desperately trying to ignore how good he felt against her.

  “So all this for a little ole sports car?” he asked.

  It sounded so shallow when he said it like that.

  “You’ll look really sexy in a sports car. I hope it’s red.” He shifted slightly and warm male hands gripped her by the waist.

  “No touching,” she said and shoved his hands from her.

  “Sorry. I wasn’t…I didn’t mean…”

  She forced a smile past the building frown. He had no idea who she was or her motives for doing this.

  “The Extreme Challenge is sponsored by the Women of Charity Club. You do understand that right?” She moved to the music, undulating and swaying the way she’d practiced. Over the past week Pam had rented several videos and Cat had imitated all the moves u
ntil confident she could perform in public as the contest demanded.

  “I’m more than happy to help with a worthwhile charity,” he grinned. “I read online about the other challenges. Some of those looked distasteful. It’s good they made the last one fun.”

  She tucked her lower lip beneath her teeth and turned on the look Pam had said would disarm her subject in case he distracted her with conversation.

  His words choked off but his stare burned through her. Well, it shut him up, but now his arousal was the problem. He began to grind his hips and she stopped.

  “I’m taping, but nothing’s happening. We’re running out of time. Get on with it,” Pam shouted and the men behind her cheered.

  Cat threw what she hoped was a withering look over her shoulder and squinted past the bright video light to her friend. They’d rented the professional camera just for this taping since some of the videos already posted on the website were poor quality. Pam said it would give them an advantage. Cat was only going to do this crazy stunt once so Pam better get it all.

  “Wrap your legs around his waist…and…action,” Pam said in her best director’s voice. “Grind. Pump. Grind those hips.”

  “I’m getting a little tired of your directing.” Cat lifted her legs around him to the back of the chair unable to lock her ankles. She stiffened. His cock was now pressing into her ass.

  “Lean in. Lick his cheek. Make it spicy,” Pam said.

  Cat groaned.

  “You have to do something spectacular to set you apart from all the other contestants. Kiss him!” Pam moved in closer, coming up beside them.

  “I think being here in the first place is pretty spectacular.” She threw over her shoulder.

  “It certainly is for me,” he panted. “Do you have a boyfriend?”

  Her attention snapped to him.

  “Less talk, more action. The dance has to last five minutes so get started,” Pam interrupted.

  “Your friend doesn’t think this has started?” He lifted one eyebrow.

  “W-What?” She moved in a mindless rhythm to the music. She’d practiced straddling a dining chair, but now that she was here, sitting in his lap, Cat found the undulating movements far more sensual and to her surprise—arousing.

  She was no longer frightened. It was titillating. She rubbed her breasts against his broad chest, feeling sculpted planes beneath the crisp dress shirt. She had to remind herself he was doing her a favor and his arousal was only natural. It didn’t mean he had feelings for her. They were strangers.

  The thought sent a pang of sadness through her. Her nipples tingled and a delightful twinge jolted straight to her clit. An enchanted haze surrounded her. Grinding into his groin, she felt him grow harder. His breathing grew labored.

  “Do the hair thing. I’ll turn on the fan,” Pam yelled above the music and a sudden rush of air fluttered around her.

  Cat knew the routine and didn’t need Pam constantly prompting her. She closed her eyes and moved with the music, loosening her hands around his neck to glide them down his chest.

  He flinched under her touch and the air crackled between them. She was surprised how hot his flesh was beneath the thin shirt and for a brief moment imagined what it would be like to be with him. Her fingers itched to ease the buttons loose and press her hands against his naked chest.

  The fantasy tugged her deeper and she gave over to the sultry seduction of the music and sensations streaking through her. Each movement was no longer part of the practiced routine. She was swept up in the moment. Rolling her head back, her hair fell past her shoulders and the fan’s breeze snagged it, fluttering it around her in a reddish shimmer. That should be a great effect for the video. She jerked her head forward and let her tresses slash his face.

  He groaned.

  “Oh my god, that’s so primal. Keep going!” Pam called out, but her voice was a faint whisper between his hard breathing and the music.

  Cat ran her hands down his arms with fingertips gliding over bulging muscles his shirt couldn’t hide. Licking her lips, she leaned backwards, allowing herself to unfold in front of him, resting her back on his thighs. Her ankles slipped against the back of the chair and he grasped her thighs to keep her from sliding off his lap. Her heart slammed against her chest. Her flesh scorched under his large hands.

  She paused to take a deep breath. The fog clouding her mind cleared and she realized she was about to lose control of the situation. Reality thundered in.

  What was she doing? Her desperation to realize her dream to be a doctor had driven her to this insanity. Slowly, she sat up. Her heart slammed against her ribcage. This was insane!

  Pam was saying something, but she couldn’t understand her above the fan and the loud cheers. She shifted and set her feet down onto the floor. There, that was better. Weak-kneed, she straightened and flattened her hands on his shoulders. Every inch of him conveyed life…strength…sex.

  She crouched down and then slowly rolled her hips in time with the music, rubbing her barely shielded pussy against his chest. His mouth opened and his tongue raked over his lower lip. Her breath caught in her chest when his stare moved from her face to her breasts. Cat knew the tight bustier made them appear ready to burst free of the sequined costume.

  A small moan parted her lips and in spite of all attempts not to imagine him naked―she did. He groaned and grasped her ass, tugging her toward his face. She imagined letting his tongue slip around the panty line and slide between the fleshy mounds of her pussy. She’d then press against him and ease the growing ache between her legs. Wet heat rushed from her and the silk clung to her flesh.

  “Kiss her! Kiss her!” Pam screamed.

  She stared down at Grant. A small throaty sound vibrated in his chest. She swayed to the music, grinding her hips in a slow roll while stroking his cheek with the back of her hand.

  “Come on, Cat, let him kiss you. Do something outrageous.”

  “I really want to kiss your pussy, Cat,” he whispered in a deep sexy voice.

  His words moved over her like an electrical shock followed by a dousing of cold water. The moment was ripped from her. This was wrong. She had lost her mind. Her breathing was sharp and fast. She stared at him and realized she hadn’t followed the routine at all. Well, she didn’t care. This dance was better. Spontaneous. Hot.

  “Cut!” Pam said and walked over to her friend. “What are you doing? You need to let him kiss you…not there but on the lips. You have to do something as a grand climax.” Pam balanced the heavy camera on her hip.

  Ignoring her friend, Cat dismounted him.

  “What are you doing, Cat?” he asked. Disappointment flashed across his eyes.

  On wobbly legs, Cat started across the club, pushing past the onlookers.

  “Come back, Cat! You can’t just leave. We have to finish this,” Pam called after her.

  Chapter Two

  Cat arrived home, exhausted and shaken from the experience. She’d become so caught up in needing to win the competition that she’d tossed all reason aside. Maybe tomorrow things wouldn’t feel so strange. Still, she’d be too embarrassed to ever watch the video and knew Pam was probably rushing home to upload it onto the contest website. A knot churned in her stomach.

  What did Grant think of her? She shook her head. Why did she care? Yet…something about him intrigued her. It was as though she’d been put under a spell of some kind.

  She shed the costume and slipped on an oversized t-shirt. Maybe she could fall asleep and just forget all about it. She climbed underneath the covers and closed her eyes. His face flashed against the darkness of her eyelids. She couldn’t get him out of her mind. The way he smelled of cologne and tobacco from the club’s cigar room. His crisp shirt beneath her fingertips cloaked the hardest body she’d ever felt.

  And that sexy grin. That knowing look in his eyes. A streak of excitement shot through her. She opened her eyes and stared across the room. What had possessed her tonight. A shadow fell into the room from outsi
de and she shot up in bed. Impossible. She was on the third floor.

  Shaking, she tossed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her feet sank into the plush carpet and she crept over to the window. Nothing. She peered through the window panes, trying to see along the ledge. This was silly.

  She turned away. The shadow moved over the floor again and she spun around. A small yelp rushed past her lips for standing on the ledge was Grant.

  “What the hell?” Her mind rejected what she saw. She must be dreaming. That was it. This was a dream.

  “Open the window,” he said.

  No way was Grant outside her window much less speaking to her. No fucking way!

  “Open the window, Cat,” he said.

  This was one of her most vivid dreams—ever. Her panic receded.

  “I won’t hurt you. Open the window, now.”

  Numb and as though in a trance, she did as he commanded and unlocked the window. She tugged it up and he reached inside. Cat found herself being lifted through the opening and gathered her in his arms,.

  “I’m dreaming,” she gasped as strong arms wrapped around her. Before she could speak, Cat found herself being lifted into the air. She looked down at the city lights beneath her. “Oh my god! We’re flying!” Her mind rejected it. She gripped his broad shoulders and clung to him as he flew over the city. Grant had wings? She shook her head.

  This was no dream. It felt too real.

  “Stop! Take me back to my apartment,” she screamed. She’d wake up in a moment and find herself in bed.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he spoke in a deep voice. “I only want to please you.”

  That voice was enough to make her quiver in erotic expectancy. Heat rushed over her. Strong arms tightened around her. Cat clung to him as he pumped broad dark wings. They rose higher toward the canopy of stars. Cat squinted, willing the fantasy to end and reality to return. Wake up!

  “How can this be?” she murmured.