Beyond Hunger: A Romantic Strip Club Encounter (The Beyond Series Book 1) Read online

  Twisting his head to meet her eyes, he saw them laughing. With his erection already deflating from the shock, Serge sighed in relief. “This is perfect. You’re pretty good at that.”

  “I may have done a few classes before,” she admitted with just about the cutest smile he’d ever seen.

  “Clearly. You can let my arm go now,” he said in a flat tone, but couldn’t keep a straight face. “Hustler,” he mumbled as she released his arm and he brought it around in front of him. “I won’t go easy on you next time,” he warned, pushing himself up to standing. “Now you’ve shown me your cards, I’ll know how to play.”

  “Careful of the ace up my sleeve,” she countered, a sly smile gracing her lips. Damn it. He had to stop looking at her lips. Turning away, he noticed the stares of the entire class.

  Scratching his head, he looked at his watch and glanced quickly at Vi before shrugging. “And that is one of the more advanced moves we’ll be working towards next time. Thanks for coming everybody, and remember to practice. The more automatic your response, the easier it will be to use in the event of an actual attack.”

  Smiling at a few faces and giving a wave, Serge busied himself hauling mats back to the huge storage cupboard in order to avoid further attention. As he turned, he met Bruno coming in with more mats. The guy smiled and shook his head, but said nothing. Vi followed with a mat of her own. Heat crept up Serge’s neck at the amused look on her face.

  “I’m really sorry about that, Vi,” he said in a hushed tone as he took the mat from her and stacked it with the others and cursed himself for being such a perv.

  “I’m not,” she replied, leaving the storeroom before he could read her face. Curious, Serge followed close behind and helped her with the next mat.

  “What do you mean?” he asked quietly as Kat and Nina went by with a mat between them.

  Vi shrugged, avoiding his eyes. “I find it flattering, I guess.”

  Surprised, Serge held the mat as she tried to move it, making her look at him. Her huge eyes blinked at him a few times before darting away. A faint blush colored her cheeks and she adjusted her grip on the mat. Standing a little taller, her eyes slowly swept back to his. He noticed her breathing had quickened and her lips parted slightly, sending every hair on his body to attention.

  “Vi?”

  She answered as softly as a breath. “Yeah?”

  “Are you meaning to send me signals right now?” he whispered, making sure no-one was close enough to hear them.

  Her eyes dipped and he felt his skin flare as her gaze began to rise up his body. “I don’t know,” she said, closing her eyes. Shaking her head, she cleared her throat and gave the mat in his hands a wiggle. “Come on. Everyone else is finished.”

  Looking around, Serge saw all the mats had been cleared away and her friends were gathering their belongings. Nodding, he helped move the last mat to the storeroom as his mind ran wild. About to ask her if she still wanted to go for coffee, he turned to find her so close he had to take a step back.

  “The thing is,” she began, looking about the floor as if the words she wanted were scattered there, “I know you’re in love with Gina, and that you think I’m too young, so I know this isn’t an option or anything. I just feel safe with you and you’ve got this tall dark and handsome thing going on and it’s affecting me. Kinda like I affect you,” she added with a small smile. “I’m not pursuing,” she said firmly, as if trying to convince herself as much as him.

  His disappointment as he heard those words surprised him, but he pushed it aside. She was right; he loved Gina. “So we’re just friends that get the occasional boner for each other?” he asked, laughing at how that sounded.

  “Yeah,” she agreed with a smile.

  “Are you guys making out in there?” Benji called from the far side of the gym before laughing. As if she couldn’t leave the storeroom fast enough, Vi ran to collect her bag as Serge locked the cupboard doors and grabbed his.

  Nina elbowed Benji in the side to shut him up, before she smiled at Serge. “We’re all heading Canalside to play in the boats and to enjoy the last of the warm weather with some great food. You coming Serge?” Looking to Mitch as he shuffled his feet awkwardly, Nina regarded him carefully. “You can come too, if you’d like.”

  Raising his eyes, Mitch looked even more uncomfortable. “I’d better not,” he said, shifting his gaze to Serge. “Murray’s in the car waiting for me. He’ll want to get home.”

  Nodding, Serge waved him goodbye as he rushed out the door.

  “You two know each other?” he asked Nina, but she just shook her head.

  “You coming?”

  Serge looked to Vi to take the lead.

  “He’s coming,” she said, smiling one of those sweet, encouraging smiles of hers as she came toward him. “Hand grab,” she said, taking hold of his wrist and pulling him to the door, pausing just long enough for him to lock it before she yanked him off down the hall after her friends.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  VIOLET

  Serge eventually relaxes. Once the boys start throwing a football around, he joins in as if they’ve known each other for years. Leaning back in an Adirondack chair, I enjoy the show. Probably a little too much.

  Mentally kicking myself, I turn to Scar sitting next to me, only to find her looking straight at me.

  “What?”

  One eyebrow rises above the frames of her sunglasses. “You are so transparent.”

  Bringing my knees up to my chest, I turn back to watch the boys. “Yeah, so?”

  Worst comeback ever.

  Rolling my eyes at myself, I shuffle around to face her again. “A girl can look, right?”

  “Hey,” she says, raising her hands for me to go ahead, “You’re both single. No-one is breaking any laws or treading on any toes. It’s just weird seeing you like this over some old guy.”

  “He’s not that old!”

  Scar’s head rolls back as she laughs. “See. You’re even defending him. I just said that to bug you,” she says, watching the guys running around the grass behind me. “I can see the appeal.”

  Swatting at her, I glance over my shoulder as Serge speeds away from the others on powerful legs, grinning back at them as he slows down again.

  “He can keep up with these young bucks, anyway,” she adds. “What do you think he’d be like in -”

  “Scar! Quit it. I’m sure he’d be fucking amazing.” Pushing myself out of the chair I stride away to the hotdog stand across the pathway before everyone decides they’re hungry and I have to wait in line.

  “Hey.”

  I try to ignore the thrill that runs down my spine at the deep timbre of Serge’s voice. Turning with my hotdogs, I look up at his face.

  “Hey, yourself.”

  Looking at my hands, he studies my face, his eyes smiling. “I thought we came for “great” food?”

  Glancing at the vendor, I feel my brows knit together. “We did. Sal’s dogs are the best.”

  “All for you?” Serge asks, nodding at my load.

  My eyes narrow at him. “And if they are?”

  Looking at my dogs again, he sucks in his bottom lip. “If someone your size can eat three, how many do you think I’ll need?” he asks, completely serious, as if each meal requires a precise calculation.

  “Open your mouth.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  Eying me warily, he reluctantly opens his mouth. Shoving one of my hotdogs in it, I give a satisfied nod. “Shut up and just eat until you’re not hungry anymore, weirdo.” Taking a huge bite of my own, I watch him as I chew.

  “Omigor,” he mutters as he starts chewing, his eyes turning skyward before closing in something resembling ecstasy. Taking another, much bigger bite, he eyes my other, remaining hotdog.

  “Don’t even think about it,” I warn, backing up so I can talk to Sal again. “We’re gonna need a few more dogs please.”

  “You got it, kid.” Chuckli
ng as he gets them ready, Sal watches Serge. “That your first hotdog or somethin’?”

  Licking his fingers, Serge swallows the last of his dog. “It’s been a while,” he admits, his eyes falling on my uneaten dog again.

  “Uh uh,” I mumble through my mouthful as I clutch my last hotdog to my chest, hiding it from him by turning my body.

  “But there’s more coming!” he pleads, trying to spin me around again. “And they’re so good!”

  Shaking my head, I shove the last of the first dog in my mouth, as I hold up a hand to fend him off. Looking sideways, I can see Sal laughing at us and taking his sweet time. Growling at him, I make to sidestep Serge.

  Catching me before I make it around him, he tries to snatch my booty from me.

  “Come on!” he cries through his laughter. “I need it more than you!”

  Swallowing too soon, I nearly choke and end up coughing as I try to keep away.

  “See! I’d be saving you. These hotdogs are trying to kill you!” Laughing again, he lunges for it. I manage to duck out of the way, but he grabs me around the waist, reeling me back in.

  Off-balance, I fall into him, knocking us both to the ground. Miraculously keeping hold of my hotdog, I hold it at arm’s length as he grabs for it.

  “I’ll give you a bite, I promise,” he says as he starts to reach for it.

  “I can have a bite of my own hotdog?” I ask in disbelief. “How generous!”

  Squirming to get away, I realize too late that his reach exceeds my own. Plucking the coveted hotdog from my grasp, he pins me to the ground as he takes a long and purposely luxuriating bite.

  “Mmmmm.” Chewing, Serge watches me from the corner of his eye. “Tastes like victory. Want some?” he asks, shoving it in my mouth as he pulls me up.

  Tearing off a chunk with my teeth, I pull it from my mouth and chew slowly as I glare at him. Sal is about to piss himself laughing and I shoot him daggers too.

  “You guys should put out a hat to collect cash, or some shit,” he says, wiping his cheek on his shoulder, still chuckling intermittently as he assembles our food.

  “That was payback for class today,” Serge whispers in my ear as he holds out some cash for Sal.

  Shaking his head, Sal holds up four dogs for him to take. “On the house. I’ve never seen my dogs inspire such entertainment.”

  Raising, his eyebrows in surprise, Serge re-pockets the cash and takes the prize. “Thanks, Sal. Hotdogs never tasted so good.” Turning, he shoves one from the pile into my gaping mouth, even though I still have a half-eaten one in my hand. “And that’s for sharing yours with me, even though it was really hard,” he says as he starts to walk away.

  Turning to give him a piece of my mind, I crash into his back, almost wearing my hotdogs. “Hey Power Serge, you make a better wall than a door. What the hell?” Checking my hotdogs are safe, I move next to him and find him frozen to the spot in front of some couple.

  His eyes drop to his hotdogs and I can see the difficulty he has in swallowing, before his eyes raise to the woman in front of him. “Gina. Hi.” Serge swallows again, still staring. “Hi Rick,” he adds, as if Gina’s husband has only just made an appearance. Jeez this guy is hooked deep.

  Studying the famous Gina, I try to understand the hold she has on Serge. I can’t deny that she’s pretty, but something about her expression gives her a slightly cold look. I watch as Rick’s arm snakes around her possessively as he nods hello to Serge. He’s clearly not oblivious to the situation.

  Gina frowns slightly as she eyes Serge’s bounty of hotdogs and he begins to blush, looking ready to crawl under a rock.

  “One is never enough when it comes to Sal’s tasty treats,” I say, offloading another of Serge’s hotdogs into my own possession.

  Staring at me, Serge acts as if he’s only just remembered I’m here. Suddenly looking twice as scared, his eyes widen at me until I take a bite of the hotdog, now bringing my collection of partially eaten dogs to three. His lips twitch a little at the corners and he shifts his other hotdogs out of my reach. Clearing his throat, he turns back to Gina.

  “Gina, Rick, this is Vi,” he says, standing a little taller. “Hotdog thief and connoisseur.”

  Shuffling my dogs, I free a hand to shake. Gina takes it hesitantly, her eyes measuring my every move. Shivering internally, I keep a smile plastered on my face. Rick seems a little more relaxed as he looks between Serge and I, reminding me that they think I’m his girlfriend of sorts.

  “Care to join us?” I offer, nodding over to the larger group we’d left playing and lounging about in the early evening sun.

  Gina surveys the group over her shoulder. Squinting, she turns to Serge. “That Nina?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Shit. I’ve got a bundle of tickets in my desk. She’s doing that -”

  “GlamSlam. I know. We’ll sort it this week,” Serge says, before looking less certainly towards Rick. “Unless you’re still set on a transfer. In which case I can sort it myself.”

  Gina looks to Rick, glances ever so briefly at me, then back to her husband.

  Taking a step closer to Serge, I’m not sure if I mean to help the situation, or make it more confusing. Our arms brush and the surge of energy between is undeniable. Looking up, I find Serge gazing down at me and everything else around us seems to disappear. His eyes lower to where our skin is touching, then meet mine again. Stunned by the look of hunger in his eyes, I stay trapped until Rick speaks.

  “I don’t think that will be necessary at this time,” he says, as Serge and I blink our way back to the real world. “It makes no sense to break up such a successful crime-fighting team.”

  Serge’s eyes leave me with a reluctance I’m sure I’m not imagining.

  “Pardon?” he asks, as if he hasn’t heard a word spoken.

  “I’m not transferring,” Gina clarifies, giving Serge a lottery-winner’s smile.

  “Oh. Good. Great,” Serge says, more enthusiastically as he visibly shakes himself out of his daze. “It’ll be great to have you back. The paperwork is really starting to pile up,” he says with a cautious smile.

  Rick’s face continues to brighten as he regards the strange vibe between us all. “Gina mentioned dinner at ours one night. Have you two given it any more thought?” Rick asks, smirking a little.

  Gina’s smile disappears and she suddenly looks about as happy as someone receiving a bad diagnosis. I look to Serge to see if he’s noticed, but find him watching me, his eyes conflicted. The silence continues and I fear I’m the one who will have to break it.

  “While I appreciate the offer, Rick, I work some strange hours. I only really have Sundays off, and I’m working on a project that’s taking up quite a bit of my spare time, so...”

  “Sunday works well for us too,” Rick says quickly. “Not tomorrow,” he adds, looking to Gina. “We’ve got plans with my mother, but next week? We’d love that, wouldn’t we Gina!” he says, using the arm he has around her to try and jiggle the interest into her. I can’t tell if he’s enjoying the discomfort of the situation, or if he’s legitimately happy in the belief that his wife is apparently no longer the sole interest to some rather stiff competition.

  “Yes, we’d love to have you, please come,” Gina says, in a tone one emotional grade above robotic.

  I turn to Serge for guidance, only to find him looking as confused as I feel. “We’ll see what we can do,” I manage to stammer out. Turning Serge’s wrist so I can see the time, I ignore the static tingle as my skin touches his. “I actually need to think about getting to work soon,” I add, looking over to where my friends are still at ease. It’s only a lie if one’s opinion of ‘soon’ is still several hours away. “It was nice to meet you in person,” I say, shaking hands with the couple again.

  “You too, Violet,” Rick muses. “You too. We’d best be off as well,” he says, tugging Gina gently away. Gina and Serge meet each other’s eyes briefly and there are a million things I could read into the communicati
on between them, but I choose instead to walk away, before my jealousy is apparent to more than just me.

  Serge catches up quickly, stepping in front of me and blocking my path. “I’m sorry you got caught up in that,” he says softly. Avoiding his eyes, I shrug and take a bite of hotdog, as if I have nothing more to say on the matter.

  Sighing, he looks to where the others are obliviously enjoying their Saturday afternoon. “Do you really have to leave for work soon?” he asks, unconvinced.

  “Not for a couple of hours,” I admit, taking another bite. Less hungry now, I set the hotdog I stole back on the others he’s still holding. “My eyes might have been bigger than my stomach.”

  “Violet,” Serge starts, but doesn’t finish. Staring at his hotdogs, his jaw clenches noticeably as if he’s gritting his teeth. Watching him carefully as I chew, I can see the conflict on his face. He eyes his food as though it might be poisoned.

  Pulling him over to a bench, I sit, yanking him down with me.

  “Eat your fucking hotdogs, Serge. They’re a gift from the gods and also from Sal. They’re delicious and a guy with your muscle mass will metabolize them in no time. What are you worried about? The way Gina looked at them?”

  Staying quiet, his dark eyes study me a while.

  “Well, she’s gone now. Before she arrived on the scene you were wrestling mine away from me and the look on your face when you tasted them was as if you’d found heaven on earth. If you want to throw that away, the trashcan is over there.” Pointing across the way, I take another bite and turn away, giving him privacy to make his decision.

  “Vi, I, um...” Taking a deep breath, he lets it out slowly as I keep my back to him. “I’m quite confused about a lot of things at the moment. I don’t really know where to start with any of it, but I’m very sure that I don’t want you to be angry at me.”

  Surprised, I turn around. “I’m not angry at you.”

  “You’re not?”

  I shake my head, wondering how broken this poor man is. “No.”

  Chewing the inside of his cheek as he regards me carefully, he seems to come to some decision. Looking at his hotdogs, he brings one to his mouth, pausing with his mouth open, his eyes meet mine. “You watching me for fun or planning your next burglary?” he asks, trying to smile.