Page 22 of Torch

My face balled up in mock outrage. “You don’t like my girl talk?” Again, she was laughing her head off. I couldn’t help but smile like a love-drunk fool. I loved watching her in this element. Carefree and happy. Over time, I’d witnessed how Brittney’s family could sour her mood. I made it my job to keep a smile on her face anytime we were around each other.

She threw her arms around my neck, pressing her body against mine. “You know I love talking to you.”

As we stared into each other’s eyes, her plump lips were beckoning me to her. “What else do you love to do with me?” I questioned, leaning down.

Brit met me halfway, and our lips came together. We hadn’t shared a kiss since the night I cooked for her. I had been trying to keep sexual activities to a bare minimum until I knew what this was. I didn’t want to treat her like a sex fling.

However, Brittney was testing my restraint. I saw the desire in her eyes. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. When she opened her mouth, I gave her exactly what she was looking for. I slipped my tongue inside her mouth, and she greedily sucked it.

I groaned into our kiss. My hands roamed down her thighs and around to that curvy ass of hers. When I gave it a squeeze, kneading it like dough, she moaned. Brittney’s round melons pressed to my chest as we explored each other’s mouths like long-lost lovers.

I didn’t know how long we made out until someone honked their horn, breaking the trance we were in. When we pulled apart, her eyes were glazed over with lust. My dick twitched in my pants, causing her to look down and see the proof of my arousal. She bit her lip, making me groan.

“Behave, woman. I’m trying to be good, and you’re not helping.”

She snickered. “Okay. Okay. Are you ready to go?”

I pushed myself off the car and opened the passenger door. “Yeah,” I grunted. I was trying to calm myself down. Everything in me wanted to say to hell with this surprise and fuck her right here on the hood of my car.

After Brittney settled into her seat, I closed the door and made my way around the car. Once I was in, I grabbed her hand as we drove to our destination. Brit didn’t even react to me holding her hand. I think she was finally realizing that I enjoyed touching her. Anytime we were together, I was either holding her hand or hugging her. Hell, I had even rubbed her feet. Physical touch was my love language, and I didn’t shy away from it.

About thirty minutes later, we pulled up to our destination. Brit looked out her window, then at me in confusion. “My surprise is a strip club?”

I chuckled, knowing this had to seem bizarre as hell. “Okay, so hear me out. The other night, when I cooked for you, you told me how you haven’t been able to book any clients because all your equipment and supplies are in the car Myron took…”

“Okkaayyy,” she dragged out with a perplexed expression.

“I’m starting off terribly. Okay, so, I own this strip club with my brother, Blade. Do you know who King McAllister is?”

“The boxer, right?”

“Yes. He’s coming here tonight to celebrate winning the heavyweight title. Usually, the dancers book a makeup artist whenever high-profile clients come through.”

“But I don’t have any equipment, Christian.”

“Yes, you do.” I pointed to my back seat. There was a large cosmetic trolley that I had bought her, filled with everything she could possibly need.

I knew I was feeling Brittney when I stepped inside Ulta to buy all this for her. I was ogled the entire time. I felt like prey among a bunch of vultures. I ended up finding an older woman who, unlike the other staff members, had a sense of professionalism. I told her to get me everything a makeup artist would need. Once I told her money was no object and to go crazy, she got everything together.

Brittney’s mouth dropped open. “Christian,” she gasped.

“That’s not all.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out an envelope. It was a check for five thousand dollars.

When Brit pulled out the check, she tried to hand it back. “No way. I can’t accept all this.”

“I’m not taking it back. So, stop trying. I’m not trying to win you over with material things. I genuinely want to help you get your business off the ground. That check is for doing the girls' makeup without charging them. All the dancers have large followings on social media. I’m talking about a hundred thousand or more. If they tag your business page with their final results, that could...”

“Give me the exposure I need,” she finished for me. She shook her head, staring at me in astonishment. “Okay, I can accept the offer of the dancers tagging me on social media, but I will pay you back for the supplies, and I can’t accept this check.”

I scoffed when she placed the check in the cupholder. Brittney just didn’t know the more she refused, the more I would want to do for her. “Beautiful, either you pick that check up and put it in your purse, or I’ll have it deposited in your account. The choice is yours.”

Her brows furrowed. “And how would you do that?”

“Like I said before. I have connections.” I killed the engine in my car, turning to face her fully. “Brit, I was raised to protect and provide. This isn’t me throwing my money around. This is me as your man. I saw a need, and I provided. Simple. There will never be a time when you tell me about your worries and I don’t try to lighten your load. Understand?”

Her face softened as she leaned over the console and pecked my lips. “Thank you.”

I kissed her once more. “No thanks needed. Now, let’s get in here. The dancers have four hours until King gets here.”