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“I need to get you out—”

“Hey.” She shook her head. “We’ve been inseparable for seven years, Nirah. We’ve never left each other’s side, and we won’t start now, you understand.”

“This isn’t your mess, or your fight, Silvia.” I protested. “I need to get you away from him. From this.”

“No.” She inched closer. “We’re in this together. If I leave, so do you and we both know he’d never let that happen. I’m not going anywhere without you.” She reached forward, resting her hand on the side of my arm.

“Silvia…” I reluctantly trailed off and she offered me a bright smile.

“We’re in this together, baby.” She smacked a kiss to my cheek and I chuckled. “Now, let’s show these girls how to really put on a show.”

CHAPTER 12

Nirah

Cherry Hill by Russ eased through the room and a dim red glow lit up the space.

Five men, each seated on their own black leather armchair appeared in front of us—in front of the stage—and my fingers curled around the pole as I stepped forward, wrapping my body around it.

The other four girls on stage stayed in sync with me, our bodies matching the sensual rhythm of the song.

Disgust crawled over every inch of my skin as I danced, entertaining them and noticing the dark lust circulating around them.

Heat flooded my veins as I lowered to my black heels, taking slow, deliberate steps toward none other than Antonio De Luca.

Eased back, legs spread with his elbow on the arm rest, he ran his fingers up and down his chiseled jaw, green eyes not tearing from me.

Dropping to my knees I crawled forward, letting my hands glide up the inside of his thighs.

My deep red nails caught the glint of the light as they glided up his chest, slipping to the back of his neck.

His eyes pulled me closer as I rose to my feet, straddling his lap with ease.

Breaking eye contact I shifted my gaze to the target and leaned forward, tugging Antonio’s earlobe with my teeth. “Don’t even think about enjoying this,” I whispered, running my hands over his shoulders.

His hands slid down my back, grabbing my ass as he pulled me up against his chest. With a racing heart his lips pressed to my ear. “I don’t mix business with pleasure.”

I grinned, rolling my hips forward as my tongue circled the shell of his ear, only to whisper, “Sure feels like you do.”

I rolled my hips forward but he gripped them with restraint. I caught my bottom lip between my teeth, reluctantly shifting my eyes away from the target.

Reaching back I grabbed his hands and placed them on my ass.

“If you want this to work…” I trailed off, pulling back to meet his green eyes. “You can’t resist me.” I forced my most believable smile.

Slowly, I moved my hips against him and the fire behind his eyes pulled goosebumps from my skin.

With the heat of his gaze and insatiable tension between us, the music turned distraught, trapping us in a bubble that excluded everyone else.

Mischief slithered up my spine as I pressed my chest to his, feeling the thud of his heartbeat against mine.

My lips grazed over his before travelling up his jaw and to his ear. “It still beats for me, doesn’t it, De Luca?” I whispered, and I could feel the tick of his jaw muscle against my cheek while my palm pressed to his sturdy chest. “Deny it all you want…” I taunted, kissing down the side of his throat.

I kept my eyes on the target as I pulled back but he gripped my face, forcing my eyes on him. “Don’t look at another man while you’re on my dick, Nirah.” Oh?

“Possessive, are we?”

I could see his thoughts running rampant. “He needs to see you dancing for me.” Mhm.