Deal With The Stripper

Raina Cole

“Didn’t think you’d actually call.”

I don’t know what to expect after I pressed the call button.

What I didn’t expect was for him to pick up on the very first ring, like he had been waiting on my call

Hearing his voice again, so smooth and confident, shouldn't have hit me hard.

But it did

It was deep, calm, teasing and felt like he’d whispered it directly against my skin.

“I—uh, hi,” I managed. I sounded breathless. Pathetic.

I heard his deep chuckle over the phone. “Why do you sound nervous?”

I ignored the question and went straight to why I called him. “I need a favor. Can I see you today if possible?"

“Mmm.” His tone was lazy, and it made my nipples hard. “Miss me already? You need another dance or…..something more”

His voice was so rich and velvety. All I could imagine as he spoke was him talking me through as he slipped inside of me.

I shifted in my seat, furious at my skin for tingling just because he had spoken. My thighs pressed together even before I realized

If I continued at this rate, I would need to carry extra panties with me

I shut my eyes, gripping the desk before I said something I’d regret.

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I hissed, my tone sharp even as my body betrayed me. “It’s not that kind of meeting. I have a proposition for you. It’s business.”

“Whatever you say, sweetheart. What kind of proposition does a woman like you have for a man like me?”

Sweetheart? God, that word had no right sounding that good.

“I’ll tell you when we meet,” I said, pushing myself away from the desk, trying to sound detached. “Somewhere quiet. I’ll text you the address and time.”

“I’ll be there.”

I didn’t give him the chance to say anything else, I hung up immediately.

I stared at my phone, my pulse racing and every nerve in my body humming like he had just touched me

******************************************

I arrived first, on the rooftop of one of my hotels.

Sixty-five stories up, running a billion-dollar empire… and one man with a sinful mouth still had me acting like a nervous intern.

Fantastic.

I’ve always had everything under control, this was just a business meeting. I could handle it.

The elevator dinged and I mentally prepared myself to meet him again, but all my preparedness watered down the minute he got out of the elevator, approaching me

He was dressed in a fitted black shirt, slacks and a pair of loafers.

He smiled as he sat across from me, his gaze still as lethal as ever. “You look tense. Didn’t expect me to wear clothes? I could take them off for you. It all depends on what you want.”

My mind instantly had flashbacks and I choked. On air.

My hand went to my chest, trying to play it off. My entire face was on fire.

I sat up straighter, fixing my expression into something professional, the same look I used when closing billion-dollar mergers.

“That’s not why I called you here.”

He looked at me as though he could read everything I was thinking. “Of course not. Strictly business. My mistake.”

My fingers twitched against the table, but I didn’t look away. “I have a proposition for you,” I said, trying to sound composed. “And before you even think of saying anything ridiculous, it’s not sexual.”

“That’s a shame-“

“My proposal would pay you more than your little dances,” I interrupted him before he said anything that would tear down my stretched composure.

His right brow lifted and his smirk softened, turning curious.

“I need you to act as my boyfriend for a week,” I said sharply

His expression showed that he wasn’t expecting that request.

“My sister is getting married,” I straightened, forcing myself to sound businesslike. “To my ex- fiancé. It’s in three days and I can’t attend alone.”

He leaned back, looking over the city before his gaze fell on me again. “So, you want me to pretend you’re mine for a week?”

I swallowed. “That’s one way to put it.”

“Alright then, I’ll play your boyfriend.” His smirk returned, slow and certain. “But I get to name my price.”

I crossed my arms, surprised but grateful that he agreed so easily. “Money isn’t an issue. How much is it going to cost”

I dipped my hand in my purse, ready to write me a down payment of whatever amount he named.

“Who said anything about money?”

What?

I raised a brow, pretending I wasn’t affected. “Then what exactly is your price?”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his gaze dipping to my lips before finding my eyes again. “A favor.”

I frowned. “A favor?”

He smiled like he knew something I didn’t. “Mhm. I’ll do this—play your perfect doting boyfriend, make your ex regret breathing, charm your family. But when I ask for a favor later… you’ll owe me one. No questions asked.”

I stared at him, heartbeat stuttering. “You’re joking.”

“Do I look like I’m joking?”

God, he didn’t. And worse, he was enjoying this. His smirk was the kind of slow burn that could make a saint sin.

I forced out a laugh that sounded a little too thin. “You’re ridiculous. You can’t expect me to agree to—”

“Then don’t.” He shrugged, standing up casually,

“Oh well,” he said lightly, adjusting his cuffs. “I’m sure you’ve got a whole lineup of men willing to play your perfect boyfriend. Go ask one of them.”

The words hit a little too close. Because he was right. I didn’t.

Not one.

He started to turn, and before I could stop myself, the word tore out of me. “Wait.”

He paused, his back still to me.

I exhaled, swallowing my pride. “Fine. You’ll get your favor.”

I didn’t even recognize my own voice. Since when did I sound like a woman giving in?

He turned then, his smirk deepening — victory glinting in his eyes. “Good girl.”

God, that word

“Don’t call me that,” I snapped automatically.

“Noted,” he said, clearly not noting it at all as he reclaimed his seat.

I cleared my throat, forcing authority back into my voice. “We’ll attend the wedding, make an appearance at the rehearsal dinner, then you’ll disappear from my life. That’s it. One week.”

He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable “One week,” he echoed. Then, softer, “alright then, just don’t forget you owe me a favor, Raina.”

My name again.

That same casual way he’d said it before — in that dim room, right before he left his card.

“How did you know my name? I don’t remember telling you”

His gaze flickered, and I noticed a bit of hesitation before he spoke. “It was written on the card you filled for the private dance”

I frowned, trying to recall. Katrina or Cassie must have written it down

“Since you know my name, don’t you think we should be even?” I tried not to sound eager to know his name.

He didn’t answer. He just stood up again, his hand brushing the edge of the table — just close enough that my pulse picked up. “Send me the details. Time, place, dress code. I’ll play the part perfectly.”

He started walking towards the elevator and I tried not to focus on his ass, but my mind wouldn’t cooperate.

I watched him press the elevator button and when the doors slid open, he walked in.

Was he not going to at least tell me his name?

Before the doors slid shut, he turned back and gave me that easy, devastating smile again. “Oh, and Raina?”

I blinked. “What?”

He held my gaze, his voice dipping low. “Try not to fall in love with me before the week’s over. I’d hate to break your heart. And it’s Ken by the way”

Before I could even respond, the doors slid shut

Don’t fall in love with me

As if I ever could.

My body still felt warm where his eyes had lingered.

I straightened my blouse, forcing my pulse to slow.

Men like him were distractions. Dangerous, addictive distractions.

I’d built an empire by keeping my heart out of reach — and no man, especially him, was going to change that.

Not now.

Not ever.