Puddles (Rayne Enterprises Book 2), page 7
Chapter 7
Crazy
“Mia!” Wren screams from across the store as she comes running up and hugs me.
“Hey Wren. Oh my god, Tatum! What are you doing here?” I say wrapping my arms around her shoulders.
I let go and immediately stand back next to Elias, our hands finding each other and our fingers intertwine like it is something that we have done forever.
“Wren texted me last night and you know me, I am always up for shopping,” her eyes fall down to Elias and I’s hands together, “Interesting.”
I guess we let the cat out of the bag and when I look up at Elias he winks and I know he is okay with all the girls finding out.
“Mia!” I hear Steph’s voice before I see her emerge from around the corner followed by Lucy.
“Hi ladies,” I say and watch them both look at Elias holding my hand, “I approve,” Steph says and I look over at Lucy. Knowing the history of what Elias told me about how long he has known her I suddenly get worried.
“It’s about time,” she says as she smiles at Elias.
“Shut up brat,” he says to her.
“Aren't you guys supposed to be shopping?”
“Yes!” Wren exclaims as she grabs my available hand and pulls me away from Elias.
The five of us walk around the store pulling items and showing each other and for the first time in a long time, I finally feel like I may have found some girls who I could be friends with. That’s the thing I miss most about college, there I was surrounded by friends. We went to dances and parties together, studied, and hung out in each other’s dorms. Since moving back though the only friend I have made is Tatum and since we both are always working and most of the time on different days of the week I have spent most of my time alone, and it has sucked. But now as I look around the store and smile as Wren holds up a French maid outfit to Tatum’s body I think my decision to take the job at Puddles has not only helped me with my money problems but my lack of friends problem too.
“These will definitely look good on you,” Steph says, holding up a pair of white chaps.
“Am I a cowgirl now?” I ask, holding them up to my body.
“Oh my god, that would be such a fun routine,” Steph says.
“Bringing guys up and making them get on all fours and riding them around the stage. Yee-haw!” she yells as she grabs a cowboy hat and puts it on her head.
“It would take forever to figure out the routine though,” Lucy says as she rifles through the hangers of lingerie.
“I could do it,” I say and all the girls look at me.
“You want to do a cowgirl routine?” Steph asks and I laugh.
“No, I mean I could choreograph a routine for you,” I say not thinking it’s much.
“Really?”
“Yeah, I didn’t go to dance school for four years and not learn a thing or two. In fact, I aced every single one of my choreography classes, thank you very much,” I announce feeling pretty proud of myself.
I look up from the rack of clothes I am currently going through to see all four of them staring at me, “What?”
“I think Puddles is about to get an upgrade, girls,” Wren says and they all go crazy talking and throwing out different thoughts for costumes and routines.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing you do the cowgirl routine,” Elias whispers in my ear so the other girls can’t hear. Without turning I lean back and whisper, “Will you let me ride you?” I ask. “Anytime,” he whispers, and then I feel him move away and my cheeks blush.
“Okay time to try all of these on!” Wren announces.
We all spent the next couple of hours turning the dressing room area into our own personal runway. From teacher’s pet to cowgirl and from dominatrix to naughty nurse. All in all, we each got at least four new outfits all with the accessories and shoes.
I can’t even look at the price when Elias steps up and swipes the card. I guess Lola had second thoughts about giving the company credit card to Wren.
“Okay next store,” Lucy says as we all pick up our bags and head to the door.
“There’s more?” I ask as Elias takes the bags from me and carries them himself.
“Oh honey, we are just getting started,” Steph says and I swear I hear Elias groan at his impending doomed day.
Apparently, Tatum picked everyone up in her SUV, probably so they could fit all their stuff inside. Elias opens my door and helps me into the truck. Once I’m situated he throws my bags in the back seat and hops in.
“You know I can climb in with the girls,” I say as he reaches for my hand.
“And miss a full day of shopping with the five of you?” He says as he lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.
A girl could get used to being treated like this.
The next store we both pull into is the biggest makeup store I have ever seen. I join the girls as we touch everything and get demos from all of the girls working. They even have a part in the back of the store to get facials which we all did gladly. I tried to get Elias to join us but he decided he would play the security man card instead.
We all got makeovers given by Tatum and I must admit I love everything she did and by the look on Elias’ face, he does too. It only took us two hours and by the time we were done, we racked up over a grand at the register.
Two days ago I couldn’t find enough money for a sandwich and now here I am walking out of the store with hundreds of dollars of makeup.
Our next stop is the hair salon where the most fabulous team of hairstylists treat all of us to being pampered and primped. I have always loved my hair and so I opted for just a blowout and trim. Lucy had them dye her hair an even darker shade of black. It looks like there is even a hint of blue in it and I wish I could get away with hair like that because it is amazing.
Wren, Steph, and Tatum all get a trim too and as we all try to get Elias to join us he refuses and secretly I’m glad because he is handsome and sexy just the way he is.
Our last stop is at a nail salon and all of us get both manicures and pedicures. For the first time in my life, I let the girls convince me to get gel tips. I went with the French tips that are pretty short especially compared to Steph’s long red ‘sex kitten’ nails as she calls them. As I look in the mirror I am astonished at my reflection. I feel sexy and happy and when I look over in the mirror I can see Elias staring at me and I watch as my cheeks flush.
Finally, it is time that we all say our goodbyes. The sun is setting behind the mountains and my feet are aching from the hours of shopping and pampering. I wave to the car full of girls and as I turn around, Elias laces his fingers through mine and we make our way across the parking lot.
“Princess,” Elias says as he holds my door open for me. I climb into the truck and for the first time today, I get nervous. It’s just Elias and me now and we both have a few hours before we have to be back at the club. The possibilities run through my head as I watch him walk around the truck and climb in.
After starting the engine he turns to me “Are you hungry?” He asks.
“Starving but also tired as hell. Those girls are something,” I say as Elias moves the console and I scoot over and rest my head on his shoulder.
He picks up his arm and puts it over me and I snuggle in even tighter.
“That they are,” he laughs. “I have an idea,” he says as he takes off out of the parking lot.
Twenty minutes later we are pulling in front of a pizza shop. “Wait here I will be right back,” he says hoping out.
I watch as he emerges from the building balancing the giant box on his hand.
“Oh my god that smells so good,” I say, taking the box from him as he climbs in.
“I didn’t know what you wanted so I went with pepperoni,” he says as he pulls back onto the road.
“Where are we going?” I ask as my stomach aches to get a slice of the delicious greasy pizza.
“To your apartment,” he says with a smile.
“And you’re going to come inside this time?” I tease.
“Only if you want me to.”
“Definitely.”
Elias parks in my parking spot and I suddenly remember my car. Shit, it has probably been towed by now.
“My car,” I say as he opens my door and I hand him the pizza.
“It’s taken care of,” he smiles and offers his hand so I can climb down.
“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea,” he says as we make our way upstairs.
Both of us dive into the cheesy, greasy deliciousness as soon as we get inside. Having Elias here on the couch with me as we devour food feels like home, like we’ve done this a thousand times.
“I should probably go get your bags,” he says standing.
“I can help you,” I say, joining him. He walks over and gently pushes me until I fall back onto the couch, “You just sit here princess,” he says, kissing my forehead and heading out the door before I can protest.
How did everything change so fast? It was just a couple of days ago I was sitting on this couch with Tatum, eating a sandwich she had to buy me because I couldn’t afford it. And now I am being pampered by a beautiful, strong, tattooed man who treats me like a princess. We don't have to leave for the club for another hour and to my surprise, I am actually excited to go tonight.
“Here you go, a million dollars worth of clothes, makeup, and god I don’t even remember what else,” Elias says as he drops all the bags in the middle of the room.
I stand up and walk over to him, “Thank you,” I say as I get up on my tip toes and kiss his perfect lips.
“You’re welcome. Now go get your ass changed because if I don’t get you to the club in time Lola is going to kick my ass.”
I laugh at the thought of Lola doing just that, actually, it would be kind of hot to watch.
I grab some of the bags and head into my room, closing the door behind me. As much as I would like nothing more than to have Elias in my bed right now, he’s right Lola will kick both of our asses if we’re late.
I grab out the white pleather push-up bra and matching thong and put them on. Then I spy the white chaps from the first store and just want to see Elias’s face.
“Okay, I’m ready!” I say as I open the door and watch as his jaw hit the floor.
“Mia,” he growls and crosses the room in three steps and pulls me into his body, crushing his mouth against mine.
“Fuck princess, what are you trying to do to me?”
“What? These old things?” I joke and he smiles.
“You’re crazy,” he says, kissing my neck.
“About you,” I say without thinking and he pulls back, looking into my eyes.
“You’re what?”
I want to tell him, I know he feels it too but it’s one of those things that you can’t take back and if I am wrong how will I ever walk into Puddles again?
Fuck it.
“Elias Cole, I think I am falling in love with you.”
I wait for him to bolt out the door, but he doesn’t. Instead, I watch as a smile spreads across his face, “I’ve been in love with you Mia Ryan since the first time I saw you.”
I think back to seeing him at my mom and Nolan’s engagement, “That was months ago,” I whisper in disbelief.
“Yes princess, I’ve been waiting for you every day since then.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it’s crazy, this is crazy Mia, we barely know each other and still I don’t care, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I feel a single tear fall down my cheek as I look up at the man in front of me.
My knight in shining armor.
He reaches up and wipes away my tear with his finger and lowers his lips to mine. When they touch I feel my world tilt on its axis. This can’t be real or happening to me, this feeling of overwhelming love for a man who I barely know is more real than anything I have ever felt. At the same time, there has to be something else going on because this isn’t a movie or book, this is my life.
Elias reaches his hands down and lifts me up off the ground and I wrap my legs around his waist. Kissing him is the only thing I want to do and as my fingers run through his thick black hair I realize I never want this to end.
“Mia,” he says, pulling his mouth away from mine.
“Yes?”
“I was so afraid that if I told you, you would run away and I would never see you again. I know how crazy this is and I can’t explain this pull I have toward you but I promise, I will never do anything to hurt you and I will do everything in my power to protect you from now on.”
His sincerity and vulnerability pull at my heart as I caress the side of his face.
“I will never leave you, Elias, I swear,” I say as my lips once again touch his.
Our bodies fall onto the couch and as his hand makes its way under my shirt the alarm on my phone begins to blare.
“We should go,” he whispers and when I look into his eyes I get lost. I reach over and hit the button to silence my phone. I turn back and look at him.
“Five more minutes,” I say and I watch as he smiles and pulls me back into his lips.
I wish we could spend more time alone together but we both realize when my phone alarm goes off again that we were officially going to be late. We gather our stuff and run out of my apartment. Elias flings open my door and picks me up and lifts me into the seat.
“Maybe she won’t notice?” I ask as he shuts my door and runs to the other side of the truck and hops in.
“Lola notices everything,” he says as he kisses the back of my hand, turning the key in the ignition.
“Oh my god, she is going to fire me on my second day.” I start to panic, the money from last night was unreal but it’s not enough to cover what I owe.
“Let me talk to her, I promise it will all be okay,” he says and I believe him.
The truck barely stops before Elias throws the truck into park. As he opens his door I crawl over the seat, “It’s faster, c’mon,” I say, grabbing his hand as we run toward the employee entrance. With a quick kiss, we each run in different directions and I hope Lola doesn’t kill us both.
“Holy shit Mia we thought you changed your mind,” Wren says as I run into the room, stripping off my sweats and hoodie.
I plop down in front of the mirror and get to work on my makeup and then I get an idea, “Has Lucy gone on yet?”
“Yes, she’s on right now. It should be about fifteen or twenty minutes, why?” Steph asks.
“I think I have a way for Lola not to kill me but I need your help.”
♘
“Elias, now I know you have a damn good reason why you and my newest dancer are late,” Lola spins around on the barstool and stares me down.
I can’t stop smiling, “I’m sorry Lola, it won’t happen again.”
“What’s with the smile? You and Mia didn’t?”
“No, Lola we didn’t,” I watch as she cocks her head to the side. She stares at me and then I see the realization cross over her face.
“No,” she gasps and I nod, “And she?” again I nod and she flies off the seat and jumps into my arms.
“You finally told her that you loved her and she didn’t run for the hills?”
“Thanks a lot for your vote of confidence, and for your information, she actually said it first,” I say knowing that Lola is the only person in this world I had confided my crazy love at first sight story with.
“Well I’ll be damned Elias, I’m so happy for you, I’m still mad as hell and you two are going to be in so much trouble after shift, but right now I’m happy that you’re happy.”
At the sound of applause, Lola and I both turn around to see the runner sweeping up the money and then one of the waiters rolls out what looks to be one of the chairs from the girls’ dressing rooms.
“What the fuck?” Lola says and when she takes a step I stop her.
“Just wait,” I tell her, I have a feeling I know who made the change in plans.
The room goes dark and the music starts.
Cowboy…
The spotlight flicks on and there in the middle of the stage is Mia facing away from everyone. All anyone can see is her long brown hair draped over the back of the chair, her legs spread to the sides, and her bright red heels.
Cowboy…
She pulls her legs in and the lights go out again. The spotlight turns on but this time Mia is facing the crowd. She is wearing a cropped white t-shirt as the song plays on.
Then out of the darkness, two pitchers appear, and Mia throws her head back. Water pours down the front of her shirt, exposing her breasts as if she has on nothing at all.
“She’s fucking amazing,” Lola says grabbing my arm as we both watch intently.
Mia slides off the chair and crawls along the stage until she reaches the front where a group of men who look like they are having a bachelor party are. She lays back, flat on the stage and I watch as she lifts her legs and then spreads them almost in a complete split before she rolls over and gets on all fours again.
I watch as the men put the money in her G-string as she crawls to the next table.
Harry, Gus, and Paul are definitely getting more than they are used to. Mia is there in front of them and she is motioning with her finger for them to come up to the stage. Harry stands up and when he gets there Mia grabs his head and shoves it into her chest.
Everyone cheers, including me, I know it’s fucked up but watching her is mesmerizing. She kisses him on the top of his head and moves on.
As the song goes on I finally realize that the lights in the room are getting brighter and brighter. By the time she finishes in her last pose which has her doing a full split with her legs raised while Steph, Wren, and Lucy pour more water over her, the entire room is electrified.
