I need to be honest.

Not now, but soon.

Right now I have a job to do.

Taking in a deep breath, I look out at my dancers and smile. “So does everyone remember the dance?”

A few shrugs and shy looks from everyone except for Reese. She nods with confidence as Piper says, “I know it, but I think I’m gonna look dumb with this big ol’ gut!”

“Never! You aren’t even that big!” I say with a shake of my head. “It’s about being sexy, hot, just move with the confidence that you are the sexiest chick in the world and Erik is sitting in front of you, drooling.”

“It works. I actually did this for Phillip before,” Reese adds.

I make a sound of distress as a look of horror comes over my face. “Reese! Niece here!”

She laughs and waves me off. “Again, I know you’re having sex, so hush.”

I stick my tongue out at her and then say, “Okay, I’m gonna do it, and y’all just follow along on the first part, and then we’ll work on the middle together.”

I push play to Beyoncé’s “Drunk in Love,” filling the studio with the sexy, erotic beat, and then I’m off. I move up and down the pole, moving my body like I want a hundred-buck tip. The older guys are good for those. Holding on to the pole, I move my hips against it and drop to the ground, legs open before going back up. It’s a very easy routine. I’m not trying to hurt anybody, and while I know the ladies are getting a great workout, I want it to make them feel like they are sexy as hell. When I reach the end of what we’ve rehearsed before, I hit pause and then turn to look at everyone.

“Good?”

Elli raises her hand and says, “I didn’t do anything ’cause like always, I’m distracted at how good you are at this! It’s insane! Y’all are gonna make a killing with this class. It’s only been a month, and I want a pole. I bet Shea will love that!”

Everyone laughs and I just smile.

I am good at this.

Now I just hope that the two people I care most for will believe in me.

After a great class, I take a quick shower in Reese’s old bathroom and then quickly get ready. I only have forty minutes to get ready, and to my surprise, I manage to make it on time. Wearing my favorite red skirt and black-and-white striped shirt, I top off the outfit with a pair of nude high heels that I stole from Reese and pull my hair in a high, messy bun since my hair is still a tad bit wet. I hope that Mrs. Sinclair likes how I look, but most all of all, I hope it makes Jude drool a bit. Packing my bag, I make sure I have everything because after we get back to Jude’s, I have to go straight to the club for my shift tonight. Since I have asked for almost every weekend off, Ms. Prissy is making me work a lot of weeknights. Some would think that isn’t good money, but it’s surprising how many business guys come in after a long night at work and will drop a grand at a time on someone they like.

Heading downstairs, I step out and find that Reese and everyone haven’t left yet. They are standing in a circle talking, and my heart immediately speeds up.

They are going to see Jude. And probably talk to him.

Fuck. Me.

Glancing at the clock, I see that I have three minutes to get rid of them.

“Aw, Claire, you look gorgeous,” Elli says, and I smile.

“Thanks, why aren’t you guys gone yet?”

Reese laughs as she snakes her arm around me. “We were waiting for Jude to get here.”

“For the love of God,” I mutter, and right on time, I hear the roar of Jude’s bike and then see him as he pulls up next to Elli’s SUV.

Shit, shit, shit.

Standing, he pulls off his helmet, brushing his hair out of his face and then he grins up at us.

“Sweet baby Jesus,” Piper mutters.

“Good job, Claire,” Audrey says.

“Really good job,” Fallon adds.

“Well, hot damn,” Harper laughs. “Claire got herself a hottie, huh?”

“If I were ten years younger and not married to the hottest man in the world, I would be hollering for sure,” Elli says, and all I can do is turn beet red because I know Jude hears them.

“Ooooo, Phillip is going to hate him even more now. That motorcycle is trouble,” Reese mutters as Jude heads toward us, looking confident as always and so freaking hot.

His eyes are locked on me and I freaking love that, but I know what Reese says is true. Phillip is going to hate every single thing about Jude.

The only problem is…I don’t care.

Man, Claire looks hot.

Even with the eyes of five beautiful ladies on me, I can’t take my eyes off her. She’s stunning, and I can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to have her waiting for me. Placing my helmet down next to hers, I head toward her, my eyes locked with hers. She’s all polished and glossed up, looking spectacular in a skirt that shows off those great legs she has. The same legs I want wrapped around my waist, and you better believe I’m counting down the seconds until that moment.

Don’t get me wrong, I love being with this girl, and I know this is not solely about sex, but I’m really going to love it when I can bury myself deep inside her without any rules or restrictions. The last six days have wreaked havoc on my control. Ever since I watched her come undone without me doing anything to her but watching, I’m constantly thinking of doing just that to her. I want the chance to make her come, to make her whisper or scream my name, but most of all I want to hear her say she loves me.

It’s crazy, but I think I love her.

The last six days I’ve been immersed in her. I’ve learned everything and enjoyed every second of it. I don’t get bored with her. I don’t wish I was anywhere else; I just want to be with her. I never thought I could miss someone every second of the day, but with her, I do. I miss her constantly and wonder what she’s doing at all times. I keep my phone close just in the hope she’ll text me. I’ve become one of those pathetic guys who live and breathe their girl, and I have no fucking problem with it.

I just want to hear those three words.

I need to hear them. I just don’t want to rush things, but every time she locks me in that intense, lusty gaze of hers, I feel like I’m losing my balance and falling hard against the ice. She knocks me on my ass every time, and I can’t help but enjoy it. She makes it hard to breathe, especially now as she heads down the stairs, a sneaky little grin on her face. When she stops in front of me, I take ahold of her waist and smile.