Stripped Love (Guys Next Door #1) - Baylin Crow Page 0,3
I sank into the plush cushion while they each sat across from me.
“Here you go, gentlemen.” The waiter placed a bottle of top shelf vodka on the table with three short glasses. “I’ll be by to check on you in a bit.”
After thanking him, I continued to scan the space. Booths with gauzy curtains partitioned each section, giving the illusion of privacy, but in truth, there wasn’t any. From where I sat, I had a good view of an older man being treated to a lap dance from a very enthusiastic young entertainer. People were always saying do what you love, and this guy seemed to really enjoy his job, I mused.
Fingers snapped in front of my face, and I jerked back.
"Earth to Archer." Lips tilted in an amused grin, CJ held one of the glasses of expensive vodka out to me, and I frowned. Still I took it and sipped the nasty drink. I paid for it with a shudder, and he snickered. “We gotta get you liquored up so we can talk you into one of those.” He tilted his chin toward the dancer, who was still very much into the routine. “Then you can eye-fuck your own dancer, instead of perving on that guy’s good time.”
My nose wrinkled. "I was doing no such thing, Corey Joe."
And I wasn't. I was merely curious. In fact, while I was definitely gay, I rarely took interest in guys. Never enough to do anything about it anyway. Something they both knew.
"Oh no, you're in trouble now, Corey Joe. He’s breaking out with the full name," Caleb drawled, attempting and failing to mimic my southern accent—yes, I had one, but it wasn't that bad. Not like most of the folks in the state, probably because though I was born in Georgia, I’d spent a large chunk of my life living with my mom and stepdad in Florida. But the twins had been Georgia transplants from Vermont five years ago, so the accent hadn't taken root at all.
"Okay, okay. No one's in trouble…yet." CJ snagged my glass and tipped up the bottle, topping it off, before pushing it back across to me. "Peace offering."
I eyed the glass with disgust. Caleb had no such problems and downed his in one long gulp. CJ followed right behind him, slamming his cup back to the tabletop. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shot me a grin. "Bottoms up, birthday boy."
I groaned, regretting it before it even touched my tongue. “Fine.”
My throat burned and warmth bloomed in my stomach as I swallowed every drop. I cringed and pounded my chest, coughing and mentally cursing my friends.
CJ cackled and Caleb slow-clapped as he reached for my glass. "Want another?"
"Absolutely not." I scowled. It felt like the fumes were burning my nose hairs. "I need to get some water."
When I couldn’t spot our waiter, I pushed up from the chair, but CJ hopped to his feet. "Sit your ass down and enjoy the view. I'm on it."
“Thank you.” Settling back in the seat, I let my gaze dip over the railing, down to the main floor. My attention was drawn to a man dancing beneath a bright red light on stage. He was dressed in mock fireman bunker gear—well, most of the uniform. The jacket was missing, but the coverall bands held up the bottoms, and he still wore the helmet. The song he moved in rhythm to had sirens blaring in the background, and I had to admit that was clever.
As he tugged one band down his muscled arm, I averted my eyes and scanned the rest of the room. Among the crowd, I found dancers in the same shorts our waiter wore circulating the room. Others were already earning tips from air humping men, and a few women. I found the whole thing oddly fascinating, but I wasn’t interested in joining in the fun. Not even with the help of the liquor slowly loosening my limbs.
"Here," CJ said, grabbing my attention as he set a closed water bottle on the table. He dropped into his chair and leaned forward, craning his neck to scope the lower level. "Find anything interesting down there?"
"Not really," I replied honestly with a shrug.
CJ hummed. “We just have to find you the right guy. What about him?”
“Who?” My brow furrowed as I tried to follow where he was pointing.
“Red hair, brighter than yours. Tall. Pale, maybe? It’s hard to tell with the lighting.” CJ squinted.