Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love Read Free Page B

the bulge in that tight, white underwear. Of its own accord, her hand slipped into his. His hand was huge and callused. Why does a stripper have such rough hands? she wondered, transfixed by the sensation of touching him. It felt safe and exciting at the same time, and she got giddy and lightheaded.
    “Come on, it’ll be fun,” he pressed her, as she was too tongue-tied to speak.
    “I – I –” She stared at the stage in a panic. I can’t get up there in front of all those people. And what is he planning to do with me anyway?
    “You should take the bachelorette up instead,” she said at last, and indicated Amber. She thought she saw disappointment flash across his eyes, but Amber didn’t need to be asked twice. With a squeal of delight, she took the stripper’s hand and allowed him to lead her up the steps and onto the stage. Raven let out a long breath as she watched his perfectly-formed ass retreating from her. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be more confident, like Amber? As she watched him lead Amber onto the middle of the stage and stand right behind her, his hands on her hips, she burned with envy. She would’ve given anything to take Amber’s place. Why had she thrown away that opportunity? Suddenly something appeared on her right side. One of the strippers. The one with black hair and green eyes. He was gorgeous too, but not as gorgeous as her guy.
    “Come on stage,” he said in a soft voice. “I promise not to embarrass you.” He gave her a nice, encouraging smile. Something inside her snapped. She’d let life pass her by for too long, sitting on the sidelines while other people had fun. She reached out, took the hand he was offering and got to her feet. His hand didn’t have the same effect on her as the other guy’s, she noticed dazedly as he led her over to the stage.
    “Go, Raven!” the other girls yelled.
    “Your name’s Raven?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Hi, Raven. I’m Dalton.”
    He lined her up next to Amber and two other women who’d been picked as well. Her tummy jumped with nerves, but she forced herself to smile at the audience and enjoy the experience of this sexy man’s hands on her shoulders.
    “Just stay right where you are, and I’ll do all the work,” he whispered in her ear, and he began to dance around her. When she felt his hands gripping her waist tightly, she tried to stay relaxed. “Jump,” he whispered, and as she obeyed, he lifted her right off the ground and spun her around. There was a huge cheer from the audience, and her cheeks heated from self-consciousness and pleasure. He put her down again, and the six strippers danced energetically between the women. Then the guys moved behind her line of sight again and she couldn’t see Dalton anymore. She felt his presence right behind her, but when his hands landed on her bare forearms, they felt different. More like the first guy’s hands. She couldn’t resist turning her head and trying to see him. It was him. Adrenaline fluttered in her chest.
    “Hi,” he said, with the sexiest smile she’d seen in her life. “I hope you’re not too shocked, but I had to dance with you somehow. I’m Timo.”
    “Raven,” she said, too stunned to say anything else. His hands moved from her arms to her waist, and she had to restrain a sigh. It felt so, unbelievably good to be held by him. And then he stepped close, his pecs pressing against the back of her head and his crotch nudging at the small of her back. She let out a little gasp and the heat of his body seemed to burn her skin, even through layers of clothing. He moved her from side to side a little, making her sway as he danced. He was a really good dancer – strong and athletic, and she wasn’t surprised that he’d chosen stripping as a career.
    The song ended and a slower, romantic number began. Raven had lost all sense that there was an audience right in front of her. All she was aware of was the feeling of this scorching-hot man’s body pressing