I'm in Love With a Stripper by Michelle Marola

“No, it’s serious. Some of the girls who work at the club were approached by Blake.”
    “ What do you mean?” Alena grew confused with a small feeling of fear creeping up her spine.
    “ He has been offering the other girls money if they give him your phone number, address… you know other important information,” Jessica said.
    “ Are you serious?” Alena replied.
    Jessica nodded.
    “ I’ll have to talk to Royce. He won’t be happy,” Alena said.
    “ Just be careful, OK?” Jessica added.
    Alena nodded, “Yeah, I always am.”
    The girls parted ways. Alena went home to get ready for dinner with Royce and Jessica headed off to work the club for the night.
    Alena unlocked the door to Royce’s apartment and began to put her things away. It felt weird but at the same time it felt very right to come home to Royce’s place.
    She straightened up the apartment a little before slipping into the shower.
    She showered and then began to get ready. She applied her makeup. She then blow dried her hair and put on a little perfume.
    Alena stared into the mirror as she applied a few final touches to her makeup. She wanted to look perfect for tonight.
    She took the tags off of her new dress and took her new high heels out of their box.
    She changed into her new dress and shoes and continued to stare into the mirror. She felt nervous. She couldn’t remember the last time she went on a date. She thought for a minute. She hadn’t been on a date since her senior year of high school.
    She shook her head.
    Tonight will be fun , she reminded herself.
    She heard Royce unlock the door and made her way towards the living room.
    “Wow,” Royce said somewhat speechless as Alena approached him.
    “I’m ready when you are, ” Alena smiled.
    He grinned moving in closer to her .
    “ Are you sure we have to go out?” he said before bringing her in for a soft kiss.
    He continued to kiss her softly before reluctantly pulling away, “OK, OK. We better go or I swear I’ll stay here and kiss you all night.”

Chapter 11
    Alena smiled softy across the table at her handsome date.
    “ Wow, this place is really nice. Thank you for taking me to dinner,” Alena said as she took in the ambiance at the restaurant.
    Royce reached across the table to take her hands into his.
    “ I’ve wanted to take you here for a really long time,” he replied.
    The waiter approached the table and Royce ordered some wine for himself and Alena.
    “You know , I don’t really drink that much. You might end up getting me drunk tonight,” she confided to Royce.
    “I guess you never have time to?” Royce questioned.
    “ No—I’ve always worked and went to school or I had family stuff going on. Jessica was the first person to ever get me drunk. She can be trouble sometimes,” Alena replied.
    “ That’s OK. I’m going to be the second,” Royce grinned.
    “I guess yo u probably have ample experience with alcohol. Don’t you own a liquor store?” Alena questioned.
    He laughed, “Yeah, well don’t just call me a drunk. You can call me a sleaze too. I own a gun store, liquor store, pawn shop, and a real estate development company which really just means I’m a slum lord.”
    “Royce, I didn’t know you owned all of those businesses,” Alena replied a bit taken aback.
    He nodded.
    She squeezed his hand a little. He smiled as he stared into her stunning eyes.
    “You’re gorgeous tonight. I’m not sure how you managed to be more gorgeous than usual. I didn’t know it was possible,” Royce said.
    Ale na blushed a little and smiled, “Thank you.”
    The two continued to talk while they enjoyed their meal. The server came around and Royce ordered desert for them.
    “How about after we finish desert let’s go get you some more wine. I have to make sure I outdo Jessica,” Royce grinned.
    Alena giggled, “Sounds good to me.”
    The two ate desert and then Royce paid the check. The pair then made their way down the stre et to a quiet little wine