I'm in Love With a Stripper by Michelle Marola Page B

like you loved your brother a lot,” she added.
    He nodded , “I did. It took me a long time to grieve but I had to be strong for Gavin.”
    He stared into her eyes for a moment getting lost in their beauty.
    “OK, enough with the serious stuff. Tonight is about fun,” he said as he stood up from the bench.
    Alena smiled and followed his lead .
    “You know , I’m always here if you want to talk,” she said softly.
    “You have a good heart, Alena,” h e replied as he gave her a quick kiss.
    “Now , let’s go have some more drinks,” he said excitedly.

Chapter 12
    Aaron stared at Jessica from across the room. She was smiling and talking to some of the other girls at the club . He sighed and made his way into his office.
    I don ’t deserve her. She doesn’t deserve this , Aaron realized that Jessica deserved better than working as a stripper.
    Aaron decided to try and get some work done but all he could do was watch Jessica on the surveillance cameras.
    Aaron ’s heart began to race as he noticed Jessica was approaching his office.
    “ Aaron?” Jessica questioned as she tapped lightly on his office door.
    Aaron cleared his throat, “Ahem, yes?”
    Jessica opened the door to his office and made her way over to his desk.
    “Would it be OK if I went home early tonight?” Jessica asked sweetly.
    “ Why?” Aaron answered sternly.
    Jessica sighed, “Please?”
    “ Only if you go to dinner with me tomorrow,” Aaron smirked.
    Jessica was conflicted. Her mind told her that Aaron was a sleaze, who owned a strip club and only wanted to use her for her body. But her heart told her a different story. Deep inside her heart she knew that Aaron cared about her. Every night since she had begun to work at the club he had walked her to her car. He would often ‘forget’ that she took certain nights off or went home early and would pay her for them. If she ever complained about a client, no questions asked he would kick them out.
    “ OK. I’ll go,” Jessica said.
    “ Really?” Aaron stared at her with disbelief. He almost fell out of his chair.
    “ You’d better take me some where nice,” she added.
    Aaron grinned, “Of course Jessica, darling. Only the best for you.”
    Aaron walked Jessica to her car.
    “ So, I’ll pick you up at eight?” Aaron continued to grin.
    “ Yeah, that’s fine. No funny business, OK?” Jessica replied.
    “ Me? Funny business. Of course not,” he replied nervously.
    Jessica left the parking garage. She called Alena on her cell phone.
    “ Hello?” Alena answered.
    “ Hey it’s me, you’re never going to believe what I just got myself into,” Jessica said into the phone.
    “ What are you talking about?” Alena questioned.
    “ I told Aaron that I’d go on a date with him,” Jessica replied.
    “ What? Really?” Alena exclaimed excitedly.
    “ Yep,” Jessica replied.
    “ Jessica, I think that’s great!” Alena said.
    “ What? Why do you say that?” Jessica questioned.
    “ Because now you can finally see what he is like outside of the club. Maybe he will act differently and if not... well now you at least know. You won’t have to waste your time wondering what might have been,” Alena said.
    “ Alena, you are right,” Jessica said.
    Jessica continued, “So, are you going to come by tomorrow and help me get ready?”
    “ Of course!” Alena replied enthusiastically.

Chapter 13
    The next night Aaron was going crazy. He paced around his kitchen.
    “ Crap,” Aaron muttered to himself.
    “ I have to make tonight really special for her. What to do... what to do...” Aaron continued to talk to himself.
    Aaron immediately made reservations for the most romantic Italian restaurant in town. He then went by the flower shop and bought Jessica an arrangement of red roses.
    Since he had some time to kill he decided to call Royce and let him know what was up.
    “ Hello?” Royce answered his cell phone.
    “ Hey man, you are never gonna believe this,” Aaron