Needing Harte (1-800-DOM-Help) by Marilu Mann Page B

heart. And you deserve someone who appreciates that.”
    He wanted so badly to believe what Jason was saying, but the doubts wouldn’t go away.
    “What about his job? Is Harte going to be comfortable introducing me to his friends? ‘This is my boyfriend, he’s a stripper’.”
    Jason laughed out loud. “Ramey, have you ever heard Leo introduce me to his fellow teachers? Does he say, ‘this is my boyfriend and he owns a gay strip club’? No, what you hear him say is ‘this is Jason, my life-partner’. If Harte cares enough for you, his friends will accept you. Besides, I know plenty of cops who date strippers. You need to figure out if Harte is what you really want. If he is, then Leo and I will do what we can to help you, both of you.”
    Jason’s hands landed on Ramey’s shoulders and he gave him a brief shake.
    “Now, get your head out of your ass and decide if you want to pursue a relationship, either a real one or just the occasional scene, with Harte Donovan. And not that you asked, but I’m telling you. If you give up on this, just walk away from it without trying? Well, then you’re not as smart as I always thought you were. Now get out of here and go make some money. Your public awaits.”
    Ramey felt a little better as he left the office. Yes, there were some major differences between his life and Harte’s, but could they find a common ground? Could they find a way to mesh their lives without either of them feeling cheated? He might give himself permission to daydream about that while he danced.
    An hour later, as he took to the stage, he was still daydreaming about the possibility of a relationship with Harte. The music resonated through his body. The sound of the crowd, the excitement backstage, all of it filled his senses. It took him to a place in his brain very similar to the sub space he found at the hands of a good Master.
    He loved the ability to just let his body go, to move with the music and please himself and the crowd. He hit the stage with a big smile on his face and nearly fell right off the edge when he saw Harte sitting at a table up front.
    He could feel Harte’s eyes on him even as he continued with his routine. Every swivel of his hips, every clench of his ass, every time he ran his hands down his own body or flirted with someone in the crowd, Harte sat and watched. It turned him on in a major way to have Harte there and he started putting little extra moves and steps in his routine, wanting Harte to be turned-on too.
    The crowd was mostly on their feet as they clapped and egged him on. Money hit the stage, more than he’d ever earned in one night, and Ramey couldn’t stop grinning. Picking up his tips, he headed for the side of the stage, catching Harte’s eye again and tilting his head to the side. He saw Harte’s barely imperceptible nod and the grin stayed on his face as he headed for the dressing room.
    Ramey dropped his tips into a zippered pocket of the bag in front of the mirror he used and listened to the voices of the other dancers as they got ready to go onstage. In about two minutes he’d be alone in the room, but hopefully not for long. Shortly after the last dancer left, slamming the door behind himself, a short knock sounded and the door opened. Ramey looked into the mirror and met gorgeous blue-gray eyes.
    “Hi.” He winced internally at the uncertainty in his voice. Ramey turned and leaned against the makeup table, staring at Harte. In the sudden silence, he heard the lock click on the door behind Harte.
    “Hi yourself. C’mere.” Harte crooked one finger and Ramey ran toward him. Harte caught him hard against his chest, shoving his fingers through Ramey’s hair and holding his head for one of those fabulous kisses.
    Ramey felt his knees going weak but steadied himself against Harte’s body. Harte broke the kiss and just stared at his face.
    “What are you doing here?”
    “Watching you seduce every goddamn man in the room. Christ, Ramey, you’re