They turned into the club with its lavish marble exterior and the waiting valets, Richard was on such a high he didn't want to let this night end a downer. "You're not going to be discouraged if the crowd doesn't carry on like we husbands did are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well this is a strip club," he said. "I'd say women pole dancing in tops and shorts are not going to get the same attention of women who are stripping and dancing nude." he glanced over at Kate and got an incredulous look. The realization hit him like a bolt. "Oh wow, you mean..."

"Yes. I'm going to strip on stage. Down to a thong. Unless you say no. he thought you said OK a little quick back there," Kate said.

"Willingly?" he asked.

"What?"

"You are going to strip willingly?"

"It is a surprise for your birthday," she said. "You have always said you thought I was too modest. This puts it all to an end tonight." She paused. "That is unless you've changed your mind."

His heart was pounding. He was sure she could hear it. His ears were roaring. "I never dreamed, uh, I've not changed his mind. Oh hell Kate, I can't wait."

 

***

INSIDE THE VIP

 

Inside the VIP room each of the pole-dancing class women had their own individual black man to whom they were supposed to direct their attention. Joshua Smith, the tight end was with Gwen, and linebacker R.D. Delman was with Alexandra. They were not introduced to the other two men, and they referred to the two women on their laps simply as "Nine" and "Fifteen."

When he heard that Cedric laughed. "Damn, I got girl number 10 who is a 10. I might just call you "Twenty" he joked.

"My name is Kate," she said.

"OK, Kate it is. Kate my 10 for the night."

Kate was not a heavy drinker and had already had two margaritas before going on stage at Gwen's suggestion. Add the one she had while sitting with Cedric in the main room, the two bought by the man who bought her dances, and it was enough to take some of the tension away as she followed the massive black man into the VIP room. He was at least six feet five, with thick broad shoulders that narrowed down in a "V" to a tight waist. He had no flab. She felt tiny as she walked beside him.

Kate smiled to herself as she recalled the look on Richard's face when she told Cedric that Richard was a big fan and Cedric asked her to point him out and he waved at him.

"Think he is getting a kick out of knowing I've just paid a couple of grand to spend some time with his fine wife?" Cedric asked.

"I don't know but if I had to guess I'd say yes," Kate giggled. "He's on sensory overload already-he's always pushed me to get out there-wear more revealing clothes, be more sexy, but I've always resisted until lately."

"What changed?" Cedric asked.

"My new friend Gwen," Kate said. "She opened my mind to the potential fun I was denying myself as well as my husband."

"I'm all in for the fun," Cedric said, sliding his hand up her back and brushing the outside of her bare breast discreetly. She jumped. She was told she would be expected to dance, but before going out on to the floor for the table dances Sharon reminded all of them to not be trading feels for extra money-it was against the rules. Kate gently put her hand on his thick wrist and pushed his hand down.

"Damn girl, you have some pretty tits, and I mean those are the nicest nipples I've ever seen on a woman. They are just screaming out for me to touch them."

"I'm married," Kate reminded him. "And it is against the rules." Cedric moved his hand and pulled her tight against him, the side of her breast now pressed against his shirt, her nipples hardening as he stared at them.

"This permissible?" Cedric said, a lilt in his voice.

"Yeah, I guess that's OK," Kate said.

Richard could see that Kate had a large margarita and she and Cedric bumped glasses in a toast. Kate moved off his lap and stood, as did the others, and holding their drinks Cedric took her hand and following the waitress moved toward the back corner and through a door there.

 

"Where are we going?" Kate said. She was fearful they were wanting to take the party at some other location.

"VIP baby, the VIP," the dark black man with Gwen said.

"I thought the sign said reserved," Kate said.

"It is. Reserved for us," Cedric said. "Now it is time to party."