*Ezra POV*

Swaying my hips with a tipsy mind, here I was with Taysha at Rollers club getting drunk and enjoying our time. We were celebrating again but this time it was High Rollers celebration. Michael and his team have just established their new branch. I couldn't believe how far we all came, I am so happy for them.

"You are zoning out again,"  Taysha said interrupting my thoughts."Don't tell me you are ripping your man's clothes off in your mind. Ez control, he is all yours after today's performance. Let these petty ladies enjoy them for one last time." She said winking at me while I just chuckled at her words

"You are the one to say, should I remind how both of you couldn't stop eating each other the last time we were celebrating?" 

"Yeah right." 

I might be tipsy but Taysha was totally wasted. She couldn't stop laughing and calling every man ugly. "Hey, you! My man is handsome than you."

Oh god, this woman needs to stop before she embarrasses herself anymore leaving no place for redemption. "Stop Tay, we all know your man is hot. Now c'mon they are gonna start their performance." Squinting our way through the crowd, we managed to find a spot near the stage. I was so excited about Michael. It wasn't my first time watching him dance and strip but definitely the first time after we started dating.

"So are the ladies there ready for our special show after months?" The host cheered making the crowd roar."Seems like all the thirsty ladies cannot wait. So why not we have some volunteers tonight?" If I said the crowd was roaring earlier, right now all I could hear was yelling and howling of women. Why do they need volunteers? Michael didn't tell me about this arrangement or was it he didn't want me to know about this? I could feel my rage inside.

I was about to leave the hall when a cold touch on my wrist stopped me. "Why don't you ladies be the volunteers tonight?" I was beyond shocked. Before I could even react, the host pulled us towards the stage.  "It was a special request from our Players." She whispered in my ear and went away leaving me and Taysha in the middle of the stage.

The lights went off and when it came back, there were 2 chairs placed in the middle of the stage. We decided to sit even though we both were clueless about everything. Looking around I could see the crowd fell silent.

I could feel a shiver run down my spine when I heard footsteps behind me.  My eyes were wrapped with a blindfold. There was soft music playing in the background, I knew Michael was in front of me, I could feel his presence, his smell, his confident aura that he carries around.

"Relax love, breathe. You are gonna enjoy a lot".  He muttered those words smoothly in my ears. His hot breath creating a pool of dampness in my sex. I don't know how long I could survive his torture. Something about doing this in front of so many ladies out there gave an adrenaline rush through my body. A sense of possessiveness and pride resurged inside me, making me smirk internally at how this man belongs to me, how I have tasted every inch of him, touched him, made him mine every time we made love.  

"Hey Ez, you look lovely. No wonder why Michael keeps sending daggers towards me." I recognized that voice, it was Mark.

" Mark what is happening, you guys have blindfolded us and made us sit here?"  As much as I wanted everything to be a surprise, my inner curious cat couldn't stop herself.

"Relax Ez, everything is gonna be fine. We will soon remove the blindfolds."  When Mark removed my blindfold, Michael stood in front of me looking so attractive and sexy. Soon the music blasted and the crowd hollered, Michael hovered over my lap without using his weight.  His captivating eyes locked with mine making my stomach churn. He took my hands and placed it on his chest, making me trace every inch of his chocolaty abs. How I wish to lap him with my tongue? "I can see the hunger in your eyes baby, can't wait ?"   

He knew what effect he had on me, but I wasn't ready to lose down so fast.  I took his big hands and placed it over my neck. " I don't think so, daddy. You might need to work a little harder."

I could see lust swimming in his green eyes. " You are playing a dangerous game, love".  He whispered in my ear while slowly swaying his hips and grinding against me.

" Then I wouldn't mind losing too",  intentionally touching his semi-hard cock  making him groan, "oops. Did I  make something hard?"  A smirk danced on my lips.  Michael stood up and ripped his jean costume leaving him only in G-string. I could hear women screaming ' take it off', only if they knew. He laid me and my chair on the ground, moving me under him. Humping himself above me in a sixty-nine position.  Picking me up he rolled me over my stomach, lightly pulling my hair, and ground against my ass, hitting each beat of the song. While his hips kept grinding against me, I could feel my arousal seeping through my panties. As I and Taysha were laid on the floor, Michael and Mark swayed themselves towards the audience, showing their grown boner through their G strings all the while dancing and humping in the air. The crowd went wild while we both laid there exhausted and sweaty. It was satisfying to watch them dance happily.

                                                                               ___ ~•~___

After their performance, they went inside to get changed while we decided to wait in Taysha's car.

"What is taking them so long?" Taysha huffed impatiently, just then both our phones dinged with texts.

"Michael got some urgent work."

"Mark got some urgent work."

We both said at the same time. Looks like we were ditched by our partners.  It was disappointing but we both knew how demanding the shareholders are. Mike had pre-informed me that he may or may not be able to stay with me after the performance. Since both of our partners were busy we decided to crash at Taysha's place. It has been so long since we spent some girls' night together. After they moved out of my place, we hardly got time to catch up with each other's life.

We pulled in front of Taysha's house. She unlocked the door and I dragged my feet to the living room. The first thing I did was to get rid of my heels and made myself comfortable on the couch. I was very tired due to the new work responsibilities as a project manager and then we went clubbing. Thankfully it's already the weekend. Taysha came back with two glasses and a bottle of wine. She is definitely a saver.

"Here", she handed the glass to me.

"Thank you. By the way, where is Suzy? Is she with your neighbor?" I asked since it's been long since I saw my teddy girl.

"No, she went to visit her grandmother. She will be spending the weekend there." 

"Oh. Aren't you missing her?" I don't know how, but it's quite rare for Taysha to stay away from Suzy.

"I do, in fact, a lot. My little angel is the ray of light in my life. But since mom wanted to pamper her so she suggested to bring her there. But I must say Mark is helping in filling that space and loneliness."

I knew there was something going around, internally I always paired her with him. Mark is a nice guy, even having a reputation of a fuckboy like Michael, he respected women a lot. "So, you and Mark are officially together now?"

"Nothing is official as of now. We agreed on taking things slow. After Noah, I never went into any relationship. Of course, I dated after him but nothing serious. But with Mark, it is different. I really like his company. He is very understanding. Also, he is very patient with Suzy. He just met her twice but has left a good impression on her. She just adores him."  I could hear the genuineness in her voice. She deserved it. At least after all the hardship, she faced.

"Good to hear that, I am so happy for you Tay." I smiled at her showing how happy and contented I was to hear about them.

"Now enough of my story. Tell me yours."   she asked wiggling her eyebrows. 

"Ok so what do you want to know?"  I said while pouring more wine into my glass. "

"Everything Ez."

I told her everything that happened between us from the start. There's nothing to hide from her. We are sisters for life and I love this transparent bond between us.

"Do you love him?" I paused for some time, pondering over her words. Yes it's true I have been thinking about stepping up our relation but there was this fear of rejection and betrayal. Yet I know better than this.

"Yes, I do."  I said being very sure about my feelings for him.

"OMG I thought you would deny this but you seem so sure about this." I might have denied at the start but not now, not anymore.

"What's there to deny Tay? I think I have fallen madly in love with him. There's this undeniable chemistry between us. We started off as cuddle partners, then friends and now we are dating. I don't know about him but he has become my addiction and energy to live. I just can't go a day without texting or listening to his voice." There was a small smile playing on my lips while I kept reminiscing our moments making me miss him more. 

"I think he also loves you. I could see in his eyes. His face brightens whenever your name comes up in any discussion. When you talk he just keeps looking at you. He also helped you with the bachelorette and went with you for the reception. Above all, he left his job as a stripper. Are these signs not enough?"  I just couldn't help blushing after hearing Taysha's observations. She's right about everything but there's still some hesitation. My past relationships have taught me not to believe in mere observations but words of the other. Observations could be deceiving but not the words coming out his mouth.

"You're right Tay but he hasn't said anything. We didn't even say the three magical words to each other. "

"Did you tell him about your feelings?" I nod my head in negation. "If he hasn't said anything then you take the first step. This is the 21st century. Don't always expect a man to take the lead."

I guess Tay is right. Why to stay in blind? I am sure of my feelings and maybe he is too. Just that we have not confessed it yet. 

"You're right Tay. I will confess to him tomorrow when we meet."

That night I laid in Tay's guest room while my mind wandered over my confession I would say to him. 

                                                                                ___ ~•~___

The next morning I borrowed Taysha's clothes and left for my place. Today is the monthly lunch with my coworkers. Last night since Michael ditched me I couldn't tell him about my plans for today, so, I just sent him a text about it. I also told him that I will meet him at his club tonight.

As per the ritual, I was late again. All of them were there and had already ordered the food. "Thank you Ezra for filling my wallet and letting me win",  Nick swayed the money in his hand. Seeing my confused look, he told me that they had a bet if I will be coming on time or not. He seemed really happy that I didn't break the tradition. I rolled my eyes and shake my head at their childishness, while others laughed.

The afternoon was spent laughing, eating, and drinking with the team. It was nice to have such great and assuring teammates.I couldn't be more thankful and happy. We all kept on making fun of each other. Some people would enact Mrs. Mills or any funny client they come across.

After lunch, I went to a jewelry store to buy a gift for Mike. I want to gift him something which would remind us of the time, I confess my love to him. They showed me various options but I couldn't settle for anything. I visited each and every shop yet I couldn't find anything special for him. My feet were aching from all the gift hunting. There was this one store which was still left. Again, nothing was attractive. I was ready to leave when the manager stopped me. He informed me that they have an option of customization, if I could draw or explain how I want, they might make that for me as soon as possible. I quickly gave them my design feeling relieved. "He must be really special ", the manager said looking at what I drew.

"Yes, he actually is." Wow, I have been confessing my profound love for him to everyone but not him. TONIGHT it is.  I hope I don't chicken out.

"Don't worry ma'am. I will get it done within a week's time. Just leave your contact number and I will let you know when it's done. " I gave them my number and just in case Mike's too.

I was about to cross the road when I came across a flower shop. Maybe I can confess my feelings with a rose right now till the time the gift is being prepared. I cannot wait too long or I won't be able to do it.

I parked my car in the parking area but didn't come out. I thought I should practice once what I will say to Mike. "Mike you were my cuddle partner, to begin with, then we became friends. Now we are dating. But I know that you are the one for me....." Naahhh. It's too cheesy and long. Just keep it simple Ez. One more try. "I love you, Mike." I guess it's way too simple. "Ahhhhh", I screamed inside the car mentally scolding myself for being this dumb. You can do this Ez. Don't be nervous. Just go with the flow. I grabbed the rose and headed towards the bar. 

It's been twenty minutes since I have been trying to find him, I went to his office upstairs but again no signs of him. Coming downstairs I was about to call him when I saw Stella, Mike's friend, and partner in this club. "Hey, have you seen Mike?" I asked her politely, we did meet a few times when I used to come here.

"I thought you were coming to meet me." She said with a sad face making me chuckle at her cuteness.

"Of course I did. It's just that I need to see him urgently. " I said trying to cheer her up but she laughed upon hearing me.

"Ez I was just teasing you. I saw him heading out some time ago." She said making me frown at her statement.

"Oh, but I didn't see him outside".

"Maybe you missed it. He is still outside because I can see his car." She pointed to the black Mclaren outside.

"Alright bub, thankyou so much." Then I went to look for Michael.  I even enquired with the bouncers but no one saw him.  I dialed his number but all went to his voicemail. I was about to leave the bar when the scene in front of me made me freeze on my spot.

Michael was with another girl, not just any girl. It was Kiara, Elena's friend, and their lips tightly locked with each other.

With tears cascading down my face, I could feel my heart breaking into pieces. I could hear it breaking like it was some fragile glass. I really wished that it was a glass that broke but not. It was my bloody heart. This is what I feared the most. BETRAYAL. At that moment, all I saw was red. I crushed the rose in my hand which meant to express my undying love for him but fate has other plans. Walking back to the parking lot I sat in my car and drove away from there leaving him with his new flavor.