Girls in Red

After Midnight

It was about 3am by the time Charlotte was able to pull herself away from the patrons and get ready to head home. Even though it felt sleazy to flirt with many men of the night, that feeling always subsided when she counted her earnings. She was struggling to live off of her nursery paychecks and wanted to be able to put aside money for her daughters' futures as well. Charlotte wasn't sure how long she was going to carry on doing this, but for the time being it was a life saver.

She took her time wiping her face clean of makeup and slipping into her more comfortable clothes. The owner, Joe, had made her a jumper that had the club's name on it. She always wore it on her way out and would change out of it in her car. Joe held a strange affection for Charlotte and paid special attention to her. She never thought twice about it though. Stopping by the bar to get another water, she felt someone approaching her from behind.

Charlotte felt a shiver going down her spine, she wasn't Cherry Sweet at the moment. She was tired and ready to hit the hay so she tried to ignore whoever it was. Feeling the person's hands slide underneath her jumper and tracing her spine caused her to freeze. This could be one of two people. There were usually  a few men who stayed too late at the club because they were shit faced. This was usually the time they began to come onto the dancers, but she was really hoping that wasn't the case here.

" Oh Cherry, you were amazing tonight." The man breathed down her neck,"How about we keep the show going somewhere more private?"

"Thank you." She breathed out,"I've got to get going home. I work in just a few hours-" She tried to push past him, but he held her firm against the bar counter.

"Wrong answer." He chuckled, pressing his body into hers now that they were face to face. Charlotte was petite compared to the man in front of her and felt panic washing over her. "Just a few minutes, come on, Cherry, show me why that's your name."

Charlotte whined as she felt the man kissing down her neck. Typically Joe would shut down any sort of this behavior but he wasn't at work tonight. Something with his wife or whatever. It wasn't until she felt the man biting down that she yelped out.

And for the second time in the night, she made eye contact with Mia during an inopportune moment. She could've sworn Mia had left hours ago and was wondering what the hell she was doing still there? 

Charlotte watched something in Mia's face change and could see the redhead flexing her hands. She wanted to keep watching but closed her eyes at the feeling of the man licking over the bite he had just carved into her neck. A gentle sigh escaped her lips and she began to wonder if maybe she just get this over with instead of fighting him.

"Excuse me, sir. I've got to get Cherry home." Mia's voice was firm and there was an underlying tone Charlotte couldn't quite place.

The man didn't spare Mia a second glance and that's when she felt him being pulled off of her.

"Dude what the fuck?" The man slurred, raising his voice at Mia.

"I tried to be polite. She needs to get home."

"She's coming home with me." He attempted to pull Charlotte over to him, but Mia placed herself between them.

"She's not." She laughed darkly in his face, he reeked of whiskey. "She's coming home with me. Isn't that right, Sweetheart?"

Charlotte wasn't sure what to say so she just nuzzled into Mia, hoping to make it seem convincing. Sweetheart? Mia had called her that a few times at work but it always seemed to be condescending. Why was she continuing to use her pet name when no one else knew their connection?

The man finally backed off after Mia may or may not have given him quite the nosebleed. He wasn't taking no as the answer. So Mia didn't take his pleas of no seriously as she made sure he wouldn't be treating Charlotte like a little doll again.

Charlotte was a bit pissed off with Mia because she just scared off one of her regulars who brought in the most money of them all. She refused to speak to her as Mia escorted her out to her car. Mia just rolled her eyes at Char's pitiful attempt of anger and helped her into the car, buckling her in and starting it.

"Charlotte, I know you're mad." She spoke, close to her ear like she had been in the bathroom earlier. "But I couldn't watch him touching you like that and how uncomfortable you looked any longer."

Why did Mia even care?

"Okay fine. It's whatever." She sighed, looking at Charlotte's face before kissing her cheek gently. "Drive home safe and I guess I'll see you in the morning, Cherry."

"Don't you fucking dare call me that." Charlotte spat, her rage getting the best of her.

"And why not? Isn't that your name here?" Mia chuckled.

She stood in the space between Charlotte's car door and the inside of the car. Something about the way Mia's muscle flexed as she held herself up with her arm against the hood of the car and her pointed stare caused Charlotte to blush. She looked away from Mia but was quickly pulled by her cheek to look at her again.

"That's what I thought, Charlotte. "

"Shut up." She rolled her eyes, raising a brow at Mia's closeness.

"Feisty, aren't we? You need to go home and get some sleep."

"Maybe I just don't like you, Mia. Ever think about that?"

"Charlotte..."Mia's voice was stern,"I think we both know that's not true. But you're too afraid of what everyone thinks of you at the nursery."

"Mia that is uncalled for-"

"You're not denying it?"

"Denying what?"

Mia just shook her head and laughed, "Nothing, Sweetheart. Just proving me right."

"God you're so arrogant, how does your ego even fit through the car with you?"

"Very funny, Charlotte. Just remember... I know what you're doing now and I'm sure someone would be very intrigued to find out what Miss Charlotte was doing in her downtime."

Charlotte's eyes widened,"You wouldn't dare."

"Really think I wouldn't? You said it yourself... you don't like me. Why would I keep this to myself?" Mia dragged on, leaning back so Charlotte could get a glimpse at her full figure. "Or is it possible that even me of all people have a softer side?"

"Mia please-"

"I'll keep it a secret only for you, Cherry." She chuckled,"Don't ever speak to me the way you just did though because I will happily air this out."

The look they shared was full of tension and if Mia didn't know any better, she may have thought Charlotte was a bit turned on. But Sweet Charlotte wasn't interested in women, at least not to her knowledge. She finally ended their little stand off by winking at the smaller woman. It brought her pleasure to watch the way Charlotte's cheeks flushed bright red.

"You're so cute, Charlotte."

"Well I'm not being cute for you!"

"Sure."

And with that, Mia shut her car door and waved goodbye to Charlotte. How on earth could Charlotte go home and  rest after that?