“Well, how much, Anna? I’ll take one,” he chirped, grabbing his wallet out of his pocket, grinning like crazy.

“How much you got?” I leant in as he opened his wallet.

He counted for a couple of seconds. “Fifty eight dollars and twenty five cents,” he answered, looking at me hopefully.

I waved my hand dismissively. “Nowhere near enough,” I replied, scrunching my nose up. Ashton laughed, so I turned to him and raised one eyebrow. “You, on the other hand, can get one for one drink. Two drinks will get you a private one. And for three drinks, I’ll do it in my sexiest underwear,” I offered. He groaned and a pained looked crossed his face.

“I’ll buy you three drinks, Anna,” Seth interjected, jumping up quickly.

I shook my head, smiling apologetically. “Sorry, Seth, your price is much higher. This one’s just for my man,” I explained. I scooted to the edge of my seat, pressing my side against Ashton’s as I leant in closer, leaving our mouths millimetres apart. “Three drinks is all it takes. I might even forgo the no touching rule, seeing as it’s your birthday.” My body was begging for him to accept, I would definitely forgo the no touching rule they usually had for lap dances.

“I can’t,” he whined, looking at me pleadingly.

I shrugged nonchalantly. “Offer expires at midnight, that’s when your birthday is officially over.” I ran my nose up the side of his, listening to my heart thumping wildly in my chest.

“Anna, please?” he begged, closing his eyes.

“Anna please… what?” I asked, nibbling on the edge of his jaw.

“You’re killing me,” he moaned, shaking his head. I pressed my lips to his, kissing him gently before pulling back and grinning wickedly.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Nate stand and walk off. A minute later he came back and set three shot glasses down in front of Ashton. “You’ve only got until midnight before the offer expires, Taylor. If I were you, I would drink them the hell down, right now,” he suggested, looking at me longingly.

Ashton glanced at his watch and groaned. “It’s ten to twelve now.”

I smiled. He was definitely wavering. “Well, how about you do one shot and I give you a taster, and if you like it you can do the other two,” I offered. I watched his face as the offer sank in. He wanted it badly. As if unable to help himself, he picked up one of the glasses. My stomach clenched in anticipation of having to give him a lap dance in front of everyone, but the alcohol in my system was giving me the confidence. Putting my hand on the bottom of the glass, I guided it towards his lips, watching his face as he tried to decide.

Before he could make up his mind though, a fight broke out in the bar. I didn’t even get the chance to flinch before Ashton was out of his seat and had yanked me to my feet, pushing me against the wall as he stepped in front of me protectively. As sounds of a struggle rang out, I hooked my fingers into his belt loops and stayed still and quiet, just like he had taught me to.

Within minutes, it was broken up and two drunks were thrown out of the bar. Ashton turned to face me, cupping my face in his hands as he bent and planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. “I’m not having a drink. Now don’t ask me again,” he said sternly. His tone told me that this was the end of the conversation. I nodded in agreement, knowing he wouldn’t change his mind now. That little fight had spiked his protective instincts, he wouldn’t waver again.

When we got back to the table, he took a seat and gripped my waist, pulling me down onto his lap. Nate shook his head and laughed. “Bud, talk about overreaction. That fight was never coming over here,” he mocked.

“I don’t care. I’m not having Anna near anything like that,” Ashton replied, shrugging.

Reaching out, I picked up one of the shots, pushing another towards Nate. “Cheers.” I chinked my glass against his and then knocked back the shot.

Nate smiled and downed the drink at the same time I did. “Is it after midnight already?” he asked, grinning as he rolled his eyes at Ashton. “I can’t believe you blew your chance.”

“Maybe another night then,” I said shrugging. I hadn’t ruled out the possibility of giving him one anyway if he asked me nicely. After what he was doing for me, I owed him something. If I wasn’t here with him tonight, he would be drinking with his friends, instead of working. I was ruining his birthday celebrations. Ashton looked like he wanted to say something. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. “Cat got your tongue, Pretty Boy?” I teased, looking into his beautiful green eyes.

He nodded. “I guess. It’s just… what’s got into you today?”

I smiled and shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just having a great time here in LA with you.”

He grinned at me happily. “Well I’m having a great time here in LA with you too,” he replied, kissing my cheek.

“Hotties at three o’clock!” Nate announced, nudging Seth in the side.

“I call the redhead!” Seth said quickly.

“Damn it! I was gonna call the red!” Nate grumbled, clearly annoyed. I laughed and shook my head as they stood up and walked over to the girls with their game smiles plastered on their faces.

“Wanna dance?” Ashton offered, nodding at the busy dance floor. His hand traced my back slowly, causing my skin to break out in goosebumps. I nodded in agreement, and we wove through the crowd.