"At home, right along with the rest of the show." she whispered in his ear before straightening. She could tell there was trouble afoot, and it surprised her just a little. She knew what to expect from one of her own kind...the possessive nature, the animal instinct to lay claim and defend what was his, but the thrum of tension she felt in his muscles, the note in his voice and the violence in his grip...it was thrilling and startling, the rage she felt simmering beneath the surface.

Thank God she wasn't going full nude tonight.

Drawing back, she took another spin around the pole at center stage, scaling it before dipping into a backbend as she slid gracefully down, holding only with her legs in a perfect spin before she landed in a handstand and took to her feet again.

As the final verse of the song played out, she made a show of returning to center stage and bending over to collect her hat, now full of dollar bills, before strutting offstage, the hand now bearing engagement diamonds waving a coquettish farewell from behind the curtain before the irised spotlight died.

When the applause rose, Anne trotted back out onstage to Ashley, no longer playing by the rules as she tugged him to his feet and threw her arms around him, kissing him eagerly as she did.

"Wisteria, ladies and gentleman, our own Anne Forsythe...apparently, as we just saw, soon to be Mrs. Ashley Cromwell! Congratulations to the happy couple!"

As the announcer finished, Anne broke the kiss, nuzzling her nose against his with a happy sigh.

"I love you, you beautiful bastard." she sighed against his mouth before turning to the crowd to wave, again brandishing her new ring.