~ Chapter 8 ~
Cassie
The fog lifts and my eyes open. I have to blink a few times though before everything’s clear, and I’m met with Nico’s broad chest. My cheek rests above his heart, and the steady, strong beat calms my own from getting out of control.
My arm is draped over him, so I carefully lift it up and scoot away.
“No,” he grumbles in his sleep, and I smile.
“I’ll be right back,” I whisper, kissing his chest, and his arm around me relaxes so I can get up.
Standing next to the bed, I take a moment to admire him in all his glory. Goddamn, he’s beautiful. He’s built strong and solid. Like if he took on the world, he’d win.
I pick up the button-down shirt he was wearing last night from the floor and shrug it on. His scent envelopes me, and I bring the collar to my nose for a deep inhale, hoping I never forget it.
I spot my vibrator on the floor and my cheeks heat. I pick it up, along with my purse, and tip-toe to the bathroom. Leaning against the closed door, I take another deep breath.
What he did…
What we did…
I…
I’m literally at a loss for words, which is something that rarely happens. I usually have too many words. But Nico has rendered me speechless, and I know the words ‘holy shit’ and ‘amazing’ don’t even begin to cover it. Not even a little bit.
Shaking my head, I take a look in the mirror and my eyes widen.
“Oh my God,” I breathe, then cover my mouth when a little laugh escapes. I look like I’ve been thoroughly fucked.
I place my things on the counter and wash my vibrator first, then shove it back in my purse before quickly using the toilet and fixing my hair and smudged makeup.
I’m sore everywhere. I know I’ll be feeling it all night when I’m dancing, but maybe it’ll give me the mindset I need to slip into when I’m up on stage. I’ll imagine myself dancing for Nico again, and him fucking me like an animal against the stage.
That reminds me, I need to text Sam to apologize for last night and ask him for as many shifts as possible this week.
Me:Hey, Sam, it’s Cassie. I’m sorry about last night. We can talk about it tonight when I come in if you want, but I promise it won’t happen again.
Sam:Hi, Cassie. It’s okay about last night. I understand. But you don’t need to come in tonight.
Me:Oh, I thought this weekend was my trial period and you wanted me Friday, Saturday, and Sunday?
Sam:Yeah, I did say that. But last night was your first and last night. I’m sorry.
Me:Please, I need the money. I promise it won’t happen again.
Sam:Look, Cassie, it’s not my decision. Nico said you’re fired, so you’re fired. I’m sorry.
That motherfucker.
He had me fired?!
Who does he think he is?!
I throw the bathroom door open and startle Nico awake when it slams and bounces off the wall.
“What’s wrong? Did something happen?” he asks frantically, looking around the room.
“Yes, something’s wrong,” I grind out. “You had me fired!”
“Oh, that.” Nico’s shoulders relax and he rubs his eyes, then runs his hands through his hair.
“Yes, that, you asshole! Who do you think you are getting me fired? You’re the one who sent everyone away because your ego can’t handle anyone else seeing me dance.”
His face shutters closed and he climbs out of bed, approaching me with slow, deliberate steps, until my back is pressed against the wall.
“Who am I to have you fired?” He tilts his head and narrows his gaze. “I own that club. I can do whatever the fuck I want.” Nico pinches my chin to make sure I see his eyes when he says, “And you’re damn right I don’t want anyone else seeing you dance. The world gets to see how fucking sexy and beautiful you are just by stepping outside each and every day, and I already can’t stand that. So, yeah, I don’t want anyone seeing you when you’re showing them every man and woman’s fantasy playing out right in front of them. You’d be responsible for a mass fucking murder, Cassandra. Do you want that? My hands covered in blood because I couldn’t stand anyone looking at you the way I do?”
“You don’t get to make that decision for me,” I manage to say through my tight throat.
His close proximity is making my anger wane, and when what he said sinks in, I sag against the wall.
I can’t back down, though.
I can’t be that weak.
I steel my spine and press my hand against his chest so he keeps his distance. “I need that job. You’re going to call Sam and tell him you made a mistake.”
“I’m not doing that. I didn’t make a mistake. I don’t make mistakes.”
“You’re so arrogant!”
“For good reason,” he says, his cockiness driving me crazy.
“Nico, I need the money. I need to work there.”
“Why do you need money so badly?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“It is,” he insists.
“How?” I challenge, and his jaw ticks.
“My club, my business.”
I clench my jaw, keeping my mouth shut before I lose my shit. I take a deep breath in through my nose.
“Does it have anything to do with you no longer having a car?”
“Jesus fucking Christ!” I exclaim. “What is with you and my car? I sold my car last week, okay? Are you happy now that you know?”
“Yes, very,” he says smugly. “Why did you sell it? Does it have to do with your brother and the fact that he’s back in town and got the shit beaten out of him?”
“I don’t owe you an–” I cut myself off. “Wait.” I push on his chest to get him away from me, but he doesn’t budge. “How do you know about my brother? Did you look into my life? My background? My family?”
“I drove you home and a half-beaten man answered the door. Yes, I looked into your life. I knew you weren’t going to tell me.”
“Nico, that’s completely inappropriate. You can’t do that,” I tell him, nervous he might have found out too much.
“I can and I did. And I’ll go deeper unless you tell me what’s going on.”
“My brother’s in trouble and I’m helping him. That’s all you need to know.”
Nico’s eyes search mine. “I can help.”
“I don’t want your help. I can figure things out on my own.”
“Doesn’t mean you have to. You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
“You don’t know me like you think you do. I’ve been doing things on my own for a while now. Why stop now?”
“Since your aunt died last year, or before that?”
My heart sinks as the anger is wiped from me. “Are you kidding me?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sure she meant a lot to you. She took care of you when your dad died, right? What happened to your mother?”
“Why don’t you tell me? You seem to know everything.”
“Hardly. I want you to tell me.”
“Yeah, well, I’d like to not be fired, have my car back, get my brother out of trouble, and not have come here today to only have to explain any of this to you. I just wanted to forget for a few hours, but you’ve ruined that.” I push against him again, and he lets me move him away this time.
Finally, some air that’s not filled with the faint remnants of his cologne or the close proximity of his naked body that’s making me dizzy with need and filling my head with visions of everything we can do together.
“Put some damn clothes on,” I tell him.
“You’re wearing my shirt. How about you give it back?” He smirks, thinking he’s clever.
I grab my clothes off the floor and close and lock myself in the bathroom. I quickly redress, and when I emerge again, he’s still there, naked, and leaning against the wall beside the door with that dumb and sexy smirk still in place.
“Here.” I press his balled-up shirt against his chest and his hand covers mine – caging me in his warm embrace.
“Don’t go.”
“I have to. I shouldn’t have come here. It was stupid to think I could use you as a distraction.”
“It’s not stupid. I’ll happily be your distraction. In fact, if you take your clothes off right now, I’ll distract you for the rest of the day.”
“That was the last time, Nico. I can’t do this with you. Just leave me alone.”
I walk towards the door of his hotel suite, but as I reach for the handle, Nico covers my hand with his again. “I can’t leave you alone, Cassandra. I’ll go mad.”
“Then go mad.” I shake his hand off and fling the door open.
My heart is racing. It’s trying to go back to Nico as I lead it away from him.
I order a rideshare in the elevator so it’s outside waiting for me by the time I get down there.
I need to remain calm. I need to think.
I’ll have to find another job. I’ll have to find another club to dance in if I’m going to make enough money to help Sean. Even if we can’t get the full amount, getting close has to be good enough for now, right? Hopefully I can buy us another few weeks if I can show them I can eventually pay the full amount.