Chapter 13 #2
He probably handles rich people shit. Corporate breaches and espionage, embezzlement, and leaks of proprietary data.
Important, sure. But not where my heart lives.
My heart lives in the messier stuff. The human stuff.
Helping victims who don’t have the resources to fight for themselves.
It seems so much more appealing than private companies working to determine who stole their money.
While I’ve only considered jobs in law enforcement in the past, I haven’t ruled out other sectors. If they hold enough of an appeal to get me excited to work each day.
Especially ones run by Max Wilde.
By the time I’m dressed and back on the floor, my nerves are buzzing. The constant thoughts that have invaded my mind are messing with me. I wonder what he’s working on.
I catch myself scanning VIP again. Nothing. No Max. It’s been weeks since he was here. Was he out of town? Avoiding me? Or worse, had I crossed some invisible line by showing too much interest?
Nice way to follow Lala’s advice, Cassidy. Just do your damn job and leave him alone.
Anthony passes by just as some silver-haired guy is leaning way too close to Brier. “Girls like you don’t end up in places like this by accident,” he murmurs. “What would it take to keep you busy for the rest of the night?”
Brier’s lips part in surprise. Her eyes flick toward us for half a second in a silent did you just hear that?
I feel my stomach twist. Lala actually makes a face.
Anthony clears his throat as he and Lala move toward him.
The guy’s confidence evaporates on the spot.
Then, in the midst of this chaos, I feel it before I see him. That familiar current swirling in the air between us. He’s here. Standing at the bar.
My pulse stutters. I debate approaching him for a full five seconds before common sense wins. Don’t. He’s a member. He pays to not be bothered. You are literally working. So I stay where I am. Which turns out to be pointless, because he steps up beside me.
“Hi.”
Every coherent thought in my brain evaporates. I light up as if someone flipped a switch. “Hi.” I turn to face him. “You haven’t been around much lately.”
He hesitates for a moment. His eyes briefly drop their hold on mine and land on my mouth before returning to look at me. “Yes, the nature of the business.”
My mind starts reeling to places it shouldn’t go.
It’s like my body is a volcano and I’m trying to force down this curious, enthusiastic lava with my teeth.
I try to steady myself, focusing on the beautiful dark stubble along his jaw.
The way his thick hair looks as if he’s recently run his hands through it.
How brilliantly intense his blue eyes are.
Anything to keep my wayward thoughts in check.
Please say something, I internally plead. Anything. Distract me with water cooler small talk, like recent sports events or the weather. Whatever will keep my mouth shut.
However, he just stands there. Looking all tech god gorgeous in a pair of dark gray slacks and a white button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to expose those mouthwatering forearms. Normally, this sight alone would have me imagining what lies beneath.
But not today.
Without thinking, I blurt, “Are you trying to catch someone? Maybe I can help you prove something nefarious is happening.”
He goes very still, his expression shifts. It’s subtle, but there’s no miscalculation.
I’ve made a big mistake.
My eyes dart around us, ensuring no one heard me but him.
Yet the elation I previously felt at his arrival has vanished.
And the smile behind those azure eyes is gone.
I’m not sure whether it’s because he pays a ridiculous membership fee to leave his stress at the door, or that I’ve made him uncomfortable asking things I shouldn’t.
Incredibly private things. And I know better.
Either way, I wish I could take it back.
The space between us now feels entirely too small.
I should apologize and walk away. Jeez, I’m so much smarter than this.
How had I let these irrational dreams push me to do something so blatantly stupid?
I need to pray he doesn’t say anything to Gianni about my misstep. What was I thinking he’d say?
Yes. It’s top secret, but I trust you and your pink hair and gentleman’s club work history to join me and my team.
You have no one to blame for this atrocious blunder but yourself. Lala couldn’t have made it more clear that this is a business centered around the rich members of this club. Their satisfaction and privacy are of the utmost importance. And I just walked all over both of those.
My face pales as it hits me. For all of my unbridled eagerness to pursue a cybertechnology career, I’ve just put a target on the only job I have. Not to mention a secure place to live.
In this brief interaction, it’s become apparent I don’t have any idea what kind of man I’m standing next to. Because if Max goes to Gianni and voices his dismay over my behavior, I’m likely out of both.