CHAPTER 9 #2
I feel her words more than I hear them. I hate that I can’t protect her from it. But I love that she’s strong enough to want to handle it herself.
I nod once in understanding. Silently proud of her fortitude.
When I glance at the clock and see how little time is left before our doors open, I broach the subject from earlier.
“I own a few apartments not too far from here. One of my tenants just gave notice. You can come look at it and see if you’re interested.
It’s nothing special, but it’s yours if you want it.
” She opens her mouth immediately, and I can already see the refusal coming, so I hold up my hand.
“The rent’s affordable, and you could go month-to-month. No strings attached, no pressure.”
She shuts her mouth, sits back in her chair, and considers me. Her blue eyes search my face. There’s something deeper there, more than just hesitation.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Her voice is softer somehow, and her conflicting emotions are evident. “There’s already this.” She waves a hand between us. “Whatever this is. Being that close… that’s just asking for trouble.”
“Maybe,” I admit, holding her gaze. “But it also means I’m right there if you need anything. Or if your brother does. Another shoulder to lean on when you need one. It’s a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath. Nice, but not fancy.”
“It sounds great, really. I just don’t know if it’s wise. Can I think about—”
“Of course,” I say, cutting in gently. “There’s no rush. I’ll hold it for a week or two. And it’s no big deal if you don’t take it. I have it coming available and didn’t want to be an asshole for not putting it out there.”
She smirks, her lips twitching. “So, you’re only offering it because you don’t want to be an asshole?”
I chuckle, “God, woman. There’s no winning with you, is there?”
“Nope. Not even a little bit.” She laughs. “You should just get used to it now.” She shrugs at my deadpan stare. The smoky, sexy laugh that follows has my cock thickening further. “What? I’m just sayin’.”
“Yeah, yeah.” And fuck if I know why I do it, but I wink and say, “I see you.” Which has her smile widening.
“I see you too, boss man.” Annnddd I’m fully hard now. Up for whatever, whenever, with this woman. Goddamn, does she do it for me.
Her face is a work of art—achingly beautiful. I want nothing more than to grip her dainty chin and hold it steady as I explore her soft lips with mine.
She bites her lip as if she can read my damn mind. “I promise. I’ll think about it. But this is already fucking torture.”
It sure the fuck is.
“Yeah,” I say gruffly and nod. We’re in a goddamn pickle here.
My security staff starts to arrive. They react the same—a brief moment of stunned silence when they first see her.
The new bartender, Bryan, nearly trips over himself.
His eyes land on Lily, and his feet stop working while the rest of him doesn’t get the memo.
The males I employ gravitate towards her, smiling like idiots at everything she says. I shake my head as I watch it go down.
They look at her like she’s a goddamn myth come to life. A fucking unicorn.
Fuck my thoughts right now.
I wave Bryan over to join me behind the bar to start his training. All the while, I keep Lily in my peripheral vision.
Lily greets Raven like they’ve known each other forever. Within minutes, she also has Jinx and Alex laughing at something she said. She’s sociable, handing out compliments and asking questions like she genuinely wants to get to know each of them.
Meanwhile, Bryan begins to get on my nerves because he’s distracted. I try to cut him some slack since neither of us can focus while Lily weaves her threads, flashing that blinding smile, and filling the lounge area with her southern accent and that breathy laugh of hers.
Andre, my head of security, a big guy with linebacker bulk, relays the rules for the clientele and what to do if she needs help.
“If anyone crosses the line, we’ll be watching. We’ve got you, but flag one of us down if someone gives you the wrong vibes or does something on the sly. We got no problem throwin’ someone out on their ass if they touch you inappropriately.”
“I would hope so.” Lily squeezes his bicep. “My God, look at these jacked muscles.” I’ve never seen Andre blush before, but damn if he doesn’t at her compliment.
I’m hit by unexpected pain, a nail hammering straight into my temple. It doesn’t just strike home. It spirals outward through my skull.
“Motherfuck.” I grip the bar, fighting to stay upright. My knuckles hit something, and a second later, I hear a glass tumble across the bar top. My vision blurs. I wince against what feels like my brain being pried open and brace for what I know is coming.
It funnels through without warning— half movie reel, half rapid-fire images.
A burly man yanking open the door of a blue classic car—a Chevelle, maybe—a girl’s arm gripped tightly as she exits.
Her dress, hair, and side profile. She stumbles, nearly tripping.
Bleached-blond hair. Pink heels. I strain to see more of her face, but just as I’m about to make out her features, the image dissolves like smoke.
When I pull myself back together, the silence around me is unnerving. Fucking awkward, like always.
People are staring—Raven’s one of the few who knows not to.
I’m fully aware of the halt in conversation, along with the concern and curiosity, and the discomfort that follows my episodes. Which is what I call them.
“You all right, boss?” Bryan asks. I wave him off and clean up the spilled drink.
The pain doesn’t leave entirely. It only dims a bit, enough for me to breathe steadily again. But knowing I need a minute to pull myself together, I mumble that I’ll be right back and make my escape.
Whispers follow me. They’re probably explaining my episodes to Bryan and Lily. My gut clenches at the idea, but maybe it’s better if she knows now. It’s not like it’ll be the last one she’ll see.
What matters is what I saw. A new piece of the puzzle. That blue car.
I hurry to my office, jotting down the details before they slip away. I send my notes to myself in a text so I can think on it later, when Bryan’s not waiting on me. After swallowing a few aspirin, I splash some cool water on my face, clear my head, and then head back to the bar.
What I hear when I reenter halts me in my tracks. Honey interrupts Raven and Lily’s conversation with a snide comment. “So, you’re here to show us how it’s done.”
Lily catches my gaze for a mere moment. Her look tells me to stand down. With a raised brow, I silently say, let me see it then.
“I’m just trying to be me,” Lily says calmly, tapping her fingers on the bar. “Maybe the customers will like it, maybe they won’t. But from what I’ve heard, you’re already killing it here. I just want to add to that, if I can.”
“You ever danced before, honey?” Roxy asks, her tone all fake sweetness and condescension.
“Yep, sure have.” Lily’s reply is no-nonsense, full of quiet confidence.
Honey shares a whispered retort with Roxy before they head to the dressing room. They burst into laughter the second they’re out of the main bar area.
Anger and frustration roll through me, because I knew they’d be a problem. Honey’s desperate to be the favorite and isn’t, and Roxy’s the reigning queen and doesn’t like the look of her competition.
Raven claps her hands and signals that we’re about to open our doors, so everyone needs to get to work. Lily finishes her drink, thanks me, and stands. But before she can get far, I call out to her and meet her halfway.
“If they give you any—”
“It’s okay,” she interrupts, her voice steady. She pats my fucking chest. My muscles jump, and something inside me ignites. “I expected it. I’ll let you know if it gets out of hand.”
I don’t know why I fucking do it, but I cover her hand with mine. Her eyes flare. I pull her hand away from my chest and give her fingers a quick squeeze. The temptation to bring them to my lips rides me hard, but I ignore it and slowly release her.
We’re almost eye to eye, her heels making up some of the height difference. My hands itch to hold her. But I can’t. She’s my employee, and that’s how it has to stay.
She gives me a grim smile. “I’ll handle it. You just manage”—she gestures behind me—“this place.”
“That includes you,” I reply, watching as her eyes flare wide with shock. I step closer, unable to help myself. Her gaze falls to my mouth for a beat, then rises again.
This close, her beauty is devastating. My fingers twitch, aching to slide into her hair, to pull her close and kiss her senseless.
“Bryan’s the one who needs your help,” she says breathlessly.
“You’re the one I wanna worry about, not fucking Bryan.”
She laughs softly. “Fucking Bryan.” We share a conspirator’s smile for a second before she steps back. Our fingers brush, and a jolt runs up my arm.
“Promise me you’ll come to me if it gets out of hand.”
Something flashes in her eyes. Emotion drains from her face, like a veil falling between us. The smile she gives me next is fake and throws me for a loop. “Promise.”
Without another word, she turns and walks away. I’m left wondering what the fuck just happened, what triggered it, and how the hell do I fix it?