Chapter Five
Blaze
Thank goodness for a company that insisted on scheduled breaks. Otherwise, I might not have run into Darsh. When we passed from the busy and hectic club into the unfinished adjoining areas, my ears were thankful.
“I only have a few minutes left of my break.”
A soft smile tugged at his lips. They looked so soft, so inviting. “I think it will be okay if you take a bit longer. I’ll vouch for you.”
“You will?”
“Of course I will, Blaze. Word is out on what a hard worker you are.”
My heart stammered a bit. “How?”
“A report is compiled on new workers during their first week on the job. It helps human resources to know who will work out.”
Suddenly, I felt sick. “And you think I will?”
Darsh stopped short. A bright light right over him illuminated his bronze skin and made him, a work of art. “I do.”
Instead of answering, I nodded and tried not to relay how relieved I was to hear it. This job paid well and, if I was careful, I would be able to move out of my shit apartment when the lease was up.
“What are these rooms going to be? Has it been decided?” I asked before I screwed everything up and kissed the alpha next to me, who was also one of the owners of the club.
He started forward again. “No. Not yet. We have some ideas floating around but nothing concrete. I came here to get some inspiration. To envision what could be for myself.”
“I’d never been to a club like this before, so I did some research online.”
He chuckled. “And you have ideas.”
“Oh. Maybe. Not really. I’m sure you don’t want to hear ideas about your business from the kitchen staff.”
A low growl rumbled from inside him. “I’m not asking the kitchen staff. I’m asking you.”
No one had ever sought my opinion about anything.
An outcast, a freak, and tigers couldn’t be trusted they claimed.
I didn’t know why. Prejudice, I supposed.
“I saw a lot of dungeon furniture. That’s what they call it, right?
But what about a room that looks like an actual dungeon?
Or cosplay rooms? Whatever is trending might draw interest from people interested in joining.
” When he didn’t respond, I backtracked, cheeks heating.
“Or those are crap ideas, and I have no clue what I’m talking about. ”
“They are great ideas.” Darsh reached out and touched my bare arm. He might as well have kissed me. My tiger had been pacing inside me since I bumped into this beautiful alpha. Now he was chuffing and growling in absolute approval.
Like this touch was from his mate.
“Oh. Are they?”
Darsh shook his head and regrettably removed his hand. “Yes. I can’t believe no one else thought of a dungeon scene set up or checking social media for trending obsessions. Tell me more.”
We spent some more time exploring the rooms and halls. I gave some ideas and Darsh bounced some of his own off me. He listened to my opinion.
When he stared into my eyes, my imagination went wild. I bet he made that soul-seeking eye contact in all kinds of situations.
“I know we said cosplay, but what about fantasy rooms? A vampire’s castle?”
“You really like castles,” he said. “Do you have a fantasy about them?”
Fire lit up my face, and I turned away. He was clearly not as affected by me as I was by him, so I tried to conceal how much Darsh was making my body and mind respond. “I haven’t had the time to explore all the things I might like. They are just suggestions.”
“Good ones. We could consolidate the castle and the dungeon, maybe into one room.”
“People are really into those fantasy novels lately, so that might be a way to get the members in. Tie them to book themes? Get the readers in with people dressed as characters?”
“I’m writing all this down.” And he was. He tapped his phone, noting my ideas and then more of his own, full lips turned up and moving with his entries.
I glanced at my watch—only owners could have their phones inside the club properties. “Oh, gosh! I’ve taken twice the amount of time I’m supposed to. I have to go.” I faced left then right. “Except I have no idea how to get back.”
“Come on. I’ll escort you. It would be my pleasure. Besides, you were technically working. Don’t worry about it. I know your boss.”
He was right. Kind of. I was brainstorming ideas with him, but that wasn’t the position I was hired for. Our fingers brushed as we walked, and we shared several shy glances but nothing more than that. Before I knew it and before I wanted to, we returned to the active part of the club.
“I’ll see you around, Blaze,” Darsh said, brushing his hand over my shoulder. “Thank you for your input. I value everything we talked about.”
He did? Again, I was probably more surprised than I should’ve been. If I was more self-confident, maybe I would’ve pressed the alpha against one of the walls and kissed him like I wanted to. Asked him on a date.
“You’re welcome. Bye. See you around.”
I went back to the kitchen, regretting not saying more, but hopeful. No one said a word about me being late back from my break. Maybe they didn’t notice, or perhaps he’d notified someone of what I was doing. Not smart to lose my job because I was busy flirting.