“I-I think I’ll survive.”
I stare up at him, our eyes locked in our silent battle of wills.
He wants me, I can see it in his eyes, in the way his chest is suddenly moving at an increased rate.
I also know that at some point I’ll win this game.
Looking away from me, he swallows, making his Adam’s apple bob. “You need to stop this.”
“Stop what?” I ask innocently. “I was merely helping you out in your time of need.”
“That’s not what this is, and you know it.” He glances back down at me and to my breasts. “I’m trying to do the right thing here, Kas. Don’t push me, or I won’t bat an eyelid sending you back where you came from.”
“Bullshit. You aren’t sending me anywhere. You care too much. I like it, it’s sweet.” I step away from him, allowing him to release the breath he was holding. “It makes a change from no one giving a shit. Oh look, you dropped your knife.” I bend over to reach for it, and the second I touch the cool metal a growl sounds out from behind me. “You really should be more careful. You could have cut a toe off.”
I place it on the side and walk from the room. I don’t look over my shoulder. I don’t need to. I know he’s watching my every move. I can feel it.
The second I close my door, I rest back against it and laugh to myself.
Tempting him is too easy. I can quickly see it becoming my favourite hobby.
Pulling on some clothes, I spend the next few hours in my room, unpacking the few possessions I have and having a much-needed nap on the incredibly comfortable bed.
I’d set an alarm to wake me so I can get to work—assuming I still have a job—but I’m woken by Spike’s buzzer, followed by the low rumble of another male voice a few minutes later.
It’s not Zach, I know that, and I’m pretty sure it’s not Titch either.
Climbing from the bed, I check my reflection in the mirror. After fluffing up my hair a little, I pull down the neck of my tank and push the girls up a bit before going to see who’s here.
“Have you got a girl here?” the deep voice asks the second I open the door.
“Uh…” Spike hesitates.
“Jesus, you’re such a dog.”
“Takes one to know one, man. But she’s not that kind of girl.”
“And here I was, thinking we could both make use of her.”
I’m slightly taken aback by his words, although I’m not sure why. Boys will be boys. I know that more than most with the job I’ve been doing.
“You’re really, really going to regret even suggesting that,” Spike says, his voice harder, angrier even after the man’s suggestion.
“Why? Who the fuck are you hiding back there?”
At that, I walk around the corner.
“It’s not polite to talk about people behind their backs, you know that, right?”
The second I see him, I know who he is, and I understand Spike’s warning a little more.
“D, how’s it going?” I ask while he stares at me with his chin dropped.
“Spike.” His voice is a warning as he looks between us. “Why the hell is Zach’s little sister in your flat wearing… well, not a lot?”
“It’s nothing like that,” Spike argues. “I found her in Pulse last night.”
D raises a brow at his friend, clearly not following his lead. “If you’ve touched her, Zach will kill you with his bare hands. I know he let Titch off lightly, but he won’t do it again, and not with her.”
“I am in the room, you know,” I snap, but they both continue to ignore my presence.
“I haven’t fucking touched her.” It’s kind of a lie, but I let it go. “She wasn’t there on a fucking night out, she was up on the fucking stage.” If I weren’t so pissed off about them talking about me like I’m not here, I’d be amused by how wide D’s eyes go at Spike’s words.
“Nooooo. Zach will fucking—”
“Zach will fucking nothing,” I bark, coming to stand between the two of them. “I’m a fucking adult. I can make my own choices. And right now, I need money, and that’s the best way I know how, other than to—”
“Oh no, don’t even go there,” Spike spits. “Do not even consider whatever follows that sentence.”
“Whatever,” I say, waving him off. “My point is that it’s my choice. My body, my life. I don’t give a shit what either of you, or my brother, think.”
“You fucking should. He’s gonna lose his shit when he finds out you’re flaunting it for the scumbags in that place.”
I refrain from pointing out that they are two of the scumbags from that place.
“So, don’t tell him. Let me do my thing, earn the money I need, and then I’ll be done. Trust me, it’s not a career that I want to embark on for longer than necessary.”
D chuckles, causing my brows to draw together.
“What’s so funny?” I cross my arms over my chest and don’t miss Spike’s eyes drop momentarily. Yeah, definitely one of the scumbags. He’s trying to be all chivalrous, playing my protector, but really, he’s just like all the others. I’ve heard the stories about his antics. It’s one of the reasons I pushed last night. I thought he’d give in much easier though, I must admit.
“You really think we’ll keep this shit quiet? You might be related to Zach by blood, but make no mistake that he’s our brother in every other sense of the word. We look out for our own, and that, young lady, includes you.”
“Don’t ‘young lady’ me,” I snap, unhappy with the way he’s looking at me like I’m a little girl. “I’m younger than you lot, so what? I’m not the naïve child you think I am. If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a job to get ready for.” Spinning on my heels, I storm back to my