I let out a very undignified scream, and my arms instinctively wound around his middle. It automatically moved my body closer to him, and I found myself plastered to his back.
My lady bits were doing a happy dance, and my boobs tried to rub up against him like they hadn’t been let out in years. Which admittedly they hadn’t, but they should really have a bit more self-control at this stage.
Guess this isn’t so bad.
The ride was depressingly short, and when we stopped in front of the club, I had to peel myself off Sebastian.
Once back on solid ground, I fumbled to pull the helmet off with little success. The little sucker might have to stay on.
Sebastian batted my hands away and undid the strap for me. He held my gaze the whole time. He had the smolder down to a fine art.
I really had to get over this annoying little crush of mine. He was a rude and ignorant brute who was a member of the gang that kidnapped me. I needed to remember that.
He walked next to me to the back entrance, and my steps slowed the closer we got. I hadn’t done my required time outside yet. I wasn’t ready to go in and stopped next to the door, leaning my back against the wall.
“You go on ahead. I’ll be there soon,” I said, waving Sebastian off.
I tilted my head up until I hit brick and closed my eyes. I just needed a minute. The ride had taken my mind off my impending shift, but as soon as we were in front of the building, it all came crashing back, suffocating me.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian asked, making me lose my count.
“I just need a minute,” I said, not opening my eyes. “I’ll meet you inside.”
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No. Go away.”
“You’re my responsibility until Prez says otherwise. So no, I’m not going away. Now what’s going on?”
I opened my eyes with a sigh and was met with Sebastian’s deep frown.
“I can’t go in yet,” I responded.
He tilted his head, looking adorably confused. “Why not? Your shift starts in five minutes.”
“That gives me four more to waste,” I said.
Sebastian studied me for a moment, his eyes roaming my body, seemingly cataloguing every inch. When he was satisfied I looked healthy enough, he stepped to the side and crossed his arms.
Guess he’s going to stay outside with me.
I sighed and closed my eyes again. When I made it to four hundred, I felt better, and by five hundred I had myself back under control.
I straightened and took a deep breath. “I’m ready.”
“You’re also late.”
I checked my phone and saw my shift started one minute ago. Jiminy Crickets.
I hastened my steps and rushed through to the dressing room, dumping my purse and coat on my chair. The girls called out greetings when I came inside. I pulled on my uniform, tying my hair into a high ponytail. I’d just have to go without makeup today.
Sebastian had disappeared somewhere on the way inside. When I came out of the dressing room, I rushed to the bar, smiling at Stephen, who was mixing drinks.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said, taking one of the tablets out of its holder to take orders.
Stephen waved me off with his trademark grin. “It’s two minutes. Besides, nobody noticed you weren’t here yet.”
“Thank you,” I said and smiled at him.
“You won’t be so grateful when you find out you’re in the VIP section tonight. Sorry, honey.”
I groaned. I hated working in the VIP room. Hands liked to roam when in enclosed spaces, and the tips did not make up for being groped every two steps.
The night was as depressing as I’d feared. When I finally got a chance to take a break, I stumbled into the small staff kitchen, desperate to eat something.
I had taken one bite of my sandwich when the door opened and Clive, one of the bouncers, came in. He was the last person I wanted to run into during my short break.
“Beautiful, there you are. I haven’t seen you in a week. Are you avoiding me?” he asked, stopping too close to me. When I felt his breath on my face, it took everything in me not to scrunch up my nose and step back.
I’d learned early on that it didn’t end well if I pissed him off. So far I’d managed to evade him, but he was relentless. We’d gone out once when I first started. I thought he was a good guy. But what was meant to be a chance for me to spread my wings and dip my toes into the dating pool again had ended in disaster.
And now I had to work with him, since I needed my job.
“Of course not. I’ve just been busy. You know how it is,” I said, putting my sandwich down. I’d lost my appetite, my thoughts on getting out of the deserted kitchen.
“Are you free this weekend? There’s a great Italian place that just opened in Butler.”
I forced a smile on my face and stepped to the side, closer to the door. “I have the kids.”
He was a big guy but bulky. I could probably outrun him. If he didn’t catch me before I could get far enough away.
“Can’t your friend babysit?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Not this weekend. I’m sorry.”
Not waiting for him to reply, I rushed to the door and threw it open. I stepped outside and collided with a warm body. The relief at someone else being there was short-lived when I lifted my head to apologize and locked eyes with Sebastian.
I opened my mouth but decided it was better to just make a quick escape instead of saying anything and rushed back to the safety of the bar.
When
