Page 18 of The Toy Maker

Oh. Out of all the rumors, not one of them prepared me to face a massive dick. Not the good kind, at least. “Bullshit,” I snapped, the word flying out of my mouth before I could think better of it.

Jade stifled a laugh beside me, and for the first time, Jason actually looked me in the eyes. Those too-green irises locked onto mine, and despite his shitty attitude, the intensity made my knees feel dangerously weak.

“What?” His head tilted slightly, daring me to repeat myself.

I swallowed hard, refusing to back down. If he wanted a fight, I could give him one.

“I think you heard me.” I ironed out the nerves in my voice, but the knot in my stomach remained.

His expression remained carefully blank as he searched for any holes in my composure. After several seconds of stiff tension, he blinked. The stubbornness drained out of his eyes, and I could almost see a smile forming on his face, but it only took a moment to go back to the same stony resolve.

“Next time, run all your hires past me,” he said to Kitty without breaking eye contact with me. It sounded like a threat, but the grin made it clear I’d amused him.

Before we could try to respond, he strolled off to the back of the building where his workshop awaited him.

“Well, shit,” Jade spoke up first, glancing between the Cherries.

“Bullshit.”I could tell by Sarah’s tone that she enjoyed the spectacle. “Bullshit!” she repeated with a laugh.

I bit the inside of my cheek. “I probably shouldn’t have said that.” What were my chances of being fired now?

Jade grabbed my shoulder and grinned. “Don’t be sorry for it. That was awesome.” Her hand squeezed briefly, a little burst of reassurance that settled the nerves still buzzing under my skin.

“Yeah, he usually just looks at us and leaves, but that…” Sarah put her hand over her heart, practically swooning. “Did you see his eyes?” she gushed.

Jade scoffed, shaking her head like she couldn’t believe what she’d witnessed either. “I swear they looked so blue at Macy’s induction.” It didn’t matter what color they were; I was still recovering from him being so close.

“Kind of a dick, though,” I said more to myself than them.

“Guess you just bring out the best in him.” Kitty nudged me with a smirk.

I snorted. “I’m sure that’s it.”

At that, Kitty laughed outright. “At least you don’t have to see him every night.” All of us stared at her, and she flushed. “Not like that. For closing.”

“Sure,” Jade teased. “We all know you’re nailing the guy.”

“Gross.” Kitty scrunched her nose in disgust.

“Dick or not a dick,” Jade went on, shrugging like the facts spoke for themselves, “almost every Cherry in this building wants to jump him, and heknowsit.”

Sarah nodded sagely. “It’d be like screwing a mythical creature.”

“I highly doubt that,” I retorted, trying to convince myself.

He couldn’t bethatgood. Right?

“Maybe one day you’ll find out.” Jaded waggled her eyebrows, and I laughed at the idea.

“I think we should go out tonight,” Kitty suggested, a gleam in her eye. “To celebrate the hoe who stole our hearts.”

“I think I should change first.” I glanced down at the thin silk robe still barely covering my thighs.

Sarah eagerly grabbed my hand, practically vibrating with excitement. “I have something perfect for you.”

I didn’t fight her enthusiasm, agreeing to head back to Sarah and Jade’s apartment after work to change. The night was far from over, and apparently neither was their plan to properly corrupt me. Once Kitty left, pulled away to handle some Cherry-related meltdown, Jade continued talking about The Toy Maker.

“Seriously, I haven’t seen him in months. I don’t know how he runs a business without being in it,” she rambled.