Page 37 of All That Glitters

“I mean, am.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Knowing I’m not buying it, she sighs. “Stuff happened that fucked up my happiness, it always fucking does, but I’m getting help. I might not be a little Miss Sassy Pants anymore, but I’m doing better. Honestly, I’m not sure how much of that act was just a persona anyway.” She shrugs.

“Better is good.”

“Actually, better is great because, for a long time, everything just seemed to be getting worse. Working at the shelter helps. I can see I’m making a difference. It makes me feel good about myself, and that’s what I need right now.

“I’m glad you have that. And I’m here if you ever want to talk. I’m a really good listener, and I swear, whatever you tell me stays between us.”

“Thanks, Legs. I’m glad you decided to stay.”

I smile. If she noticed I didn’t return her sentiment, she didn’t call me out on it. I’m not unhappy, so that’s got to count for something. But that gnawing feeling inside me that tells me I’m missing out grows bigger every day. I’m worried that if I don’t find something to satisfy it, it will swallow me whole.

After a long day of shopping, we head home and drop off a happy Alex with Sunshine before making our way to the saloon. The moment we step inside and Kruger spots us, he calls us over and ropes us into play pool with him.

Six games later, I sink the eight ball, making Kruger groan. “Every fucking time. I swear you two are pool sharks.”

I look at Lil and grin. Between the two of us, we’ve won all but one game.

“Do something often enough, Kruger, and you’ll master it.”

I feel hands on my hips, so I look over my shoulder and see Midas looking down at me with his fuck-me eyes.

“Guess that’s why pool isn’t the only thing you’re good at,” he growls into my ear.

I chuckle and turn away, handing Kruger the cue.

“Oh, come on, best seven out of ten.”

“Your problem, Kruger, is you don’t know when to admit defeat,” I tease as Midas grinds his hard dick into my ass. “Besides, something popped up, and Midas needs me.”

“I just bet it did,” he grumbles, turning to Lil. “How about a little one-on-one?” he asks her as Midas leads me away.

Midas pulls me out of the saloon and into the nook under the stairs. “Press your hands against the wall and stick your ass out, Legs.” His voice sends tingles down my spine, but this time I ignore them.

When I came to Raven’s, I didn’t know what to expect. I was nursing a bruised heart and feeling sorry for myself, so I swore I would never let anyone in again. Keeping them at arm’s length was better for my sanity in the long run.

The problem is, I never expected to meet a man like Midas the day I landed here, like some fucked-up case of serendipity. I’m coming to hate this game we’re playing, one where the stakes are high and the rewards are low, but every time I try to pull free, he tightens his grip. The only comfort I have is knowing he’s stuck in the same weird limbo as me—unable to move forward but unwilling to step back.

A slap on my ass drags me out of my thoughts.

“I’m sorry, Legs. Am I boring you?” Midas hisses before shoving my short skirt up over my ass and ripping my thong from my body with a loud snap.

“No, of course not.”

“Good, because I’d hate to have to punish you.” He thrusts two fingers inside me, making me gasp, and finds me wet and ready like always.

“Your punishments aren’t much of a threat,” I tease. Being spanked might not be my favorite thing in the world, but I always come hard afterward.

“Hmm…” he hums, thrusting his fingers in and out of me. “I guess I’ll just have to think of something else, then.”

Shit. Me and my big mouth.

“As far as I know, I haven’t done anything wrong,” I pant.

“You were gone for hours, Legs. I don’t like it when you do that.”

I huff out a laugh, which quickly turns into a moan when he thrusts his fingers into me harder. “It was my day off, and I have a life, Midas.”

“Is that right?” He pulls his fingers free and reaches around, pressing them to my lips. “Open.”