Page 13 of Fang (Lotus MC: San Antonio #2)

“T hat’s all for today. I’ll see you guys next week,” the professor says.

Everyone jumps up and rushes to the door while I take my time.

“Have a good day,” I tell the professor as I walk past him.

“You too,” he says without looking up.

I want to tell him it’s rude not to look up, but I bite my tongue. The last thing I need is to piss off one of my teachers. Even if his manners are the problem.

As I exit the building, my mind starts to run crazy with all the things I need to do before my next class in about three hours. I need to go to the library to work on a project that I’ve been putting off. Before I do, though, I should probably go grab something to eat.

The problem is I’m not really hungry.

If I don’t grab something, though, I know I will become completely consumed with my project and I won’t come up for air until it’s time to head to my next class. Then I’ll be stuck listening to a professor drone on and on while I feel like my stomach is about to claw itself out of me.

A whistle cuts through the air, but I don’t look up, knowing it’s not for me.

To eat now or risk it…

“Cami!” someone yells.

What the hell?

Frowning, I come to a stop and look around.

When I spot Fang, I can’t help but relax. He’s leaning against his bike with his cut on. His jeans-clad legs are crossed at the ankle. Jesus, does he have to look this good? It’s really not fair. Neither of us tries to hide the fact that we are checking each other out as I approach.

“Hey, how did you know where to find me?”

He shrugs. “I got lucky.”

Sure, and I’m the pope.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of keys.

“Your car was ready so I thought I would bring it to you.”

I take the keys from him. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“How much do I owe you?” I ask as I try to calculate how I’m going to afford everything.

While I make great money at the club, it’s still tight. One night could make or break me. So I have to be prepared at all times.

“Don’t worry about it.” Before I can protest, he reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a bag of food. “I brought this for you.”

Quickly, I slide my keys into my hoodie pocket before taking the bag from him. I peek inside and suck in a breath.

I knew he paid attention, but I guess I didn’t realize how closely he watched. He ordered me a sandwich, and right on top in big bold letters it says no onions .

I hate onions. Something I don’t even know how he would be aware of, yet he is. Hell, it’s something my own mother doesn’t know about me. He does, though. It warms me.

“Thank you,” I say softly, trying to choke back emotions.

“You’re welcome.”

I look over my shoulder and spot an empty bench nearby. “Do you want to stay for a minute, or do you need to leave?” I ask as I point to it.

“I can stay.”

I watch as he kicks off his bike and stands.

Like he always does, he rests his hand on my back and pushes me forward. When we get to the bench, he removes my backpack from my shoulder and sets it down next to him before taking a seat.

“Thank you again for all of this,” I tell him as I sit.

“You’re welcome. Now eat,” he says, tipping his chin toward the bag.

I roll my eyes and open the bag.

“How’s your day been?” I ask as I break a piece off and pop it into my mouth.

“Anytime I’m not at the club is a good day,” he says.

I look at him with confusion. “You don’t like the club?”

He tips his head from side to side. “I don’t mind it, but it wouldn’t have been my first choice of places to spend all my time.”

“Then why do you?”

He shrugs. “It’s a club business, and we needed someone who could handle it, run the place.”

“So you stepped in?”

“Yeah.”

I never would have seen that coming. Then again, I guess I never thought about why he would be there.

“Huh…”

His eyes narrow. “What does that mean?”

“Nothing,” I say lightly as I pop another piece of the sandwich into my mouth.

“You’re a little shit,” he mutters, making me smile.

This is nice. I like this new dynamic we have going between us. It feels more…personal and less professional. I like it. I’m starting to see Fang as more than my boss, but I don’t know what it means. Let alone if it’s something mutual.

God, I’m a shit show.

“How was class?” he asks.

“Boring, honestly,” I mumble, taking another bite.

“You don’t like it?”

I sigh. “I like some of my classes, but some of them feel like they are a waste.”

“Damn, that sucks.”

“It’s fine.” I shrug.

He stretches out and rests his arm on the back of the bench. When he starts playing with my ponytail, I have to bite back a smile.

“Are you done for the day?”

I gently shake my head. “No, I have one more class later, but before then, I have to spend some time in the library.”

“The stacks, right?”

“Huh?”

“That’s what you guys call the shit in the library.”

“I mean, sure, some people do.”

His eyes heat, making me curious as to what his next comment will be, only we’re interrupted.

“Yo, Cami. Are you going to introduce me to your boyfriend?” Zak sneers from somewhere behind me.

I squeeze my eyes shut and groan. Goddammit. I should have known that telling him I was dating Fang would come back and bite me in the ass. One time, why couldn’t things have gone right just this once?

“Are you ignoring me?” Zak asks as he gets closer.

I open my eyes and see humor written all over Fang’s face.

He doesn’t look mad, not in the slightest. I guess I have that going for me at least.

I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing, but that doesn’t stop me from smiling like a fucking fool.

It fucking pleases me that she told this dickwad that I was her boyfriend.

I’ll be whatever the fuck you need me to be, sweetheart.

When her eyes open, they are filled with silent apologies.

“I’m so, so sorry,” she mouths to me.

I nod, letting her know I’ll play along.

Hey, look, Mom, I’m a team player after all.

I look up and study the guy who comes to a stop in front of us. It’s the same asshole as the other day. He’s got short blond hair, and he’s wearing a polo with khakis.

Fucking khakis.

I swear to God this better not be her fucking type, or I don’t stand a chance.

“Is this why you keep turning me down? Because this guy is your boyfriend?” he asks as he shoves his hands in his pockets.

Behind him, I notice some other guys who are dressed like him, watching.

Interesting.

Cami sighs and leans into my side. Instinctively, I move my hand to cup the back of her head, holding her in place.

I look down at Cami and see that she’s struggling to come up with some witty reply.

Don’t mind if I do, little dancer.

I look up and smirk. “Men like me don’t do girlfriends. We have old ladies.”

His eyes narrow as he shakes his head. “What the hell does that even mean?”

“It means I’m more than just a girlfriend. Something I explained to you. Now will you finally back off?” Cami snaps.

Well, then, this just became eye-opening. This guy hasn’t taken a hint and has been harassing my girl. Can’t have that.

“So you’re the dickhead she’s told me about.”

His chest puffs up like he’s full of hot air. “She talks about me?”

“She never mentioned your name, but yeah. She told me all about the dumb fuck who keeps harassing her and won’t take a hint.

Here I thought she might have been just exaggerating a little to get under my skin, you know?

A way to get me hot and bothered before I fuck her brains out to prove to her who she belongs to, but I guess she was right.

” The guy sputters, but I continue. “Let me give you a piece of advice or two. When a woman says she’s not interested, you back the fuck off and let it be. You cut your losses.”

“And two?” Cami asks softly.

“And two, when you fuck with another man’s old lady, you better be prepared to deal with the consequences. I don’t fucking share. I’ll be nice and give you one warning: you come around her again, then just know, nothing, and I mean nothing, will stop me from coming at you.”

“Are you threatening me?” he sputters.

I scoff. “Threats are for children. That was a fucking promise.”

“Come on, Zak, I think we should get the fuck out of here,” one of his buddies mutters.

“Yeah, Zak, you should probably listen to your friend before you turn into coyote bait,” I taunt.

Zakky boy goes a little pale and sways. “Fuck this. No pussy is worth this kind of shit.”

He takes a step back and another before turning and tucking tail.

A chuckle slips free when his buddies take off after him. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it. It’s amusing as fuck watching preppy assholes shit themselves. I didn’t even do anything this time.

“I’m glad you find this so amusing,” Cami mutters as she buries her face into my chest.

“Come on, you can’t tell me that that wasn’t a little bit funny.”

“Okay, maybe a little bit,” she says with a smile in her voice.

“He been bothering you?” I ask, changing the subject.

“Yeah, it’s nothing, though.”

“How long?”

For a second, she hesitates. “Since we were kids, but it’s no big deal. I have a feeling he won’t be back.”

“You’ll let me know if he bothers you again.”

She pulls her head away from my chest and tips her chin up to look at me. I don’t miss the way she rolls her eyes.

“Thank you.”

“For?”

“Playing along. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you like saving me.”

Maybe I do.

“Either way, I owe you one.”

An idea hits me. I know it’s risky, but it’s worth a shot.

What’s the worst she could do? Say no?

“I know how you could make it up to me,” I say without thinking.

When she goes tense in my arms, I could kick my own ass.

“Not like that,” I tell her quickly.

“Okay…then how?” she asks with distrust in her voice.

Shit. I fucked up. Maybe this was a shit idea after all. Maybe Happy was wrong and we are better off as just boss-slash-employee.

“No, forget about it,” I say, shaking my head.

She places her hand on my chin and makes me look at her. “No, tell me. I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“You can make it up to me by letting me take you out.”

Her eyes widen.

“Like on a date?” she asks quietly.

“Yeah, a date.” She goes to say something, but I bring my finger up and cover her lips.

“Before you make a decision, though, I just want you to know what we do or don’t do in private has nothing, and I mean nothing, to do with Boudoir.

Our business and personal relationships are two different things. They won’t affect one or the other.”

She bites her bottom lip as she studies my face. I give her time to make up her mind. I won’t rush her. Not with this.

“Okay,” she says softly.

“You’re saying yes, right?” I ask for clarification.

A little smile plays on her lips. “Yeah, I’ll go out on a date with you.”

“Well, then, I’ll look at the schedule to see when we can both get out of there and set something up.”

“That sounds good.”

My eyes drop to her mouth. The urge to kiss her is right there.

My phone vibrates, cutting through the moment, stealing the decision from me.

“You have to go,” she says knowingly.

“Yeah, looks like it.”

Reluctantly she pulls herself out of my arms and stands.

“Thanks for lunch,” she says as I get up.

“Of course. Don’t study too hard, okay?” I tell her.

“I’ll try not to.”

When she goes to step away, I grab her and pull her close. Her breath catches, making me smile against the top of her head. I close the distance and kiss her hair before pulling back. It’s not where I want to kiss her, but it will do for now.

When I pull back, her cheeks are rosy. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.”

Only when she starts to walk away do I smile.

Well, shit, it looks like I have a date to plan.