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TWENTY-NINE

“Does he ever quit?” Rose says from across the bar.

It’s almost Halloween and most of the customers walking through the door are all wearing costumes but you can’t miss him. He is so tall, dark and handsome.

“Why does he give me vampire vibes?” Rose says leaning on the bar watching Draco scan the stage and then the tables.

I squeeze my thighs together not being able to control the lust that drips between my thighs every time I see him. My pussy has a mind of its own. It begs for his tongue while my head screams for me to run.

“Because when he bites, there is nothing left.”

“How would you know?” she asks with a glint in her eyes.

I lean close to the bar under the light and tilt my neck to the side. “Jesus.”

“You should see the others.”

Her eyes widen slightly. “Others?”

I laugh loving the way she tries to hide the heat in her gaze. “Rose likes the idea. She just needs the right partner to show her.”

My smiles fades when Draco spots me. Hi gaze travels over my nun outfit. I decided to wear it again since I get the most tips. I think the men dig the irony of it all and it’s a win-win for me since it covers the most out of all my outfits.

“At least we know why he’s here,” Rose drawls.

“Yeah, to torture the fuck out of me,” I say sharply.

I’m not going on stage tonight since I need the money to furnish my apartment with the basics and my best bet is lap dances on the floor. Not my ideal choice but what choice do I really have.

“Hey, before I forget to ask. Do you want to go to a college party?”

“A party?” I ask with a smile. “Where?”

She shrugs. “It’s never too late to get the college experience. I know high school must have sucked but trust me, it’s overrated and to be honest you dodged a bullet.”

Where they sent me was way worse but I don’t want to make her feel bad and I wouldn’t mind feeling normal. I’ve never been to a party.”

“What kind of party?”

“A house party. I got the invitation taped to my dorm room. Figured it would be fun.”

“Yeah, what should I wear?”

“Oh, it’s a costume party,” she says with excitement.

“That’s easy. I got plenty of naughty shit we could wear.”

She looks down at her outfit. “Um…how naughty?”

I dig my teeth in my bottom lip. “How naughty do you want to go?”

“Whatever you think looks good.”

“When is it?”

“Next Saturday.”

“Is there is someone you’re hoping shows up?”

She looks at the man waving at her trying to get her attention and looks back at me. “Maybe?” She rolls her eyes smiling then she makes her way toward the guy when he starts whistling for her to order a drink.

I make my rounds on the floor swaying my hips. A hand shoots out and grabs my wrist pulling me back and I slam into a hard chest. My breath leaving in a whoosh. “Your shifts over, I’ll be out front.”

I look up and meet dark eyes and white skin. My heart starts pounding like a shot of adrenaline. “What makes you think it’s over?”

“The second you walked in.” He bends down. His lips brushing the shell of my ear. “I’m not asking.”

There is something different in his tone and the look in his eyes. Carnal. Dangerous.

I turn my head, my lips almost brushing his. The scent from his skin filling me with awareness of how much my body craves him. His eyes hold me for a few seconds. I should tell him to leave but I can’t. Because I know this is him being nice and I don’t think I’m ready for him to show me the other side I see lurking behind the mask in his eyes. I’ve seen what he can do with a knife.

His gaze drops to my lips. I can feel his breath on my skin. If I lean in a fraction––that’s all it would take for me to kiss him on the mouth.

An inch. Almost. But then he surprises me by pulling away abruptly and walks out.

Fuck.

I’m still in my dance costume when U walk out. I only had time to grab a coat knowing he would be back and it wouldn’t bode well to make a scene. I couldn’t risk getting fired.

I turn the corner, my breath a cloud of smoke with I find a blacked-out muscle car idling in the center of the parking lot among the row of cars. The lights blinding. The wind nicking my exposed skin. A prickling awareness skating up my spine knowing that he’s inside waiting for me.

He pulls forward and stops right in front. I glance back at the security manning the door but he’s engrossed in the iPad he’s holding. When I look back, the driver’s side opens and Draco rounds the car opening the passenger door waiting for me to get in.

I shouldn’t, but that doesn’t stop my feet from walking toward his car.

I slide in, the rich leather and his exotic scent slamming into me with full force. There is something familiar about it, like I’ve done this countless times but that’s impossible.

The slam of the driver’s side door pulls me out of my head. “Where are we going? I ask. “But I have to warn you, I might do something crazy.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“Are you always this nice when a guy takes you out.”

My stomach flutters for some reason. I’ve never been on a date and he’s the last guy I expected one from.

“Ah, so that’s what this is? And tell me, what would Dahlia think?” I say, laying on the sarcasm thick.

“I wouldn’t care, because it’s none of her business.”

“Well, I’m not interested. I came because I want to know why you’re following me when I told you, you have nothing to worry about. I don’t need a date, or a ticket to your show. You can stop bribing me.”

“That’s not why I asked you to come with me.”

“Well, it better be good because I need to back to work. I don’t live in a fancy house and my options are limited for work. So make it quick.”

I feel the car wobble and look out and notice is driving on a dirt road. Panic seizes me in its grip when trees start to grow thick on both sides. The headlights the only source of light in front of us.

I swallow dryly. “Where are we?”

“Averis lake.”

“Why are we here?”

“Because I want to talk.”

“Well, there are ways we can do that. Phone. Text.”

“You have a problem replying to those,” he points out.

He isn’t wrong. I’m sure Kaden must have told him I’ve been ignoring his calls and texts.

The car stops and I look out to the large lake with the moon reflecting on the surface reminding me of black glass. The stars are so bright in the sky you can make out the constellations. It’s obviously a date spot.

“Is this where you take your female victims?” I look behind us through the back window to see if there is anyone else out here but there is nothing but darkness and us.

He smirks. “Is that what you’re afraid of?”

“Should I be?” I lick my lips. “I mean, just a couple of days ago you got rid of me and then you offer me a ticket to your show at the same time I meet your girlfriend.”

Jealousy is still eating at me that he didn’t correct her and to be honest, I have no business being with a man like Draco.

He turns in his seat, the rich leather groaning as he faces me. “She’s not my girlfriend, Athena.”

Guilt worms its way at the thought of me being the other woman. She has every right to hate me. She had him first and I’m not sure what kind of relationship they have with each other.

“Do you sleep with her?”

Maybe his definition of girlfriend is different, but sex is sex. I dance at a strip club. It’s not like I sing for the choir. I’ve accepted that guys look at me and expect one thing, no attachments. No complaints. It’s when they want something by force that I have a problem with.

What this is between us I can’t explain but I know that I can’t compete with someone who knows him more than I do. Has shared their life with each other while I’m flawed. I have nothing to offer except a record and a history of mental health I can’t even explain.

He glances at the lake. The silence hanging in the hair like a bad decision. Of course he does. I couldn’t be part of his circle because that would always be there. She would always be there.

“Could you take me back please. It’s getting late and I just remembered I have something I need to do.”

“But I haven’t said what I need to say.”

“Then say it,” I snap.

“I want to apologize for the things I’ve said.”

“Okay, you’re sorry. Anything else?”

His jaw is tight as he grips the steering wheel with one hand and places the car in reverse. “No.”