He leans his palms on the counter, the muscle in his forearms flexing as he puts weight on them. “And you’re not going to share these obligations?”
Before I can stop my brain, it conjures up an image of me beneath him as he holds himself above me like that. I push it away in a flurry of panic. “It’s not any of your business.”
“Not my business. Right.” He holds eye contact, a myriad of emotions flickering there like sun and shadows on the surface of the sea, and then blows out a long breath as he straightens back to his full height. “Look, you’re obviously talented. So, I have a proposition for you.” His eyes flick over my body and a pained look tightens his face. Something flares in his eyes that looks like ownership. “I’d like for you to teach the girls I hire. Teach them the pole work. Is that something you can do?”
I blink in surprise and confusion. “Of… of course.”
He moves around the counter to stand in front of me. I have to tilt my chin to look up at him. His proximity is makingme sweat even more. His body is radiating heat and that woodsy, masculine scent. He’s such a contradiction. The hard silver bar in his eyebrow, the hard gleam in his eyes, the softness of his lips. I have a sudden urge to run my nails over his jawline, to scratch his stubble, to feel it on my thighs…
Jesus, Sam.I give my head a little shake to stop the fantasy. I have clearly lost control of my mind.
“You can conduct the classes any time before 2 PM Monday through Thursday. Five grand a week enough?”
My gaze flits over his face. Five grand a week? That’s more than I would’ve made dancing. “Yes, thank you.” I could cry with relief.
He shoves his hands in his pockets before he leans into me. His warm breath hits my ear. “I still don’t trust you, Vixen. But now you owe me.” He pulls back, winks at me, sending a rush of liquid heat between my legs.
Down, girl.
He opens the door and pauses to look back at me. There’s a touch of exasperation in his tone when he spits out, “Why is it so bleedin’ hot in here?”
I’m still reeling from his job offer, the effect he has on my body, and the fact I’m in debt to him, so it takes me a second to understand what he’s asking. “Oh.” I wave a hand. “The air conditioning’s been broken for two weeks. The building manager isn’t returning my calls.”
He stares at me. His eyes narrow and a low hum climbs up his throat, then he leaves, closing the door behind him.
I collapse against the counter. That was intense. And what the hell is up with my libido? I need to have a session with my vibrator before I do something stupid around Killian.
The relief I’m feeling has me in a good mood. I grab the burner phone to call Celia and tell her the good news.
***
Knocking. I blink my eyes open and peel my sweaty body off the couch, wiping the drool from my mouth. What?
Boom. Boom. Boom.
My heart jumps in my chest. Someone’s knocking. Again. My sleep-fogged brain is trying to catch up. What time is it? The burner phone is still clutched in my hand from talking to Celia and Rona. I check my watch. It’s a little after seven. I’ve only been asleep for an hour.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Now the danger has me wide awake. I stumble back to the kitchen and once again grab the butcher knife. At the door I grasp it in both hands. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Lenny Horowitz. We’re here to fix your air.”
I unbolt the deadlock but leave the chain on as I peek through the crack in the door. To my utter shock, it is Lenny, the apartment manager. Behind him is a man in a gray polo shirt with a tool bag hanging over his shoulder. In utter confusion, I let them in, then return the knife to the kitchen.
“This is Gar, the HVAC tech. I apologize for the delay in getting to your request.” Lenny jerks his chin at the man for him to get to work.
I’ve only met Lenny twice before. He’d treated me to a very lecherous leer at my cleavage and an invitation to his apartment. Now, I cross my arms and study him. He’s sporting a swollen, black eye and he’s refusing to make eye contact with me. In fact, I’m still in my braless white T-shirt so I’m confused as to why he’s not being his usual pervy self.
“If you need anything else, just let me know, Ms. Dal.”
Ms. Dal?I raise an eyebrow. “Actually, the bathroom sink is leaking. I’d appreciate that being fixed, also.”
His eyes flick up to me and… is that fear?
“Okay. I’ll be right back.”
I frown as he scurries from the apartment. But not five minutes later, he’s back with a tool box. He keeps his head down as he hurries to the bathroom.
