Groaning, Star lifted her hand at Tia’s question. “That would be me.”
“So what’s going on with you and Sebastian?” Elle asked, studying me.
“Nothing,” I said, studying my chipped manicure. I had to get out my nail polish tonight before I went to bed. Pink would look great.
“I heard he was living with you. That’s not nothing,” Star chimed in.
“Did you know he’s the only one of the guys working at Pepper’s who’s never tried touching any of us?” Elle said.
“He’s just crashing on my couch,” I said, knowing I needed to give them something or they’d hound me all night.
“Sure he is,” Tia said and then got up. “Showtime, girls.”
We shuffled out of the room, the girls heading to the stage while I went to the bar.
I didn’t see Sebastian for the rest of the night, but one of the guys was clearly on Nora duty. He was trying to be inconspicuous, but thanks to my recently acquired paranoia, I spotted him as soon as he took up his post near the entry.
It also helped that he was wearing clothes that screamed “biker.” I didn’t dwell on it though, since I was busy dodging grabby hands and sleazy offers all night. When the clock hit two, I ran to the dressing room as fast as my abused feet would take me.
I used to get away with wearing sneakers and clothes that mostly covered me, but since the club changed ownership, that was a big no-no. Smitty, the new manager, ran a tight ship and didn’t give handouts.
He also didn’t give sick days or days off. And since I couldn’t really afford to take either, I didn’t complain.
Besides, none of us were here because we loved our jobs, so we just kept our heads down and moved on.
I burst into the empty dressing room, kicking my shoes off. I stopped in the door as soon as I noticed the quiet. Being by yourself was not a good idea in this place. Especially not since I had acquired my personal stalker.
Guess it was a good thing Sebastian was teaching me self-defense. One day I’d be able to kick Clive’s butt. That day was not today though. I backed out of the room, taking a deep inhale when I made it without anyone jumping me.
At least I thought I made it until my back collided with another body and I felt my blood rush from my face. I jerked back and my elbow collided with something soft. There was a loud groan, and I whipped around.
Sebastian was doubled over, cursing.
I covered my mouth in horror and gawked at my handiwork.
“You must really enjoy beating me up,” he coughed and straightened back up. “Why are you so jumpy?”
I moved back. “I’m not jumpy. You just surprised me.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose before pinning me with his gaze. “I know when you’re lying, Nora.”
I threw my hands up and stepped back into the dressing room. “This place would make anyone jumpy.”
I slammed the door behind me, then realized I’d left my shoes outside. I stuck my head out again, and Sebastian held the shoes up to me. I snatched them back and clutched them to my chest.
“Will you wait out here?” I asked, my voice wavering.
He gave me a chin lift, and I disappeared back inside.
Changing back into my jeans settled my nerves, and once I’d pulled my hoodie over my head, I almost felt human again.
Sebastian was leaning against the wall, watching the crowd, when I came back out. He looked up when he heard me, and his eyes traveled from the top of my head all the way to the sneakers on my feet.
I suddenly felt like I wasn’t wearing any clothes at all. But where I usually got the urge to douse myself in bleach when customers gave me the once-over, this time my body heated, my pulse beat faster, and I didn’t move.
Our eyes met, and I suddenly found myself unable to look away. Then one of the security guys came up to him, breaking our connection. Sebastian turned his head to speak to the guy, and I looked at my feet, shuffling uncomfortably. I hoped Sebastian would never find out the power he had over me, because rude turd or not, I couldn’t fight the attraction I felt for him.
He didn’t say a word to me for the rest of the night, not when we walked to his bike and not when we got home. I fell into bed, exhausted from another blipper of a day. Sleep came slowly, my thoughts stuck on the giant currently living with me.
