I pull the tie over my head and drop it to the floor. “Fuck this.” Wrapping my hand tightly around the throat of the bottle, I make my way out of the office.
Entering the elevator, I shoot a quick text to Dom.
Me
Going home. Give a bonus to the custodian.
It’s not my employee’s fault I’m a naïve fucker who got sucked into this. I ride home faster than advised, desperate to get out of here, but I see her in my home, too. Persephone shoots me an annoyed look as soon as I enter.
“Whose side are you on?” I snarl, earning myself a huff.
I’m still carrying the bottle with alcohol, but it’s getting lighter and lighter. After an hour in the gym, my body tires, but my insides are still flaming.Is she at the casino?
It’s why I needed to leave. I can’t imagine what would happen if I saw her. No, I need to play it smart.
Since you were a fucking idiot so far,my judgy, inside voice snickers.
Yeah, well, I can at least try to be smartnow.Try to take back some of the lost control. I spend the evening getting drunk and making a plan, hoping it will ease my pain. But as I lie in the guestroom bed, trying not to see her next to me, I know I’m totally and utterly fucked.
CHAPTER 21
Alex
Iget home with more money than I cashed in, but just barely. It was a weird night. A part of me hadn’t expected to actually play poker tonight, waiting for Leon to walk out from the hallway where his office lies.
My gaze was more focused on the sliding glass doors than on the cards in front of me, and it showed. After an hour and a half, I gave up and focused on poker.
I leave my shoes in the hallway next to the others. Sophie would kill me if she saw how messy her apartment is, but her whereabouts are still a mystery. Tonight was the night I intended to tell Leon my actual address and ask him to check the cameras for Sophie. The slump of my shoulders and the downturn of my lips don’t fully make sense. It’s not like he stood me up. We haven’t had a date planned, and he doesn’t owe me anything. But our nights together became a habit for me. One I wasn’t hoping to break. Not to mention last night was special. Giving in to him fully left a mark on me. That is probably why all these feelings are here right now.
It’s fine, Alex. He’s a busy man. He probably had work to do.
Still, it’s hard to battle the growing feeling of disappointment. It’s funny to realize that even though I’m undoubtedly falling forhim, I don’t even have his phone number. I have his fucking credit card, and I don’t have his phone number. We never needed it. I would come to the casino, and he would take me to his office or his house.
From the freezer, I grab the half-eaten ice cream and make myself comfortable on the couch. Not even the frozen sweetness and watching my favorite show ease my dejection. I don’t know if it’s possible I miss him after just seeing him this morning, but it sure feels like it.This can’t be good.
Next evening, I step into the casino once again, but I’m managing my expectations this time. He might not be here. He might be busy and not able to see me. Still, my belly flutters with anticipation of seeing him.
Five minutes after I grab a drink and sit down at one of the marble tables, he exits through the door separating the casino floor from the management offices. Breath hitches in my throat. He’s so fucking handsome. One of his signature suits fits him as if it was made for him, the longer strands of his dark hair are slicked back neatly, and his face looks like carved out of stone. When his eyes connect to mine, I barely avoid melting into a puddle. Like always, he makes his way toward me, with confident, commanding steps. A chuckle escapes my lips just as he reaches me.
“Something funny?” he whispers in my ear, making me shiver.
“Yeah. I was just thinking how you’re walking like you own the place. Then I realized you do in fact own the place.”
The short huff he lets out is less enthusiastic than I was hoping for, but I guess it was kind of a lame joke.
“Want to get out of here?” he asks, and electricity zings down my body.
My head dips, and he helps me up. We pass his office and go straight to the elevator.
“I wasn’t sure I’d see you tonight.” I fidget my fingers in front of me, nervous to let him know I missed him.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I had a crazy workday yesterday.” He presses the button, and the metal box lowers us to the garage floor.
In the car, he grips the steering wheel tighter than usual, but I revel in being surrounded by his strong, masculine scent. He seems off, like something’s bothering him. I can hardly expect him to share what until I share more about myself, so I keep quiet for the rest of the ride.
“Hungry?” he asks as we enter his apartment. Persephone greets me right away, and I lower to the floor to give her proper cuddles.
He orders the food while I entertain his dog. Now that I’ve decided to tell him the truth, my nerves are running rampant. I couldn’t stomach eating like this, so it’s best to take it off my chest before the food arrives. “There’s something I need to tell you.” I huff a laugh to ease the tension.
