Renee comes up alongside me. “I’m not sure you’re in the best shape to work right now. Bastion might have a fit if he sees you.”
“This won’t take long. He won’t be the wiser.” The more I walk, the easier it gets. I can totally do this.
“Hattie, I—” Paige starts, but I cut her off when I raise my hand.
“It’s fine, really. You guys worry too much.” Then I laugh, though I’m not even sure why.
It doesn’t take us long to reach the club, and when we enter, I see that it’s busier than when we left. I say a quick goodbye to the girls as they peel off to enter the changing room, and I continue down the hall to Bastion’s—ouroffice.
The door is open, and he’s in there, leaning against the side of his desk, looking at his phone in his hand. He looks up when he hears me close the door, and I waste no time walking straight over to him.
“I want you to show me what I’ve been missing.”
He says nothing, setting his phone on the desk beside him. “Is that so?”
“Are you fucking Steph?” I put my hand over my mouth, surprised about the swear word that came out of it.
Bastion’s eyes widen. “Not presently. Right now, I’m here with you.”
My hands fist at my sides. “But you have.”
He doesn’t skirt his gaze away when he answers. “Many times.”
A sound akin to a growl escapes my throat.
“Are you jealous?”
I ignore his question. “I thought that you didn’t sleep with the women who work for you?”
He shrugs, and something about the casual rebuff makes my blood burn. “I don’t sleep with the dancers. Steph is different.”
I step closer to him. “Because you care about her?”
He straightens up from the desk, and I arch my head back to look up at him. “Because I don’t, and she understands that I never will.”
I’m not sure whether to like or dislike his statement. “Is that how it would be with us?” I move even closer to him, my chest brushing his with each intake of breath.
“You tell me.” His eyes devour me, and I love that they do.
“It would be safest.”
“Is that what you want? Safe?” Bastion brings his hand up to rest on the curve of my waist, and my nipples pebble in my bra.
“It used to be what I wanted.” I’d do anything to avoid the pain I felt after Rich. But do I really think I can mess around with Bastion and not develop feelings for him? I’m still unsure.
“And now?”
“Now I just want you.” I wrap my arms around Bastion’s neck, and he brings his lips down to mine.
He slips his tongue along the seam of my lips, and I open to him, wanting more than anything to taste him. I melt into him and experience a kiss I never have before. I’m lost in the bliss of him. His scent, his moans, his strength—until two strong hands grip my upper arms and push me away.
It takes a moment for my alcohol-soaked brain to catch up. “What?”
“You’ve been drinking.” Disapproval shines in his formerly lust-filled eyes.
A scowl forms on my face. “So what? You’re judging me?”
“Not at all. But I’m not going to take this any further with you inebriated. I need to know that this is really what you want. Youneedto know it’s what you want.”
