She scrunches her pretty face even further.
I lean closer, so I can inhale her floral scent that gets me high. “I’mworkingon getting you back to my place.”
Her body stiffens. She clenches her thighs and rubs them together, giving off more of her scent that’s only her.
“Would you like that, Red? I could massage your tired legs, rub your sore feet and that other ache between your thighs.”
Her mouth drops open, her chest heaves with each deep breath, pushing her tits out even more. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Dominic. You can call me Dom.” My tongue darts out to wet my dry lips. That was a bold move, but we’ve danced around this attraction between us for long enough, and I’m not a patient man.
“I have to get back to work.” She stands in a daze and mindlessly walks away, forgetting the tray. I don’t call after her. She’ll be back, and I look forward to it.
* * *
Walking outside,the cool night air coats my sticky skin. The street lights illuminate this otherwise dull car park on the outskirts of the city centre. I pull my keys from my pocket and click the button to unlock the car, then slide into the leather, rolling my neck to relieve the tension.
I roll up a cigarette, then flick my zippo and inhale the nicotine, getting my fix while I wait for her to finish work. My usual routine, but tonight I’m hoping she’ll take me up on my offer, or I’ll get an invite to her place.
I tap the ash out of the window, watching the drunk parties leave the club, followed by some of the girls. They look different fully clothed. When you spend your nights surrounded by girls in their underwear, you become desensitised. But I’d still like to see Poppy strip for me.
As sexy as she looks with the sleek black bob, I can’t stop thinking about how she’ll look with her long red curls flowing around her big tits. That round stomach pressed against me while I fuck her succulent pussy. Is she red there too? She will be by the time I’ve finished with her.
A low groan leaves my lips as I think about all the things I want to do to her. She was only ever meant to be a job. But I can’t move on now. Not now I’ve set my sights on my red fox.
Never get involved. My brother’s words ring loud and clear in my head, but it’s too late now. I am involved, and I’ll do whatever it takes to put things right.
Her innocent smile pushes her rosy cheeks up as she steps out of the club, waving at the other girls jumping in their rides or walking to their cars. She has a modest life. A clapped out old car and a small one-bedroom flat on one of the roughest estates on this side of the city. I asked a few of my buddies to look out for her, including Joe, the bouncer. But the only way I can truly protect her is if I’m with her.
I light another roll-up, watching her slip into her old Fiesta. She hasn’t seen me waiting in the darkness. She never does. Turning the ignition, I shift into gear and drive the Range Rover into a parking bay next to her Fiesta. Her head rests against the steering wheel.
My chest tightens as I jump out of the car. I take a deep inhale of nicotine, hoping to calm my quickening pulse now I have her alone in my grasp. The cherry flares, matching the flare of desire in my eyes. It’s time we stop dancing around our attraction. I need to move things along, and this seems like the only solution.
4
POPPY
“Having car trouble?”
My bones jump out of my skin. Dread claws at my neck as I turn to face the window. His forehead rests against the glass. I relax when I see those dark eyes with a hint of warmth and the familiar buzzcut.
I wind my window down an inch. “It won’t start.”
“Flip the bonnet.” He throws his cigarette butt to the floor and lets the smoke curl from his mouth as he nods towards the front of the car.
I push the button under the steering wheel that pops the bonnet, and he lifts it up. Gingerly, I step out of the car, checking Joe the bouncer is still on the door.
“Is it the battery? It happened to me last month, and I had to charge it. Don’t suppose you have any jump leads?” I twist the strap of my bag between my palms.
“It’s difficult to say. Turn your engine, what kind of sound does it make?”
As I turn around, my foot slips. Dom catches me, his broad chest like a wall against my back. I peel the matchbook from the sole of my shoe, then drop it like it’s a poisonous snake. My stomach plummets. My heart pounds in my ears and I can’t think through the thick fog clouding my mind.
A matchbook with the casino branding from my last place of work is the last thing I expected to see here. Struggling to breathe, I lean against my car door, scanning the car park for any sign ofhimor his minions. I thought after all this time I was safe. Although I still wear the wig because I like keeping my anonymity. Only Sasha knows my true identity, and I want to keep it that way.
“Hey, hey. Breathe.” Large tattooed hands cup my face. “Focus on me and breathe with me. You’re safe with me.”
I stare into his deep brown eyes with flecks of gold under the street lamp. My breathing slows as I inhale and exhale in rhythm with his own ragged breaths.
