"Oh my!" Flustered, Rue fights between checking on me and picking up the broken glasses on the floor. Thankfully, Michelle, on the other side of the bar, instantly tells her not to touch the glass. With that, she's shifting her hands like she doesn't know where to put them to help. "Bunny, I'm sorry. I was mid-conversation and... I'm so sorry."
Hitting me with too many apologies at once, my smile remains in place to reassure her that I'm fine. Been working here long enough to know accidents happen.
"It's alright, love." Giving her hands a small squeeze, I look down at myself and grimace at my corset. It's going to take a minute to undo it and dry it thoroughly.
Michelle is quick with a broom and a dustpan, making the mess beneath us disappear like it never happened. Rue insists on helping clean up the liquid collecting at our feet, all while muttering more of the apologies.
No wonder why she's so popular with our gamblers. Those flushed ears and cheeks are adorable.
Once I can step over without tracking any liquid, I excuse myself to dry off before my skin gets sticky. With hours still left on my shift, the last thing I need is a rash on my chest. Nothing sexy about that.
Hitting the back section of the casino and slipping inside of the changing room, I'm already fumbling with the strings. The corset does magic for my breasts, but it's always the biggest pain in my ass to get on and off.
By the time I stop, I'm in the wash area of the room. There's usually always a woman or two hunched over the sink, perfecting their makeup or adjusting their work outfit.
Thankfully, no one is around to watch me get out of this deathtrap of a device. They'd see me flushed and sweaty, getting the wrong idea in their head.
Once it's off and beneath the stream of water, I'm grimacing at the front of my dress. The fabric is damp all the way to my stomach. Plucking it back, my smile slips away when I see my bra is splotchy.
I'm not about to get naked in here for some comfort. Papertowels will have to do then.
Muttering a curse under my breath, out of pure frustration of it happening, I barely hear it beneath the rush of water. A scruff of shoes steeping.
It's a locker room of all places, so it wouldn't be surprising if anyone else has come in, but there's something about the silence that follows after that that has the hairs on my arms lifting. Shutting off the water, I stand a little taller.
"Rue?" Maybe she came back to check up on me, or hell, to apologize a thousand times more. At the silence that follows, my stomach clenches. "Smoke?"
I hate the feeling of fear. It's the unknown of it that claws at my lungs, making it hard to breathe. This could be nothing but my imagination playing tricks on me.
Smoke's been filling up my mind as of late. Every day that passed, I thought less and less of my stalker. Without realizing it, I've lowered my guard. Forgotten about the importance of not ever being alone.
"Even now, you call for him.Bunny." There's a sudden groan from the doorway before fingers appear, wrapping around the arch. Another thudded step before I see him.
Not Smoke. Not someone from the security team.
"Reuben?"
I can't keep the confusion from my voice. After all, this is a worker I haven't even spoken to. Not really. Maybe in passing at most. A dealer out of all people? Sure, I may have stopped by his tables to deliver drinks, but I've never...
He doesn't approach me, thank God. But he does step into the smaller space before leaning against the arch, blocking the exit with his legs.
Getting past him without being touched will be impossible. Just my luck, the only protection I keep on me is tucked in the pocket of my jeans.
"I heard the commotion. Came to check on you." He tilts his head. His eyes dip to take in the state of my chest. I don’t miss the way they linger.
Despite being used to it, I’ve never felt more disgusted than I do now. Looks like he’s just like the rest of them. I find myself clutching at the wet fabric, attempting to pull it up to hide myself better.
Stay calm, Bunny. The sooner you freak out, the sooner he'll react.
"This is the woman's room, sugar. There could've been people changing." My voice wavers. I hate that.
He tears his eyes away to look into the locker room. A small smile curls on his lips. "But there isn't. I wouldn't have come in if there were."
How long has he been watching to see if anyone comes in or out? How long has he been away from his table?
"Reuben—"
"I don't get it." His smile fades. "No matter how many times I try to run it through my head, I just can't wrap my mind around it." He fixes his gaze back on me. "For months, I've watched you, Bun. Watched you be disrespected over and over. You still smiled so sweetly at all those undeserving men. I wanted to do things right. Treat you the way you deserve."
