I take off, running between the back of the buildings toward the street where I got off the bus. I turn the corner from the alley, but trip and stumble over a crack in the sidewalk. As my leg goes out, one of my shoes flies in an arc, landing in the street, and I barely manage to keep myself upright. Pain shoots up my leg as I stub my toe on the concrete.
The tail lights of the bus glow at the bus stop two blocks away. I set off at a dead run, no time to retrieve my shoe.
Deck said I was hired, right? So I just need to get back to the original plan. I need this job, and my own childish, fairytale needs can't get in the way.
I'll come back tomorrow, explain everything to Deck, and tell him I just want the job. Nothing more. I mean, how can two people who just met let things get so out of hand? He probably tells every girl she belongs to him. This is nothing to him. He'sprobably one of those man-whores I’ve read about. I was just another cog in the wheel.
He seemed so sincere, but what do I know about men? Nothing.
I can be professional. I'll show up here tomorrow, keep things strictly business from now on, and try to forget the way he tasted me like he was starving.
In that office.
On that desk.
Under his tongue.
Oh my god, what have I done?
I'm out of breath when I reach the bus stop and have to run up and slap my hand on the door of the bus as it begins to pull away.
"Hey! Wait!"
The driver looks over, the hydraulic brakes squeal, and the doors open with the sound of a steam engine releasing pressure. Another gust breaks free, and I struggle to hold my skirt in place, the chill of the air hitting my bare skin again, making me gasp.
"Get in." The dark-haired man is genial and gives me a little smile. "Kinda late for you to be standing out there."
"I know. I'm just getting off work." I gather myself as much as possible and punch up some confidence. "I dance at the Monarch."
I plop down in the front seat, just behind the driver, trying to catch my breath.
"Oh yeah? You're a dancer, are you?" His incredulous question has me letting out a long breath. It feels like I've been holding it forever.
"Yup. Just got hired. And I'm going to be the best dancer they've ever had. You should come in sometime."
He lets out a hearty laugh. It's not at all condescending, and I immediately like him.
"We'll see." He starts the bus moving forward. "The missus might not be so keen on me coming around to see some other women dance. She's my dancer, my only dancer."
The way he says it makes me sad. I can already tell he loves her, and I wonder if that'll ever be my future.
Deck was just a fluke, a momentary lapse. I have to marry Victor. In the short time I spent with Deck, he made me feel things Victor never will. But I have to think long term.
That's what Leah always says to me. She says I don't think past the end of my nose, and for once, she's right. Stick to the plan: work, money, apartment, culinary school, then marriage to Victor. Maybe I'm just fooling myself, and none of those things will happen, but I do know I'm going to try. I'm going to dance, and I'm going to show Simon and Victor that they have to give me some independence.
I mean, why do they keep us locked up? Are they afraid we'll go out and get ourselves pregnant or something?
Who knows.
I settle into the seat for the quick ride back to the estate gates. I can still taste him on my tongue. I can still feel him between my legs.
7
Decker
The club is finally back to something resembling order. The staff handled things like the trained professionals I know they are. A small fire in the VIP area. Could have been a lot worse.
Now, Allister has the four assholes that started the melee trapped in a corner, with three of our hulk bouncers behind him, along with the six male bartenders working tonight.
