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Although where Stephan was cocky and obnoxious because he probably thought he deserved something simply for who he was affiliated with, Enzo was brutal and raw, having this animal quality and taking what he wanted, because he had earned it.
I shivered again at how just thinking about Enzo affected me.
I might not have known him that well yet, but I didn’t have to in order to understand he didn’t expect to get things simply because of his name. He got them because he’d fought for them.
“Hey, Bianca.” Stephan said my name with a little too much sweetness laced in his voice… as if he knew I’d be a sure thing or something.
His grin broadened—another thing that reminded me of him trying to “seal the deal.”
He leaned against the counter, his cologne so overpowering it was clear he doused himself in it before coming to work. I wrinkled my nose, not just from the stench or his close proximity, but also the cocky vibes he was throwing off.
“Stephan,” I responded politely, professionally. I leaned farther back in my chair, giving him a tight-lipped smile I reserved for the more annoying people I met in life.
Stephan didn’t say anything as he stared at me awkwardly for a long moment, so long that as the silence stretched out between us, I started to become uncomfortable.
I was about to tell him I had to get back to work, when he cleared his throat and looked around. And that’s when I knew what he was about to do and internally groaned. It wasn’t like guys were beating down my door for a date, but when I had been asked out, it was usually along the same lines of what was about to happen. But given the cockiness Stephan exuded, I was surprised he even cared if someone overheard him make a pass at me.
He faced me again, his smile still in place as he leaned forward another inch. My nose tingled from the overpowering scent of his cologne, but I said nothing and kept my professional smile in place. Surely he could tell when a woman wasn’t interested just by the look she gave him?
It wasn’t as if I had led him on. Not in the least. In fact, I made sure to not interact with him unless absolutely necessary.
“I was wondering if you have any plans after work tonight?” He didn’t give me a chance to respond before he started speaking again. “I wanted to see if you’d like to check out Static, that new nightclub that opened up a few blocks from here.”
I couldn’t help it—I cringed. Had he seriously just asked me to go to a nightclub? Like no coffee, no movie, hell, not even dinner first. Nope, Stephan went right in for the kill, apparently.
I cleared my throat to try to hide my clear awkwardness.
“Don’t say no,” he hurriedly said. “Think about it, and let me know when we get off work.” If it were possible, his grin widened even more. “I think you and I could have a real good time, Bianca. I’d love to get to know you better.”
Oh for fuck’s sake.
I didn’t need ‘til the end of the day to know I wouldn’t be going anywhere with Stephan. He just gave me creep vibes like no other, and besides, I was already in pretty deep with Enzo after only one date.
“Actually,” I said, stopping Stephan before he turned around fully and walked away, “thank you for the offer, but I’m not really a nightclub kind of girl.” Of course that was a lie. I’d been to several clubs in the city over the years and had a good time, and I would go again—just not with Stephan.
Never with him.
He didn’t want to go as friends, didn’t want to go and just enjoy ourselves and the atmosphere. It was very clear by the set of his jaw and the way he continued to look at me that he wanted me to go for a specific reason.
To have enough drinks that taking me home would be a sure thing, in his eyes.
He didn’t say anything, and his expression didn’t reveal his thoughts, but I did notice the slight clench of his jaw before he plastered on a fake-as-hell smile.
Definitely not used to being turned down, that was for sure.
“I’ll take that raincheck.” His grin was even wider, and I didn’t stop myself from lowering my brows in what was no doubt a confused look.
I was about to clear that up as well, tell him I was in a relationship—even though I’d only gone on the one date and we certainly hadn’t talked about anything serious—but Stephan gave me a wink and sauntered off before I could utter a word.
He made a beeline right to Suzanna, another staff worker at Seeking Curves, and instantly his charm was slapped right back on. I could only shake my head, thankful he latched his attention onto someone else, and it was clear Suzanna was all about that attention.
