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I hesitate for a moment, not sure if I should take him up on the offer. I hate asking for favors, and I definitely hate feeling as though I owe someone something. Yet I know right now I don’t really have many other options. Money is tight, and without that car I won’t be able to get to work. So, I decide to suck it up and take him up on his offer.
“That would be great.” He pulls into the back lot. “Over there.” I point to the side door. I’ve got a few minutes to spare.
“Is she here tonight?” He nods toward the casino.
“If I’m here she’s here.” Instead of dropping me off at the door I pointed to, he pulls into a parking spot.
“Scott.” I groan.
“She likes me.” He shrugs and gets out of the car. Every girl in the world likes him. Not only is my brother handsome, but he’s also charming. Let's not forget that he’s also a giant whore and has heartbreak written all over him. That never stops the girls from flocking to him, though. They can’t see who he really is until it’s too late.
Even Star has fallen under my brother's spell a few times. I would think if anyone were immune, it would be her. Star is breathtaking. It’s why her burlesque shows are sold out every night. She gets a few offers of marriage each week. Men who can’t stop confessing their undying love for her. I think that’s the problem. She sees my brother as a challenge. She thinks she can get him to stay. She thinks she’ll be the one to tame him and that he’ll change for her. It’s the same mistake that each and every one of them make. There’s a reason he’s still single.
Scott follows me to the side door. I swipe my badge, and he follows me in. I shove all my stuff in a locker before I make my way toward Star’s dressing room to see what she needs me to do first tonight. Because shealwaysneeds something.
Even if she doesn’t need anything, she’ll make something up to make my life miserable. My job is to keep her happy. This is no easy task. Star might be one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen in person, but her insides do not match. I always wonder what makes someone so beautiful also so angry.
I do a double knock before I start to open her door. “You’re late,” she snaps.
I’m not, but there’s no point in correcting her. It would only make my life more miserable, and I need this job.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry be-” She stops talking. Her eyes flick over my head, and immediately her demeanor changes at the sight of Scott. A slow smile spreads across her face. She doesn't even try to cover it up. It doesn’t even faze her that she’s standing there in a pair of red panties. To be fair, that's what she wears on stage most of the time. So, she’s used to people seeing her like that.
“Hey, Star.” My brother slips past me and drops onto the sofa, making himself right at home.
“Here.” Star goes over to her vanity and picks up some papers. “Handle this.” I take them from her, knowing she wants me to get lost. I give my brother a half smile before I dip out, while trying not to gag.
I go through the list and get to work. I venture to the front of the showroom to ask the box office what tonight's list is like. Star always wants to know if there are any high rollers in attendance. I look out the doors that lead to the casino with all its flashing lights. I wonder if he’s here.
For two weeks I’ve been running into the same man on the casino floor whenever I go out to run an errand. Each time he asks me out and each time I say no. He doesn't get mad, only smiles and says he’ll see me around. I wipe my hands on my jeans. I’m feeling nervous, or maybe it’s excitement.
I don’t know why he keeps asking me out. I turn into a blushing schoolgirl who can barely form sentences when I’m around him. The man is ungodly sexy in this rough way. He's always in a custom suit, but for some reason I think if he rubbed his hands across my skin they would be rough. My arms break out with goosebumps thinking about it. Everything is dark when it comes to him, from his eyes to his hair. Even the aura around him feels dark whenever I get close to him. I’m not sure if it’s because of the power he exudes or something else.
I could go in the back way, but of course I find myself pushing out into the casino. The sounds of slot machines and people cheering fill the air. I look around, but don’t see anyone. Why am I doing this? I’m going to tell him no. I don’t date.Ever.Still, it’s flattering that a man like him keeps asking me out.
“Laura.” I suck in a breath at the deep rumble of his voice. I swear that him only saying my name makes my heart give a little flutter. I turn around to see him walking toward me. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” I answer, confused as to why he would ask me that. Even if my answer isn’t true. Everything isn't okay. I’m pretty sure I lost Betty today. “Okay.” I stop breathing when he runs his finger across my jaw.
“I didn't know something could be so soft.”
I open my mouth, but no words come out. I can’t explain the feeling running through my body either. He’s never touched me before. I can’t tell if I should smack him or lean into his hand.
“Laura! What are you doing?” Star hisses at me. “I need coffee to function and you need to see to my list.” I thought I had time.
From how angry she is right now, she must’ve done something to piss my brother off, and he left her high and dry. Now I’ll be paying for that.
“Sorry, I’m coming.” I look back to my mystery man, who is now glaring at Star. I become extremely aware that she’s only in her heels and a thin silk robe, with very little underneath. A moment of jealousy hits me when I see him staring her down. Which is totally ridiculous.
“Later.” I give him a small smile, feeling embarrassed I got in trouble in front of him.
“Who is that?” Star asks when I go to walk past her.
“I don’t know his name.”
She smiles. “Well then. I’ll go find out. You get to work.” I watch her stroll toward him. Not wanting to watch this play out or deal with the hurt I feel, I head back to get Star’s coffee. I add my mystery man to the list of the things I’ve lost today.
