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“Sure,” I said, as I saw Michael coming out of the back rooms.
“Unless you might like to dance?” the Dom asked hopefully.
I laughed. “No, thanks. I’ve been on my feet all night. I’m tired.”
I watched as Michael spotted me and the other Dom and his eyebrows went together in a little frown. He changed courses and walked straight over to us, stopping at the table and staring down at us.
“Sorry to interrupt, but Cruz, you need to get back to work,” Michael announced as he came to our table.
At first, I couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. I was due a break of about twenty minutes, and it hadn’t even been five since I sat down. Then I understood, and it flew all over me. The other guy looked up sharply. He gave Michael an appraising gaze.
“Yeah? Says who? He just took his break a few minutes ago. And by the way, I don’t see a collar, and he seems to be okay with me sitting here with him.”
Michael ignored him and spoke directly to me. “I said, break time’s over, Cruz. Why don’t you get back to the bar?”
The other guy sitting next to me stood up and faced Michael, putting himself directly in his line of sight. “Who are you to tell him that? He said he’s tired.”
“I’m his fucking boss, that’s who. Now butt the hell out. This is a private conversation.”
I stood up quickly then, just wanting this to stop. We had begun to get some attention from the other patrons, and it was getting embarrassing.
“Okay. I just went on break, but I’ll go back to work if that’s what you want, Mr. Bradley.”
Completely ignoring me, Michael addressed the other man. “Cruz is not available. That’s all you need to know.”
My mouth fell open at that remark, and the other Dom glared at Michael. “Do you want me to get rid of this guy for you?” he asked me over his shoulder.
Michael grinned at him, a dangerous glint in his eye. “Oh, please try.”
“Stop it, both of you. This is stupid! I’m going back to work, since it seems to be such an issue.”
I stormed off without so much as a backward glance. Really, I didn’t care if they drew blood or even killed each other right there in the middle of the club. I felt a hot flush travel up my neck. Why hadn’t I said no? I was Michael’s employee but not his sub, not by any stretch of the imagination, and he didn’t even like me. Why the hell was he acting this way?
Instead of going directly back to the bar, though, I went to the men’s room to at least relieve myself and splash some water on my hot face. I found the room empty for a change and afterward, I went over to the sink to wash my hands, jumping a little when the door opened, and Michael sauntered in.
“Are you following me?” I asked him.
Michael leaned against the wall beside the sinks and stared at me. He didn’t say anything, just gazed at me sternly until I turned and faced him, still rinsing my hands. I cleared my throat, but nothing came out. I simply stared at Michael, unable to look away. Did the man have some evil voodoo powers? Why couldn’t I just speak up and tell him what I thought about that kind of high-handed behavior? Since when did Michael Bradley have any say-so over who I spoke to or sat with? And why were my hands sweating even though they were in cold water?
“I’ve decided,” he said softly, still staring at me. “That I don’t like it when you sit with other men—or when you flirt with them.”
“Well, I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“Say you understand.”
“But I don’t.”
Gathering up my nerve, I glared directly into his eyes. “You don’t have any claim on me, you know, other than as my employer. You made it clear you don’t like me or want me around, so I don’t know what you want from me anyway. I’m not your sub, you know. I’m not going to fall to my knees and lick your boots.”
He shrugged. “You kind of want to, though, don’t you?”
I gasped and took a big backward step, almost falling over a trash can. Michael reached for me and steadied me with his hand on my arm. “Be careful.”
The warm pressure of his touch was kind of a shock. I looked up at him and he leaned in and brushed his lips across mine. “Oh, and the boots thing—maybe next time,” he said, and then smiled. “You should see your face right now. You’re so mad at me. Just stop, Cruz. Stop fighting so hard.”
“I don’t understand why you’re saying this. Or why you just kissed me. Or…”
“I just want us to be friends. Can’t we do that?”
