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I laughed out loud.
“We’ll discuss this when you get off work, baby.”
Baby? “But-but this is crazy. You have no claim over me or who I talk to.”
“Maybe not, but I’d like that to change. We’ll talk about it later, okay?”
I opened my mouth to demand to know why he suddenly cared so much, and how dare he talk to me like that and just what the hell he thought he was doing and instead what came out was a meek little, “Okay.”
He stepped closer and put a finger under my chin to tip it up.
“I’ll see you when you get off work, honey.”
I made myself meet his eyes. It was surprisingly hard and what the hell was that about? He smiled and walked toward the door. “I’ll come by when your shift is over. Meanwhile, no more flirting with customers, okay? Please? I really don’t like it.”
The arrogance of that remark should have made me furious, and it did. Except…it was kind of hot too.
He left and I did too, a few minutes later, my face still flushed and hot. My knees were a little wobbly, but I made my way back over to the bar.
“Back so soon?” Tommy called to me, and I just shrugged and nodded.
I got back to work, as instructed. Tommy and I didn’t even try flairing that night because we were too busy. When the next shift came in, I saw Lawrence was working, and I nodded hello, glad to see him again.
“How have you been, Cruz? We seem to be working opposite shifts.”
“True. I’ve been fine though. Keeping busy.”
“Well, stop by and see me sometime. I usually come on the weekends with Jerry, so I’m around a lot. It would be nice to talk sometime.”
I agreed it would be—just to be nice—and made my way out from behind the bar. Lawrence was a super nice guy, but I admit he made me nervous. And I was really glad it was time to go home for the evening.
Michael was suddenly there, waiting for me at the end of the bar. He’d changed into more casual clothes that still looked like they cost way too much. My heart started beating so hard as he came toward me that I thought he must be able to hear it.
“I’m driving you home,” he said, as I stepped out from behind the bar.
“I don’t mind riding the bus.”
“Maybe not. But I’m driving you home tonight just the same.”
He was so arrogant. So bossy. I gave him a look, and he sighed.
“Stop fighting me so hard. Look, I’m sorry. Let me try again. Cruz, I’d really like to drive you home so we can talk. Will you do me the honor of letting me do that?”
I smiled despite myself. “You make it hard to refuse.”
“I’m hoping you can’t. Come on. I go right by your apartment building.”
“And how do you know where I live?”
“I looked in your file.”
“Well, that’s your right as my employer, I guess, though this feels a little like stalking.” At the look he suddenly got on his face, I touched his arm. “I’m kidding. Really. But it’s not fun being accused of stalking, is it?” I slipped my hand in his arm. “Take me home, please, Mr. Bradley.”
He led me to the parking lot so we could climb in his big SUV, the same one I remembered from that night in Orlando. When he opened my door for me and held it for me to get in, I had that feeling of being cared for that had always appealed so much to me.
He didn’t start the car right away, though, but just sat there in the dimly lit parking lot and stared at me. “I used to tell myself you couldn’t have looked as good as I remembered that night in Orlando. Your hair wasn't that blue-black shade, and your eyes weren't dark brown with those flecks of hazel that were almost as golden as your skin, and there was no way your body looked as luscious as I remembered. Except then I saw you here and you did, and I was so fucked.”
“You practically accused me of stalking you.”
