Don had said he wouldn’t fuck me, not like I wanted him to, not until I trusted him, but he had left other things open.

My body desperately wanted to find out what those other things would be, but I kept my mouth shut.

I was still mad as all hell, still wanted to spit fire at his face.

The violent flood of his eyes said he would match my fire if I pushed. And boy did I want to push. I wanted to push until it was overflowing.

“No promises,” my clenched teeth felt like they were steps away from cracking. I kept my smile tight.

“Good girl.”

I growled, pushing off the wall, bumping into his space. He laughed, that booming, full hearty laugh he’d given me in the bathroom. I didn’t look back as it followed me, stomping off back into the bar.

??

He must have followed me in because later I had looked up to find him and some of his goonies had taken up seating of their own, but he gave me space. Not once did he talk to me, and for that I was grateful, needing the reprieve.

It didn't, however, stop me from looking to his corner every two seconds.

Don in the bar was a whole new creature to contend with. If I thought I would be safe from the swirling tumult of need and fear that he exuded by being in my own space then I was sadly fucking mistaken. His eyes didn’t move from me, not once.

Not when Clara pranced around in front of him waiting for his attention; not when his men inclined their heads to him to speak, and certainly not when the bar became uproarious with applause and cheers for the winning team.

It was well past two in the morning when the crowd was finally settling down.

I rang the bell for last call and chased out most of the servers, showing Az how to tip and tender them out for closing. Everyone was apparently keeping their slips because no one knew how to tip them out aside from pulling cash from the drawer.

I was grateful they all decided against doing that the past two nights, but the extra time on my feet left me less than gracious. I updated the computer system, refreshing, closing, and opening screens half-assed just to get everything shut down.

Laylah and Az were the only ones left aside from Don and his men. When he stood, they fell back, shuffling out the door.

I couldn’t distinguish the fluttering in my tummy from butterflies or panic, but I ignored him as he stood off to the side while I dutifully answered questions for the two godsends as they fired off their concerns from the past few days.

“Look guys, I don’t know much more than you do about the whole situation.” I looked to Don, nodding, “I’ll find out and text you guys sometime tomorrow. You did really well holding the fort considering, but we’ll make sure there’s a plan in place and start cross-training people who want to be by the time the next schedule is out.”

Laylah sighed, “Speaking of: I had requested time off with Collin, but you know how that goes. Are you going to be making the new one?”

I squeezed her shoulder, “Just text me the days you need, and I’ll work it out.”

Her shoulders slouched in relief before she wrapped her arms around my waist, giving me a hug. I stiffened, but patted her back reassuringly. Laylah was a very touchy-feely person, and it wasn’t the first time she’d stepped into my space.

She was one of the only people I ever indulged it with. It became increasingly clear that the two were waiting for me to dismiss them or ask them for my usual ride back to the apartment.

I was surprised that it was Az who asked, “Need a ride back home? I brought an extra helmet.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Don’s tone was clipped, but not impolite. I narrowed my eyes at him, but he continued, “I’ll be happy to make sure Alex gets home. Thank you for all your help to her this evening. It’s greatly appreciated.”

Laylah flushed under the compliment, taking her leave as soon as she said her goodbyes. Az stayed, glaring holes into Don before giving me a questioning glance. I rolled my eyes.

What would we do, break out and run together? But Az’s straight look told me they would do exactly that if I told them to.

I gave a subtle nod to Az, but by the way Don’s jaw ticked it wasn’t subtle enough. Not wanting a fight, I grabbed hold of Don’s arm reassuringly and pulled him to the bar calling out for Az to lock the door behind them.

“I just have a few more things to wrap up here, and then we can head out.”

Don’s fingers curled around my bicep pulling me out of the office. He reached for the key in my other hand, making me snatch it back from him with a suspicious look.

His smile was indulgent, “It’s nearly three in the morning, Alex. You’re wavering on your feet. Don’t you think you deserve a shower before bed?”

Tags: Ashley Michele Paranormal
Source: readsnovelonline.net