“Ah, Lucas. My ill-advised fling when I first arrived in a poor attempt to make myself feel real and alive again. What a mistake that was. Not that he’s a bad person, I suppose. Just very damaged.”
“You both were. That’s why you were attracted to one another. You could relate to one another’s darkness. But anyway, not him. Someone who can unleash something new in you. Something exciting and fresh.”
That’s exactly how Brock feels. He’s got that hot, strong alpha side to him which turns me on immensely. Even thinking about him creates a deep and powerful stirring in my core that needs to be sated. All through the interview, I wanted to grab him, kiss him, hold him, but I didn’t. I may have flirted way more than I should have, but I resisted actually touching him. I’m proud of myself for that.
However, it might be impossible to do it on a day-to-day basis while I’m working with him.
“You aren’t ever short of attention from guys. You should be with someone, you know.”
“I don’t know, Millie. I don’t know if I’m ready for something serious.”
“I’m not saying it has to be serious. Just have some fun. Sometimes fun becomes serious.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I don’t know, though. For now, I just want to focus on getting into my new apartment and starting my new job. Anything else can come afterward.”
“Okay, that’s fair. Do you have your eye on a place?”
“I do actually. Do you want to come and see it with me? I can sign up for it now. There’s still time.”
“Yes! Let’s do it. Then we can go out for drinks afterward. Celebrate.”
“Celebrate you finally getting rid of me? Sounds good.”
“Oh, come on.” Millie pulls me in for a giant bear hug. “I don’t want you gone.”
“Oh, but you do, because your own bit of fun is getting serious, isn’t it? Mike will be moving in soon, I know it, and I’m over the moon for you. He’s a good guy, and he treats you really well.”
“He is good, isn’t he? Now I’m just going to message him and tell him I can’t meet him tonight.”
“Why not? He can come, can’t he?”
“No, he can’t come. This is a girly night, the end of an era, a time for me and you to be alone. He won’t want to listen to us reminiscing about high school and all the fun we used to have as teens.”
“Plus, all the fun we’ve had here. And all the fun we’re going to have. It might be the end of an era, but we’re still going to make lots of memories. Vegas is the perfect place for it.”
Millie typed rapidly on her phone and smiled at me. “Yep, exactly. That’s why I moved here. It’s the city that has it all. And now it has my best friend too, so it’s perfect.”
I breathe out deep, really feeling that. Vegas has transformed me or brought me back to who I always was anyway. Thomas tried to take something away from me in his selfish need to have me, but I’m still here, standing tall, being strong, tackling the world. One thing I know for sure is that I won’t ever let someone break me again.
* * *
I stare up at the casino building, smiling to myself, really feeling like I’ve made it. Luckily, I didn’t bring much stuff with me when I came to Vegas, so it didn’t take me long to move into the beautiful studio apartment that’s all mine. It might be tiny and very bare, but it’s all mine, and I love it.
“Right, Jodi,” I muttered to myself. “It’s time to nail this. Make Brock proud.”
I step inside the building and take the stairs two at a time. It’s only when I reach the top step I think my skirt might be a little short. My top covers up everything, including all my tattoos, but my legs are all on show. I didn’t think too much about it when I got dressed this morning, but now I realize it may be too much.
But I got this job by being strong and confident. I can keep it up for today.
“Hey there, Brock.” I smile widely as I step into his office, discreetly smoothing my skirt down. “It’s Monday morning, and I’m here, ready to work for you. I hope you haven’t forgotten me coming in.”
“No chance. How could I forget someone like you?” His eyes spoke volumes. “It’s good to see you again.”
He moves right into my personal space and rests his hand on my arm. I’m pretty sure this isn’t something that’s normal, but I like the way he feels. He’s strong and commanding, he takes what he wants, and right now it looks like he wants me. My emotions are so conflicted. I shouldn’t want this. I do need to keep this job, but at the same time I can’t turn off the fluttering sensation he shoots all the way through me like lightning.
“So.” I tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “What do you want me to do today?”
“I have a meeting in half an hour with a potential investor. I want you to take minutes.”