“You staying?” I toss over my shoulder as I open one of my cabinets and find some meds that I know will knock me out. Then I can sleep off the pain in my face and whatever is still in my system from being drugged.
That Swiss guy never confirmed what it was after he took my blood. But I figured if Domino left, it can’t be that bad. Maybe something that’s meant to just be worked out of my system. Hell, I might have already thrown it up, and now I’m just dealing with the lasting residue or whatever. The biker president doesn’t seem the type to go from hero-carrying me to the clinic to not giving a damn. If it was something serious, I’ve got no problem imagining Domino demanding I go to the hospital or stay at his place so he can watch out for me.
“You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
“Huh?” I turn back and lean against my counter, having only half heard what she said.
“That guy, Domino. Don’t lie and tell me you’re not. And you like him. Another thing you’re shit at hiding.”
“I’m not shit at hiding it,” I protest, but as soon as I speak, I know I screwed up based on the Cheshire-cat smile on her face.
“You’re defensive. You’re closed off. Both things that point to liking the guy. When you think someone’s an ass, you say it. When you think he’d be good for a quick lay, you say that. But when you say nothing… well, that’s all I need to know.”
I don’t give her the satisfaction of glaring at her. Nor do I say anything. I just hold my head up high and walk toward my room. At the last second, I poke my head back into the living room and say, “With that attitude, you get the couch.”
“Fine with me, babe.” She’s already kicking off her shoes and pulling the blanket from the back of the couch over her. “This is comfier than that mattress of yours. You’re the one who’s missing out.”
Now I do glare because she’s right. First thing tomorrow, I’m buying a new mattress.
“Make sure you get one that’s roomy enough for two. You’re going to need it.”
I pause and look at her. Then at the wall, as if it has a recording of what just happened.
“No, you didn’t speak out loud.” I look at her again and raise both eyebrows. “I just know you. Your bed is shit, and you know it. It’s logic that got me thinking you wanted a new one. That and I always complain about your current one and the lumps in the mattress. And you’re on the cusp of falling asleep after that pill you took, which always has you acting odd. Go lie down. Pass out. We can talk about this tomorrow. I’ll even help you find a mattress place that’s open on the holiday. We might get a discount.”
I nod a few times, already feeling drowsy as hell as I fumble my way to my room. And the woman is crazy right, because I don’t even take off the damn dress before I flop onto my bed, not even bouncing a single moment. Definitely need a new mattress.
And while the place isn’t that big, my bedroom is a decent size. Maybe I should get something bigger than a full. You know, for me. And all the spreading of the legs.
Wait, not like that. I just meant I need to spread out.
Right.
Dammit. Now even my inner thoughts are against me.
I roll to my side and get as comfortable as I can. As I drift off to sleep, I only have one thought on my mind.
Tacos.
Chapter 9—Domino
Irub thesleep out of my eyes, but I still feel like I could go about four more hours in my bed. But I know it’s not going to happen. I slump against the elevator wall as I descend from my floor to the second floor. The club converted all the business event spaces into offices, and the president’s is no different. I don’t usually take the elevator, preferring to get my blood pumping by using the stairs, plus I hate waiting. But I know only a few are up at this hour around the club, so I took advantage of the lazy-man walk from my room on the top floor to the second. A grand three flights. But it makes a difference when you’re dragging in the morning.
As the door dings open, I head to the coffee maker. It was the first purchase I made for the club. It sits front and center on the second floor, and I use it often. Not as much as the others, but enough that I’ve got my own cup that the prospects clean and set up every night.
I’ll admit, Mama Bear spoiled me when she came to the club. Before her, I took coffee black with sugar if I had to have it and forced it down. Didn’t really know what else was out there, as I had no need to learn. I was happy with what was put in front of me. But then Chains’ old lady taught me that not only are there different flavors of creamer to put in coffee, but it’s also not that hard to make cappuccinos and lattes. I’m not snobby enough to make one every morning or anything, but now I can order one with the best of them at chain joints.
The coffee machine I got for the club isn’t fancy. None of these guys would be for it, and I’m trying to gain trust while encouraging a little fear. Don’t want my man card called into play by making what some might think to be froufrou??? coffee. So instead, I opted for a variety of creamers. And today looks like an Italian Sweet Cream kind of day. I would kill for a double espresso, but I can deal with this. Unlike Mama Bear, I don’t drink coffee all day. A couple or two when I’m exhausted like this and I’m good. Sometimes three if things are really bad. And if it takes three, then I go straight black, ’cause it means the fluffy shit ain’t working enough to get the job done.
Going to the office, I unlock the door, turn on the lights, and shut the door behind me before making my way to the desk. While my old club may not have locked shit down, this place isn’t like that. We don’t all trust one another like back home. I might like some of these guys, but we’re still in the treading-light stage.
I power up the computer system, taking a satisfying sip of the hot coffee and letting it thaw me a bit. I seem to always have a sweater on these days. And while the heater is on, the floors are heated, and I’m drinking a hot drink, there’s still a chill in my bones.
Once the system is up, I log into the secure link Flint set up and wait for the video call to start. Casper and I used to talk daily, but since I wasn’t able to give him many updates, it’s now down to the start of each week. Like a regular freaking corporate job, just with better benefits.
“What has you smiling this early?” Flint’s face comes into view, and I should have known he was watching me despite not allowing me to see he was on the call yet. Guy’sfreaky with his computer ways. Each time he does something that sends a tingle up my spine just makes me happy to have him on my side.
“Thinking about the similarities between this gig and a life in a corporate office.”
