“I don’t need that much,” she whispers, reaching up to kiss me.
“Vee,” I frame her face with both hands, readying to tell her. To say the words she needs, the words that barely express the weight of my feelings for her.
“Vee, I lo—” A howling meow interrupts me. Claws did into my back, making me lunge off the couch.
“Marion!” Vee rolls off the couch as the cat tumbles from my back to the floor, scurrying beneath the couch. “She must have snuck in when you got here.”
She pulls the cat out from beneath the couch and cradles it in her arms like it’s a precious little angel and not the devil’s spawn from hell. I reach back, trying to rub the place the damn thing scratched me and find a tear in my shirt.
“Maybe she thought you were hurting me.” Vee laughs when I twist around to show her the damage her little friend caused. “I’ll take her back to Max’s.”
She leaves the apartment door open while she carries the feline felon home, and I sit on the edge of the couch, checking my phone that’s been buzzing with messages.
“Sorry about that. I’ll get you a new shirt,” Vee says when she comes back.
“I don’t care about the shirt.” I scroll to the next message from Alexander.
She touches my arm to get my attention. “Everything okay?”
“I need to get back to the club. There’s been some issues with the auction.” I grab my suit jacket from the back of the couch and press a hard kiss to her lips.
“Oh, okay.”
“I’ll be back tonight, though. Keep your door locked. I’ll text you when I’m on my way.” I kiss her once more, knowing it’s not enough to get me through the next few hours.
Soon, I’ll have this woman in my bed every night, and then it won’t have to be like this.
“I’ll probably be asleep.”
“Then I’ll wake you up,” I grin. “Trust me, I’ll make it worth the wait.”
“Vee. I’m so glad you’re here. Thank you for coming in a little early.” Meredith greets me as soon as I step inside the employee entrance.
“Sure, of course.” I slip out of my jacket.
“Caroline was supposed to start at six, but she hasn’t shown up yet, and she’s not answering her phone.” Meredith follows me to the locker room entrance. “It’s crazy tonight. One of the gaming board members showed up with five guests, and they’ve taken over two of the gaming rooms. The deputy mayor demanded to use one of the playrooms, even though they were all being used, so I had to shuffle things…it’s just been a mess.”
“It’s okay, Meredith. I’m here. Where do you want me?” I pull my uniform out of my locker.
“Section four and five. I’ve moved Lulu from the lounge to the gaming rooms.”
“Not a problem.” I force a smile and start changing.
“Good. Thank you so much!” She yanks the door open and disappears through it in a rush.
After a quick change, I grab my phone to tuck it into the small pocket of my uniform when a call comes through.
My stomach drops.
I should ignore it.
It would be smart to block the number. Why haven’t I done that already?
“Kieran. You can’t call me anymore,” I answer.
“Soon, love, I’ll be done with you soon. I’m having trouble getting inside tonight, need you to come tell this overgrown maggot to let me in. I’m a special guest.”
“No. No way, we’re done. You’ve been banned from the club.”
