We start to walk out the same way we come in, and I try my best not to look back to see if he even noticed me leaving. He hasn’t stopped by to see me all night, it’s like he’s forgotten all about me. I’m not even sure if that hurts my feelings since I should know better. I should keep everything strictly business, since I want to work here for as long as possible. I’m earning decent money here, more so than I could have ever earned at my other job.
“Elicea.”
My eyes fly up at his voice. Searching until they find him, he’s still in the same spot he has been most of the night working. My heart beats so loudly I can hear it echo through my ears, waiting to see what he’ll say. “No work tomorrow, you’re not needed.”
It drops, all the way down to my feet. I’m afraid to look down, thinking I may actually see my heart there. I nod, letting the door finally shut behind me as I get into Johnny’s car. He doesn’t say much as he drives me home. Kissing his cheek, I go inside and strip, turning up the music loudly before getting in the shower—hoping it will drown the thoughts running rampant in my mind.
Am I good enough?
Is this something you really want, to love someone like him?
Do you even want to love, when the possibility of getting hurt is so high?
Men like him don’t love women like me, I question if they love at all.
Scrubbing my skin, I look down to my red feet that the hot water cascades over. Working twelve hours in a bar where drinks spill on you, you end up sticky. Places I never thought I would be sticky end up covered in alcohol.
Wrapping a towel around myself, I hear someone knock loudly on my door. It’s probably Tracey—she finishes work around this time. I don’t bother changing as I pull the door open but instead of Tracey, standing there are two men. One has his eyes glued to me, staring like he’s about to push me in and shut the door behind us.
“Good evening, gentlemen.”
Falcon nods, not discreetly, as his eyes roam my body.
Creed, on the other hand, well, his gaze meets mine. His hand is glued to the door frame and his knuckles are turning white.
“We messaged you,” Falcon says pushing past me into my home. Creed stays at the door, his hand not moving from the spot on the door frame.
“I was showering,” I reply to Falcon but still watching Creed, whose gaze has travelled down to my bare legs.
“You smell like strawberries,” Falcon says as he pulls out a chair. I hear it scrape on the floor as I turn to look at him.
“What are you doing here?”
Falcon looks to his cell, types something out fast then pockets it before he looks back to me. “Get dressed, we have somewhere to be.” I eye him before looking back to Creed, who let go of my doorframe and stepped inside. His front is to my back, neither of us says a word as he shuts the door—both of us not moving. His breath tickles my neck, and I try to restrain from jumping.
“Or you can go like that, I’m a pleaser.” Falcon winks.
I move away from Creed and go to my room, making sure I shut the door. I throw on a simple black dress and heels, leaving my hair down and wet—no time to dry or straighten it. The curls will have to do tonight.
I pause at the door. Creed is leaning over Falcon while he holds his collar, his face inches from Falcon as he whispers. From his tone I can tell he’s angry, very fucking angry with him. I cough and they both stand at the exact same time.
“Beautiful. Shall we?” Falcon asks with a wave to the door.
I should be shy that two very large and attractive men are currently in my extremely small apartment that’s not tidy at all. If I had time to think about it, I’d probably be mortified. But my hands are sweaty, and my pulse is racing while I stand next to Creed as we reach the car. It’s not his car, his is sleek and powerful. This one is a Hummer, large and big. Falcon gets in the driver’s seat as Creed holds open the back door for me to slide in. He offers me his hand as I step on the step and use it to push myself inside. His hand squeezes mine as he lets go and shuts the door. He slides into the front passenger seat.
“Are most of the work people going to attend? Where did you say we’re going again?” I ask, clutching my cell to me. That’s when I realize I didn’t grab my purse.