Stuffed

My phone alerts me that my ride is here, and I venture back to the bedroom and grab my bag. I go to the front door and put my shoes on, but just when I go to open it an alarm sounds.

I have no idea what to do since I don’t have the code. I cringe and just walk out, hoping the company will call Rogue, and he’ll tell them it’s fine. He knows he left me alone in his bed.

By the time I finally make it to The Landing Strip, I start to think I’ve made a mistake. He burned down a gym to prove a point to me. What the hell did that even mean? Who burns down a building to get their way? It’s nuts, but it didn’t stop me from walking upstairs and packing a bag and going home with him. I think I might be a touch crazy too at this point.

“Ember,” Lawrence calls when I enter the club. Like always, he’s sitting at the bar keeping an eye on things with an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth. It will make me feel a whole lot better if he’s sitting here making sure no one messes with me.

“Call me Cherry tonight, please.”

“Cherry it is.” He looks at my street clothes and waits for me to explain.

“I got stuff.” I pat my bag. “It’s not much, but you get what you get with a last-minute call.” I shrug. “Still no word?” He shakes his head no. “I’m sorry, but it’s my mom.”

“Do yourself a favor and let her go. You can’t save people; they can only save themselves.”

“If it was only so easy,” I murmur, looking around the club. It’s already busy even though it’s still so early. Then again, it’s Vegas. “I’ll go get changed.”

It doesn’t take me long to pull it together. Not when you’re in a room full of other women more than willing to help. Plus I already know a handful of the ladies who have been here forever.

The only underwear I have are the same ones I wore last night. I don’t know how I missed packing a new pair. The inside is still covered in Rogue’s cum and I can smell him all over me too. One of the other girls asks me who I’ve been rubbing up on and my cheeks burn.

I debate covering up the small marks on the insides of my thighs with makeup, but between the fishnet pantyhose and the dim light of the club, no one will notice them. No one should be getting that close to me since I’m only serving drinks.

“You look hot.” Sable bumps her hip with mine as she hands me a small serving tray that lights up. I’m taking that as a major compliment since Sable is the prettiest and most popular girl here. “You think you can handle this? Some of the men can get a little handsy.”

“I think I can.”

“Don’t think, Cherry, know. You look like a sex kitten, but if they get a whiff of that innocence underneath, they’ll eat you alive.”

That’s not scary at all. “How does your boyfriend handle you getting naked for other men?”

She gives me a wicked smile. “He likes to watch.”

“To watch you dance?” She lets out a laugh, letting her robe fall off her shoulders before tossing it over her chair in the back.

“Oh, sweet naïve Cherry.” She steps closer to me and twirls the end of my hair around her finger. “He likes to watch me with other men.” Oh wow. The thought of Rogue with another woman makes my heart hurt. He hasn’t even been with me all the way and I don’t think I could handle that. “Women too.” She gives my hair a tug before letting go. “Think about it.” She winks before she leaves the dressing room and walks onto the main stage.

I stand there shocked for a moment. I have a feeling Rogue wouldn’t care much for me being with anyone else, man or woman. He’s possessive when we’re together, although I don’t know if it’s how he always is or if it’s me that pulls it out of him. I know it’s silly to think I’m getting something different from him because he’s clearly done this a time or two.

I let out a sigh and push away that silly feeling that I shouldn’t be at this club. Rogue and I are a fling. It’s hot and wild now, but it’ll burn out. Right?

I should have known better. I really should have. If he was willing to burn down one building, he’d be more than willing to burn down another.

Chapter Twelve

Rogue

Earlier that day…

My phone rings, and I grab it off the bedside table and switch the sound off before it can wake Ember up. She’s curled up next to me sleeping so damn good that I hate to think about anything disturbing her. When was the last time she slept? She’s been out cold for hours, she has to be getting hungry by now…