He must have shown up late because I hadn’t seen him before my fall. But once I took in his appearance I could tell he was different from the rest of them. The air around him felt charged, and I was drawn to him. They don’t make men like Bastian where I’m from. He’s not rough and gritty, but more like sharpened stone. His suit was polished and put together, but I could feel there was something hard and solid underneath.
“Yo, chubby bunny. Your tray’s done.”
“Fuck off, Jeremy,” one of the other bunnies says before I can even respond to the prick. I’d like to tell him to fuck off too, but he’s honestly not worth the time.
When I take the tray and walk out of the kitchen, I can’t help looking around hopefully to see if Bastian is still there. When he’s not, I’m disappointed but try to shake it off.
With my shoulders back, I circle around the room slowly, trying to keep my balance. Out of the corner of my eye I see him again, but the excitement dies when I see he’s already had his attention captured. I should have known, but my dumb heart sinks when I see he’s got two bunnies next to him. They’re both beautiful, but all of the bunnies working are.
So much for him being my safety net. A man is nice to me for two seconds and I think he might be hitting on me. I’m such a dumbass. This place is crawling with beautiful women, why would he really settle for me when he could have the whole room?
“What do we have here?” An older gentleman walks up beside me and I try not to be startled by his surprise appearance.
It’s then that I notice his eyes aren’t on my tray but all over me. I know I’m practically naked, but he makes me feel like I actually am. When he licks his lips my stomach tightens, and I wish I could take a step back. I also wish I could grab the front of my outfit and pull it up, but I know this skintight costume isn't going to move an inch. At this point it’s fused with my skin, and I’ll have to be buried in it.
“King crab rolls,” I tell him brightly and hold the tray between us. My smile stretches tight, and I pray he takes the hint. What the heck is wrong with these men? Don’t they have granddaughters my age? If my brothers saw me right now they’d burn this place down.
“I was thinking of something sweeter.” He licks his lip again and this time I stand there like a deer caught in headlights.
I want to smack him and my palm is tingling for me to do it. But I’m sure there is some law about assaulting old people that is harsher than a normal assault. I know they said we should be chatty if approached, but I don’t think I can fake the kind of interest they want me to display.
“I’ll take this off your hands, Lux. Why don’t you get this man a drink?” Matthew says, taking the tray from my hand. He’s such a dick.
“I think that’s a great idea,” Old Guy says as he goes to put his arm around me.
Before I can step out of the contact, someone grabs his attention by calling his name loudly. We both turn, and I see Bastian heading our way. His smile is broad, but it doesn’t reach his eyes as he walks over to us with the two bunnies trailing close behind. I try to feign indifference, but I’m praying he needs to have a private chat with the old dude right this second.
“Bastian.” The man stands up straighter, but it doesn’t help. He’s the same height as me with these heels on. “I didn't see you come in.”
“I got here a while ago.” His eyes flick to me, and I fidget a little under his stare. “Hey George, have you met Mindy and Cora?” Bastian motions to the two bunnies.
“Cindy,” one of the girls corrects, and I bite the inside of my cheek so that I don’t laugh.
“No, I don’t think I have.” His wrinkled face creases as he smiles, and both of the girls giggle.
“We should change that then,” Cindy suggests, running her fingers up his chest. How can she manage to do that without her skin crawling?
“He needs a drink,” I encourage the bunnies, wanting him as far away from me as possible.
“We can do that.” They sidle up next to him, and George looks at me for a long second. Crap on a stick. “Why don’t you come with us?” Both the girls scrunch their faces, not liking that idea, but the feeling is mutual.
“I think I’ll take this one.” Bastian puts his arm around me, and I force myself to pretend I’m not relieved.