Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 33048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33048 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Another man joined Noah at his table while my back was turned. He’s dressed similarly. I don’t recognize him, so it won’t be appropriate to point out where I know Noah from, nor for him to do so.
Noah smiles warmly and stands when I approach. “Good to see you. It’s been a while.” He points to his companion. “Amelia, this is Theo. Theo, Amelia.”
Theo holds out a hand and shakes mine. “Nice to meet you.”
I nod at him, unsure how else to respond.
Damn, Noah looks amazing. I think I like him better in a tie than in his usual black-on-black Dungeon attire. I turn my gaze back to him and stare. I need to get back to work, though.
“Ellie!” the bartender shouts. “A little help here!”
I point over my shoulder. “I have to, uhh...”
Noah nods. “Of course.”
I hesitate another moment and then rush toward the bar. I can’t even remember what order I’m picking up. Noah scrambled my brain with his presence.
After I deliver the next order, I glance in his direction. He’s looking at me. I flush and jerk my gaze away. Why is my face heating? He’s just some guy I know from the club who happens to be having lunch at a bar where I work.
We’re swamped, which is usual for the lunch crowd. My job is strictly as runner from the bar to the tables, but this restaurant has a lot of heavy drinkers during the lunch hour.
The next time I look, Noah and his friend are eating. I can’t stop glancing. I’m aware as they finish eating and get their bills. My heart races because I don’t want him to leave. It’s irrational. He’s nothing to me. I’m certain I’m less than nothing to him. I’m just a brat who throws tantrums at the Dungeon to get attention.
My heart sinks when I glance over to find the table empty. At least seeing him was the highlight of my day.
I’m dragging as I return to the bar with a tray of empty glasses. My breath hitches, and I stop walking when I spot Noah leaning against the bar where he’s seen me come and go dozens of times.
He grins at me. “I’m tired from watching you work,” he says softly.
“We have a lull. Take your break, Ellie,” the bartender calls out.
I blow out a breath and set my tray down next to Noah’s elbow. “How was your lunch?” I ask because I can’t think of anything else to say.
“It was lovely.” He glances toward the bartender. “I guess your friends outside the club call you Ellie?”
I nod. “It’s a nickname. No one calls me Amelia. I figured I would just use Amelia at the club. It sort of divides my personalities.”
“Makes sense. I haven’t seen you in two months.” His tone is odd. I can’t tell what he’s trying to say. I think I hear accusation and disappointment.
I swallow. I’ve been gone from the Dungeon for exactly two months. Either he noticed with great accuracy or he made an accidental guess. I reach up to nervously tuck an errant lock of hair behind my ear. “I, uh, took some time off.”
“Why? Is everything okay?”
I nod. “Yeah, sure. Yes.”
He gives me a crooked smile. “How long is your break? Can we talk somewhere?”
I glance over my shoulder. “Sure. We can step out back.” Why does he want to talk to me? I can’t believe he stayed behind after he finished eating.
I lead him to the back of the restaurant and out the door. It’s warm outside, but there’s shade from the side of the building.
“It took me a few minutes to be sure it was you when I saw you,” he says, looking up and down my body. “I’ve never seen you with your hair in a single ponytail. Nor have I seen you with pants and a blouse.”
He’s never seen me with a bra on either, but we can leave that part unspoken.
I glance down. “Yeah, they frown on the bar staff wearing frilly dresses that barely cover our butts and ruffled panties,” I joke.
He chuckles. “I guess so. So why did you stop coming to the club?”
I shrug and tuck my fingers into my back pockets to keep from fidgeting. The action stretches my blouse over my breasts, but it seems like it would be even more awkward to drop my hands now, so I just leave them.
I do notice that Noah’s gaze trails to my breasts for a moment before popping back up to my face. He lifts a brow, reminding me he asked me a question.
We’re not at the club, but his stance is very dominant even here. His feet are planted wider than necessary, his gaze penetrating. His hands come to his hips, and that furrowed brow… It feels like he’s accusing me of something naughty. He waits for me to speak.