Page 12 of Burn With Me

“I…I don’t know.” Another truth I’m not sure why I willingly give him. Perhaps it’s because he’s like my stranger come to life, and I feel a connection to him even though he’snot.

My corset feels too tight, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep the tears that are threatening to make an appearance at bay. All I wanted was to feel powerful. Like I was in control of my body.

Now I just feel stupid.

He tilts his head to the side as if he’s mulling that information around in his head. “I’ll ask again, then. Why are you working here?”

Closing my eyes, I inhale, letting the air fill my lungs as I ground myself and try desperately not to fall apart. I’m gonna get fired before the night is over.

He’s patient while I pull myself together and think about what I could possibly say. Standing there with his hands in his pockets, his eyes are like molten gold against the inky darkness of his mask.

Taking my time to get it all out, I decide to just be honest. “I don’t have much experience with this sort of thing. I wanted a way to feel in control. And to…to find someone who could…teach me…things.”

It might be a trick of the light, but I swear a shudder goes through his body. The muscles of his arms flex–a clear giveaway that he’s clenching his fists in his pockets. “Are you a virgin?”

Shaking my head slightly, I clasp my hands together behind my back. The masks keep our identities hidden, so might as well just go all in with the truth-telling tonight. “No. But I might as well be.”

He lets out a noise that’s somewhere between a hoarse cry and a laugh. “Oh, you’re just a rare gem, aren’t you?” One of his hands lifts to run through his hair. “Tell me, what must I do to ensure onlyIcan book you?”

My lower belly tightens, and there’s a flutter in my stomach like a hamster just got on its wheel and started running furiously. “I’m not sure that’s a thing you can do,” I say breathlessly.

The room shifts, as if the air itself is coiling around us, tightening with tension. “I assure you, it will be before the night is through. That is…if you want it to be.”

“Yes.” My reply is immediate. It’s bad enough that I lost my composure the moment he started talking, but I can’t imagine doing this with another man.

It’s irrational to think of him as my imaginary childhood friend, but he feels so familiar–the coincidence is too extreme–and I want more time with him.

“Then I’ll make it happen. For now, I think it’s time for you to clock out for the night.” He turns to grab his jacket and then watches me expectantly.

“When will I see you again?” I’m anxious, like a puppy whose owner is about to leave it alone for the first time.

A genuine smile takes up his whole face, and I long to see what’s underneath the mask. He motions to the door behind me. “Good night, Little Ember.”

Hesitantly, I step back, still facing him, and reply, “Good night, My Stranger.”

His head cocks to the side. “My stranger? Interesting choice of name.”

My lips tilt up at the corner as I continue backing up to the door. “Maybe I’ll tell you about it one day.”

The guard is standing right outside when I step out, andhe ushers me down the hall before I can even catch my breath. But there’s a permanent smile on my face as I immediately make my way back to the changing suite.

I have no idea if it's even possible for one client to book an Angel all to themselves, but I really hope that whoever he is, he’s able to.

Jackson

“Where did you disappear off to last night?” my uncle asks as he breezes into my penthouse unannounced.

I’m still sitting at my breakfast bar enjoying my coffee, for Christ’s sake. “Got bored, came home. Why are you here so early? Shouldn’t you have jetted off somewhere for the weekend with a girl from the club?”

Snorting, he helps himself to my fridge, pulling out a container of sliced strawberries that Claudia had prepared for me a few days ago. Since Aunt Sadie moved to Jacksonville permanently, their housekeeper has been staying busy by coming to my place to cook and clean. She reminds me of my grandma, in a way, and I can honestly say that she’s the only woman, besides my aunt, who doesn’t grate on my nerves after an hour.

“I made a list of things that need improving at the club. How Carmela has kept that place running for so long without anyone causing major issues is beyond me.” The dregs of my coffee are bitter as I finish my cup and move to rinse it out in the sink. Before I left Désirer last night, I had a long conversation with the booker. It took some convincing—and a wad ofhundreds—to ensure that Ginny wasn’t to be booked by anyone other than me.

Whoever the old man was in charge of that wing, he hadn’t been so easily bribed. But, in the end, took the money, making it clear he wanted my ID number the next time he saw me, which would be no problem since the man in charge of issuing the cardshadbeen easily bribed. Two shiny, black metal cards were now tucked away in my wallet. One with the slightest scratch on the stem of the feather on the front, so I knew which one to use for my alter ego and which to use when I was with my uncle.

The greasy ID man looked like a kid who hadn’t seen the sun in months. Like he lives in the underground room that was set up for him to prepare the cards. There’d been a bed, a kitchenette, and a bathroom, along with multiple machines to make the exclusive cards. I’m not sure where they’re getting the people who work for them, or who is in charge of vetting them, but if I’m going to have any hand in the club from this point forward, some things are going to change—just as soon as they’ve all served my purpose.

“Morroni’s men took care of everything. There was never any word of disturbances because they got cleaned up quickly and quietly. Since Mick kicked Morroni out last year, things have been tense. Half his men are still there because Carmela needs the security, and because Morroni thinks Mick is gonna cave and ask him to come back. Either way, it’s been a power struggle.”

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