Page 15 of Vex

“I don’t know them really well but what I do know, I like a lot. Freddy said she couldn’t be safer than at the garage with them,” Suki adds.

“Apparently, the guys have been super with her and invited her back tomorrow to finish up the repairs. And Chubs insisted on taking her for dinner with him and his girlfriend before taking Tessie home. She texted to let me know she won’t be home for a little bit yet because they’re eating now. Thank you Vex for suggesting this for her. God knows that girl deserves to have a good day and some laughs,” Taja says with feeling.

I’m curious what’s been going on in their lives that going to a garage would be a good day. Before I can ask, a fight breaks out near the stage. Duty calls.

I walk into the storeroom to find a quiet place for a few minutes when I see Taja loading up a crate of different liquor bottles. I plant my ass on top of a keg and watch her move around gathering what she needs. I get a quick smile tossed over her shoulder before she goes back to searching the boxes and shelves. I admire her ass when she reaches for something on the top shelf. While the strippers obviously wear very little, the bartenders and waitstaff wear uniforms. They have a few variations they can wear, but they’re all in black. Black button downs, t-shirts or tank tops, their choice. Black jeans, shorts or skirts. Black Chucks on their feet. Freddy wanted them comfortable, so no heels unless you’re stripping. Taja has chosen to wear the t-shirt and jeans. The jeans mold to her ass, and it’s delectable. I get caught when she turns around, and her hand lands on her hip. I raise my eyes to hers and give her my best smile while shrugging one shoulder. She laughs, and my best intentions go right out the damn window. Fuck the consequences of what I’m about to do. I like and respect, both Freddy and Suki, but I make my own decisions concerning my life. I tried doing as they asked, but it’s not going to work. I’m too drawn to Taja to ignore it any longer.

I stand and step up close to her. I watch as her head goes back, so we can keep eye contact. Her long bangs are swept to the side, and I gently tuck them behind her right ear. I run the back of my hand along her cheekbone and feel myself start to harden when she leans into my hand.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Taja,” I groan out.

“So are you, Vex,” she whispers back.

I grip the side of her neck with both hands while trying to convince myself to stop where this is going. I know I should, but I don’t want to, especially when I feel her hands land lightly on my hips. I pull her up against my front and drop my mouth on hers. I don’t deepen the kiss yet; I just enjoy the feel of her mouth against mine. Her lips are full and so soft. Using the tip of my tongue, I trace them lightly. I feel the tremor that runs through her body, and I know not even the threat of Suki can stop me now. I angle my head slightly and take full possession of her mouth. She tastes sweet, and I need more. I take full advantage of her compliance and run my tongue along the inside of her warm, wet mouth. I crush our lips together and finally feel her tongue mating with mine. Her hands creep around my back, and her fingers dig in. I pull my mouth from hers, change the angle and dive back in. Without breaking our kiss, I walk her backward until her back rests against the wall. Things are getting hot and heavy, but I can’t seem to put a stop to them. I release her neck, grasp her ass and pull her lower half tight to mine. I’m hard as a rock, and I know she can feel it. I feel the bite of her nails in my back and that drives me deeper into her mouth.

“Vex? You in here?” I hear from the door. Fuck!

I pull back but keep Taja blocked from sight with my body.

“Yeah, Rod. What’cha need?” I bark.

“Need you out here,” he answers.

“Be right there,” I say and listen as he shuts the door.

Taja instantly releases me and pulls her arms to her sides. I take one step back, letting go of her and giving her a little space.

“This isn’t over, Taja. We’ll talk later when we’re done for the night, okay?”

“Yeah, okay. I’ve got to get back before Suki comes looking for me. Um, okay then, chat later, Vex,” Taja answers quietly before bolting past me, grabbing the crate of booze and walking to the door.

I make it to the door in time to open it for her and watch her walk out. Damn. She wouldn’t even look me in the eyes.

That worries me a little because I’ve gotten to know Taja fairly well over the last few months, and she’s never afraid to make eye contact with anyone. She doesn’t divulge much of her personal life, but she does open up about a lot of other things. She clearly adores her little sister, and they’re super close. She talks about taking college courses and how much she likes them. She has a great sense of humor and takes most everything in stride. She’s not a party girl, and she has no idea how gorgeous she is. She’s confident, doesn’t have low self-esteem but is in no way conceited. She truly believes the guys hitting on her would hit on anyone, and it has nothing to do with her own appeal. I’m surrounded by women who use their beauty to earn a living, many with over-the-top opinions of themselves, so Taja’s lack of that is refreshing. One thing I certainly like is she’s careful about chatting up the customers. She’s friendly and helpful but never crosses the line into being flirtatious. It’s like she has an invisible shield up that keeps men at bay, and yet I don’t feel it in place with me unless I ask too personal of a question. When that happens, Taja will change the subject, and it’s not long before we’re laughing about something Suki or Tessie did. For now, I’ll let her have that space she still feels she needs.

We text constantly, sometimes even while at work. She’ll shoot me a text about a customer that’s starting to get out of hand. She texts so she doesn’t alert the customer and cause a bigger scene. I like that she’s smart in those ways. I also like that she’s cautious about her safety. Head up, eyes alert. She doesn’t walk to her car or take breaks outside while busy on her phone. She pays attention to her surroundings and while I like that, I also have to wonder why. Most women her age have their noses in their phones completely unaware of what’s going on around them, and she doesn’t. I’m hoping it’s good lessons her mother taught her and not bad lessons she learned the hard way.

I’m finding it more difficult to keep a friends-only relationship with her. Over the last few months, I’ve barely noticed other women, and when I do, I compare them to Taja. They always end up lacking. When I first noticed I was doing this, it was disconcerting to say the least. Now, it’s the norm. I’ll listen to one of the strippers telling me about some dramatic thing going on in their life, and I know instantly how Taja would handle it. Or know that she’d never allow the drama to get that far to begin with. For being in her early 20s, she’s got her head on straight and her priorities set. I admire her, and that’s new for me. While I love my own mom, I don’t admire her or her choices at all. But Taja can’t seem to take a misstep in my mind. I’ve placed her on a pedestal, even though I know I shouldn’t, but that’s where she rates amongst the women in my life. Problem with that is this pull to her and the distraction she’s become to my peace of mind. Something needs to give and soon.

Chapter 9

Taja

I need to get myself under control and smooth out my expression, or Suki will know something happened. She’s a bloodhound when it comes to sniffing out stuff. I need to think about what happened with Vex before it gets forced out of me through Suki’s impressive interrogation skills.

I take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and release it slowly. I consciously relax my face muscles and approach the bar with the crate of booze.

“I’ll help you get this stuff put up, and then I’m hitting the road. It’s been a long ass day,” Suki says while reaching for bottles in the crate. She’s distracted, and that’s great news for me.

“Okay, sounds good,” I answer her brightly.

Working quickly, we get the job done. Suki removes her apron, grabs her purse from under the bar, gives me a quick hug and leaves for the night. I’m on my own, but it’s slowed down some and it’s manageable.

“Give me a Coke and rum. Heavy on the rum,” I hear.

Turning my head, I see it’s Kristy. She’s rude, bossy, sarcastic and catty to everyone but the men. Freddy’s probably the only person here that actually likes her. I mix her drink, slide it across the bar to her and note the pissy expression on her face. I know cutting sarcasm will be making an appearance. I’m not wrong.

“How’d someone like you get a job here? Too young, too tall and too damn mousy. Freddy must be into the helpless look now,” Kristy says making her sentiments known. “You blowing him?”

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