Page 22 of Scorched King

That was the beauty of the secluded spot I’d built back here. It was a private escape where I could catch my breath when I needed to without going far or being out of pocket for the club.

“Wow. This is gorgeous. I can’t believe I didn’t know this was back here.”

I turned to find Sasha slipping quietly through the sliding door I’d left open behind me. As to be expected, my clothes were far too big for her. The shirt alone was so big that it covered the shorts and looked more like a short dress. They did a fair job of hiding her curves so I’d call it a mission success. In fact, if I was going to keep my mind out of the gutter when it came to her, she might need to dress like this more often. I thought about making the suggestion, but knew that would not go well.

“I don’t generally share this space with anyone else.” I hadn’t meant for my words to be so rough, but it was difficult to keep an even tone when my focus kept digressing back to her smooth legs. My hands were too dirty for the likes of them, but that didn’t stop me from fantasizing about touching them anyway. Even the pale pink polish on her toes caught my attention. There was a quiet beauty in that color that seemed different from the Sasha before.

I knew she’d played her part at the poker club well, but beneath that act laid a bold woman. And pale pink had never been the color of choice for her toes.

Thank fuck I didn’t have to admit to anyone else the extent of information I had memorized about this woman. No one else needed to know I’d gone from boss/employee to obsessed stalker in about two point three seconds flat. Nor did I want to explain why I’d taken to using my hand to slake my needs instead of finding a willing woman.

“Well, I definitely appreciate you sharing it with me,” she said quietly as she approached the steps. “Is it already hot?”

I nodded. “Yes, I keep it at the ready at one hundred and five degrees at all times. But I can turn it down if you’d like.”

“I’m starting to have second thoughts. The doctors did say the new skin would be sensitive to temperature and I didn’t think to ask about soaking in water.”

“Fuck,” I said, fishing my hands through my hair. “I should have thought of that.”

“Why? I didn’t exactly share any of what my doctor said to me. You aren’t a mind reader.”

“It makes fucking sense. I should have had Jeanne over here today to assess your situation and give me a report. I don’t want to fuck this up.”

She moved closer and touched my arm. “You’ve done more than anyone else would have, and it’s more than enough. I’ve had some time to think and if you really are okay with me staying here for a little while, I’d like to find something to do. If I can get back to work in some capacity, I can start adding to my savings. It shouldn’t take me long to have enough and then I won’t be a burden anymore.”

“Enough for what?” I asked, not liking the turn of this conversation at all.

“What?” She blinked up at me, confusion and whatever thought process she had going on clouding her eyes.

“You said it shouldn’t take you long to have enough. Enough for what?”

“Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Enough to put myself back out there. Move on. Find a new job and a place to live.”

Just the idea that she wanted to leave as soon as she could pissed me the fuck off. It took herculean effort on my part not to explode in anger. I don’t know why she made me so angry, butI did know that if I didn’t tread carefully, not only was I being a colossal dick, but she’d run like a jackrabbit.

Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the chase.

“You don’t want to stay with the club anymore? I thought you liked it here.”

“I did. I mean—I do. But…it’s just-it’s different now. I—my body…”

“Is as beautiful as ever.” I knew she wouldn’t believe me. Not as long as I could hear that pain and doubt in her voice. While I’d known to expect this, it still hurt like hell to see one of the most upbeat people I’ve ever met look so downtrodden.

She looked up at me like I was stupid or something a moment before she shook her head. “Don’t do that. We can’t pretend that what happened doesn’t affect my ability to work for the club in the same capacity as before.”

“I’m not fucking pretending,” I bit out.

“Well, you’re not being realistic either,” she fired back.

“Bullshit. You think that scar on your face is going to somehow make you less of a hostess at the casino? Trust me it won’t.”

“The casino isn’t even open,” she countered. “And I’m not sure when it does reopen if I can go back.”

My shoulders slumped in defeat. How could I argue with that? If being here made things harder for her…

“Maybe Patty could help.” The minute I said those words, I wanted to take them back. It seemed no one in my club liked it being suggested they should talk to a therapist.

“Fuck you. I shouldn’t have said anything. Or even come out here. I’m going back to my room.”

---