Page 73 of A Little Broken

What the hell?

Arms crossed, he stares at us.

Okay, this is bad. This is really bad. But also, what the hell?

What. The. Hell?

21

TATUM

Nausea swirls in my stomach, my mouth open like a gaping fish as I attempt to piece together exactly what’s happening and why the one man I don’t want to see is currently watching me—half-naked-–in a hot tub with a guy who picked me up at a bar.

“Wait— I didn’t— What are you doing here?” I ramble. Seriously? Am I hallucinating or?—

“Pretty sure I could ask you the same question.” Paxton looks at Roman. “You can go. Thanks.”

“Thanks?” I murmur under my breath. Something definitely isn’t adding up, but I’m too blindsided to piece anything together. The sooner I get out of here, the better, and since Roman’s my ride, it seems I need to get my ass in gear and follow him before he leaves me in the dust.

Gentleman, my ass.

I press my hands to the edge of the hot tub, preparing to climb out, when Paxton’s calm voice cuts through the silence. “Not you, Birthday Girl.”

I scoff and continue my retreat.

“Not if you want to keep your job,” he adds.

My muscles freeze.

Shit.

This is his house. He’s the friend Roman mentioned. Which means, I’m his maid, and he’s my boss.

Shitty, shit, shit, shit.

“Nice meeting you, Tatum,” Roman says as he leaves me alone with the one man I really shouldn’t be left with.

Mind still reeling, I stare at my hands pressed against the hot tub. I’m shaking. And I really hope he doesn’t notice.

Lie. Lie. Lie.

What kind of lie could I say right now to get me out of this?

Think, think, think, Tate. Think!

My eyes stay glued to my hands pressed against the edge of the hot tub, my body warring with itself as if the options of fight, flight, or fawn are about as complex as calculus. I need to get out of here. But if I do, will I lose my job? And who’s to say Pax really has any say in my employment anyway? He could be lying, he could be?—

Something soft hits the ground behind me. It’s followed by a wave of hot water hitting my back, and I turn around, deciding it’s better to face the asshole head on. There he is. Paxton Six. A very naked Paxton Six. His clothes are gone. Scratch that. They’re a small heap of fabric on the patio.

My gaze shoots back to Pax. “W-what are you?—”

“I’m enjoying my hot tub,” he answers. “I think the real question is, what areyoudoing here?”

He doesn’t look pissed, but he doesn’t look too happy, either. He looks…distant, despite being two feet away from me. I wish I knew him better. So I could read him easier. So I could know if he’s going to call the cops on me for trespassing, or get me fired, or…something.

“I…” I gulp. “I’m…also enjoying your hot tub?”

His mouth twitches as his eyes fall to my chest. “I can see that.”

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