Page 11 of Undercover Desires

“Tomorrow won’t be as manic, if you’re coming back?” Xavier reassures me.

I nod with determination. “I’ll be back, my friend. For the most part it was fun.”

“Good,” she says with a nod of approval. “Got to admit, when I saw you last night, I didn’t think you would last. You surprised me.”

“Thanks, I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should, she doesn’t give ’em out often,” Shelby says.

I shift my attention to her. “Thanks for your help, Shelby. See you tomorrow.” Then I wave her off as I make my way back to the staffroom. They’re both so kind, and they made tonight easy, unlike someone else who tried his hardest to put me off. What is his problem? He gave me the position; doesn’t he want me to stick around and do a good job?

I quickly change out of my work uniform, leaving it to be laundered. I’m relieved to slip back into my street clothes and comfortable flat shoes, massaging my feet as I do. They’re killing me. A couple of other girls are changing at the same time, and I smile toward them. They look me over with curiosity but stay down the other end of the room chatting to each other.

I check my reflection in the little mirror and redo my ponytail, then I grab my handbag and walk back through the staffroom, taking an apple from the fruit bowl as I do. I didn’t get much of a chance to eat tonight, and the food situation at home is slim pickings. I might as well take advantage of the food on offer here.

As I open the door to the staffroom, I bite into the apple and jump in surprise when I find Kobe leaning casually against the adjacent wall. He looks relaxed, as though he’s been waiting for me for a while. I choke down the first bite, then swallow, continuing to walk past him.

“How did your first shift go?” he asks, following me, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

“Fine. Except for the asshole at booth ten who kept expecting me to spoon-feed him his drink,” I snip, too tired to deal with any more Kobe Rivera for tonight. Xavier is right, he’s a character like I have never met before.

He throws his head back and bursts into laughter, dramatically, like I’m the funniest person ever. “Maybe tomorrow, I’ll actually have you spoon-feed me. That could be a lot of fun,” he teases, and I can see he’s really imagining it.

I shoot him a warning look that I hope clarifies that such a scenario is not on the table. My coldness toward him doesn’t deter him, and he falls into step beside me. He must be determined to keep annoying me.

“You have quite the reputation,” I mutter, unimpressed and ready to have it out with him over it. Someone has to protect these girls.

He smirks cheekily. “You can’t believe everything you hear, sweetheart,” he says casually.

“Somehow, I have a feeling this reputation is well-deserved,” I counter, wanting to push him on it. I don’t know why it’s irritated me so much, but it has. Xavier’s words from earlier have crawled under my skin.

“Maybe,” he concedes, “but I always think it’s best to let someone show you who they are.”

I’m nearly at the back door when I turn back to him. Examining him, I wonder who he really is. He smiles at me, all charming, his dark eyes alight with a spark of energy that intrigues me. “What are you doing?” I demand, wondering why he’s pursuing me.

“Walking you to your car,” he replies nonchalantly. “Every staff member gets an escort.”

“Oh. Well, I’m good, thanks. I don’t need it,” I mutter nervously, not wanting him to follow me outside. I don’t have a car for him to accompany me to, to begin with. My plan was to walk home the same way I got here.

“Not negotiable.” He pushes open the heavy back door, holding it open for me to pass by him. “Remember our chat earlier?”

“Okay, well, you saw me out. You can run back to your little date now.” I shoo him off.

“Which one is yours?” He motions to the parking lot.

I sigh heavily. The chill of the outside air sends an icy shiver over my skin, so I throw my leather jacket on. Glancing over at the row of parked cars, I point to one at random. “The black Jeep,” I lie through my teeth.

He raises an eyebrow. “Er, wrong. Try again, babydoll.”

Damn, how did he know? I roll my eyes in frustration. “Fine, I was planning to walk home. I don’t have a car at the moment, but I’m not far from here, and it’s a simple walk.”

His expression tightens and his fists clench. “Then you’re dumber than you come across. This neighborhood is no place for a girl like you to be walking home at nearly midnight. I’m driving you.”

“What?” I stammer, mortified. “No, you’re not. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don’t need you driving me home,” I snap back, determined not to get in a car with him. There is no universe where that is a good idea.

He presses a button on the fob, and the taillights of the black Jeep I pointed at earlier flash. Of all the cars in the parking lot, why did I have to pick his? I slap my forehead and mutter a curse under my breath. It’s just my dumb luck, truly it is.

“Get in the car, Bella,” he insists, his tone firm.

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