Page 19 of Undercover Desires

I blink back at him, bewildered. For some reason I feel like that around him a lot. He’s a confusing dude. Did he come back in here to watch me eat? And of course, he catches me deep-throating a banana. I couldn’t have gone for the apple or orange tonight.

I open my mouth and take the last bite of it, then throw the skin in the trash. “Happy?” I say, dusting off my hands.

“Are you, Bella? Did you enjoy wrapping your mouth around that banana?”

The way he says it and the heat flaring in his eyes sends a shiver right through my body. “Sure, it was tasty.” I lick my lips for emphasis, then realize what I’m doing, flirting with him again. I go to walk away from him, needing space before I drop down on my knees and offer to suck his dick instead. I push on the door, about to leave.

“Why did you turn him down? Fifteen grand is a lot of money for a girl in your position.”

I stop dead, still staring at the door. What does he mean by my position? No one in this town knows how truly fucked up my life is. I glance back at him, seeing his smug smirk. He’s trying to get a rise out of me. He doesn’t know anything. I relax a little. “Not enough for some dirty cock that’s been in half the pussies in this place, though, is it, Mr. Rivera.” I fake a smile, hoping he understands my dig directly at him, but I’m just not sure he’s smart enough to. He is the strangest human being I have ever met. I shake my head as I walk away from him, taking my place back behind the bar.

“Nice break?” Xavier asks, leaning up against the counter.

I lean next to her, watching the room around us. They were right, it’s a much slower night. “Umm, strange. Is Kobe all there in the head?” I ask her, really needing to know. Because from what I have seen, something is up with him.

Her lips turn up at the sides. “Normally he’s pretty smart, but maybe he took one too many knocks to the head in training this morning and has a concussion.”

“Training?” I ask, wondering what she’s talking about. Sex training? Surely not.

“MMA, with Jett and Ben.” She points to Ben who’s still sitting at the bar. “Jett’s professional, got a big fight coming up, and Ben’s still learning the ropes. Kobe’s their trainer.” She looks at me like it’s obvious.

Oh, of course, that’s what she meant. I’m such an idiot. Sex on the brain. I remember reading something about his MMA training in my research about the family. “Is he any good?” I ask, more curious than I should be about him.

“Jett? Yeah, he’s amazing. Brutal, but incredible to watch. Come with us to his fight.”

“Maybe.” I shrug, not really interested in Jett. My curiosity was if Kobe was any good. I could see him all sweaty, muscles flexed, beating the shit out of some guy in the octagon. Why I find that hot, I have no idea, but the thought of him doing it is. I glance around the black ceiling, wondering if they are pumping something through the air vents that turns smart girls into sex-crazed bimbos. Because every time I walk in this place, that’s what I feel like.

“So, what’s your deal, anyway? You’re staying here from Australia. With a boyfriend or significant other? Is that why you turned down Mr. Big? You know no one turns down his offers, right, you’re literally the first girl I have ever witnessed doing it.”

“Really?” I ask, surprised. “Have you gone there?”

She slaps her hand on the bar and laughs. “God no. No guy in this place is game enough to ask me. They know I’ll kick ‘em in the balls for less.” She demonstrates her kick.

“Good to know.” I laugh. “Well, hopefully I will get to that point as well. I have no intention of using that room withanyone. And it’s not because I have a guy in my life. I’m very single at the moment, and I intend to stay that way.”

“Bad breakup?” Xavier asks, concern in her eyes.

“The worst,” I reply, my voice heavy with sadness. “It’s been six months, and he’s still calling me, crying to get back with me. I can’t stand it anymore.” My stomach turns at the thought of our conversation this morning. I feel guilty I hung up on him, but I was backed into a corner. There are only so many ways you can politely tell someone it’s over.

“I feel sick for you,” Xavier says, her voice trembling with sympathy, her eyes filled with deep concern. I can see it in her eyes. She’s been hurt too.

“It's serious enough to make me lose interest in men forever, no joke.” I laugh, but there's a hint of sadness in my voice, burdened by the gravity of the situation.

“I hear you, girlfriend. You’re better off avoiding the lot of them if you ask me. More trouble than they’re worth.”

“Are you single?” I ask, wanting to understand her. She’s the coolest chick I’ve ever met. She looks tough on the outside, but there is so much more to her.

“I’m better off alone,” she responds, her voice carrying the weight of past wounds. “Some people just aren’t meant to be partnered up.” I can see the pain etched all over her face, and it breaks my heart. She’s a beautiful, smart, and fun girl, a real catch, but she’s taking herself off the market to protect her heart. Whatever happened to her must have been truly devastating.

“I understand.” I offer a sympathetic smile, knowing that she’s the kind of badass who doesn’t easily accept sympathy. But I really understand. Wyatt has messed with my head so much that I’m not sure I could handle another relationship either. We both go quiet, lost in our thoughts.

“Have you worked here long?” I change the topic, hoping to lighten the mood that’s gotten heavy quickly.

“Since the place opened,” she replies, her voice tinged with gratitude. “These guys are better to work for than the previous owner. They look after us and treat us like family. And since I spend most of my time here and really don’t have any family of my own, it’s nice to have a place to belong.”

“I’ve never really worked somewhere this unique before. It’s going to take a little getting used to,” I admit, still confused by this situation.

“I know from the outside this place is just a club, a place of partying and escape. It might come across as seedy, but the girls who work here all have a story to tell. They have come together out of necessity, but this has become their safe space.”

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