Page 71 of Filthy and the Beast

“Damn.” Ares nods calmly while the chaos continues around us. “You’re good.”

I’m stressed the fuck out is what I am. My heart pounds, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up straight. Everyone wants something from me at once.

“Thanks.” I remove my glasses and clean them. “Is it like this all night?”

“Pretty much.” Without breaking eye contact, Ares grabs a key from under the counter and hands it to a leather daddy. “You’ll get used to it. And I’ve got good news.”

“What’s that?”

“Your friends showed up. They’re in the Rose Room.”

Blinking, I put my glasses back on. “Really?”

“Five minutes.” He turns back to the bar. “Give your feet a rest.”

I practically sprint, first to the bathroom and then to the Rose Room. It’s a private area in the rear of the club, accessible through a discreet entrance no one else uses. Specifically to afford famous people a way to access the space without getting their sex lives exposed, Ares was nice enough to let me know about it after he realized who my friends were.

I throw open the door. The whole group is there. Fox and Owen are sprawled together on a black leather couch, Nico and Shadow sit on a velvet bed, and Reggie and Everett stand by the small bar, Reggie’s arms wrapped around his husband from behind. Neon roses cover the wall, illuminating the place with a dim glow, and everyone’s dressed up for the night out.

“Holy shit. I’m so glad to see you all.” I collapse on a couch. “No one ask me for anything for five minutes.”

Reggie laughs. “Sounds like you’re a bartender all right.”

Fox raises his cocktail. “He means congratulations, by the way.”

Talking at once to compliment me, everyone raises their drinks, and I laugh. “Thank you, thank you.” I’m too tired to stand and bow.

Everett grabs me a bottle of water from the bar. “How is it going?” He tosses it my way.

I duck, letting it hit the wall behind me, then grab it from the ground. “It’s fucking stressful.” Pulling my phone out, I look at the time. “I already only have two and a half minutes until I’m needed back at the bar.”

“Did you pee yet?” Reggie asks. “Don’t forget to pee.”

“He’s not going to forget to pee,” Fox grumbles.

“Are you having any fun?” Nico asks. “Are you getting to talk with strangers like you wanted?”

“There’s an endless stream of interesting people, and I make efficient use of the twenty seconds I get with each of them.” I sigh. “It’s almost fun, I guess. And screw modesty—I’m very good at this job.”

“Hell yeah,” Shadow says approvingly.

“It’s just stressful!” I peer around at everyone, happily coupled up. Maybe it’s the exhaustion of the job, crashing from the adrenaline, but I really wish Enzo were here, too. If I could cuddle him for five minutes, I’d probably feel totally rejuvenated.

My heart aches, wanting him.

“It might get less stressful over time,” Owen offers helpfully.

Nico nods. “An adjustment period, right? And if it’s not the right fit, you can always leave.”

I bite my lip. That’s true, but only because of my job with Enzo.

Ever since I escaped that mugging, denying how strong our connection is has been harder. The thought keeps troubling me, though: wanting something more risks our current thing. Before me, Enzo’s only ever been a straight man. And while I know more about him every day, a heavy door in the middle of the house reminds me there are limits.

If I’m going to say I’m interested in something more, I need to make sure I’m in the right position. I need to be standing on my own, not relying on him for my employment and housing.

And not simply for my own pride, either. Realistically, I need to be prepared for him to say no. If he rejects me, I’d never be able to stay in his house. It would hurt too much.

I shake my head. The tips at this job are too good. I could support myself through school while working here. If I’m going to risk it all and ask Enzo to be my boyfriend, I need a good backup plan.

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