Page 32 of Loving Lex

He was oblivious as he led me to the dressing area, his mind clearly stuck back on a phone call he’d taken just before we left the apartment. I’d been in the bathroom, so I hadn’t heard much other than his deep, quiet murmurs, but his mood had gone somber afterward.

He leaned in and kissed me, running a hand down my arm. “Do you know where you’ll be working tonight?”

I shook my head. “No. Though I think Bailey likes me upstairs. I do less damage up there. Why?”

His gaze darted down the hallway as voices filtered our way, then lowered his voice. “Just wondering. A guy might stop by later to talk to me about my brother’s case.”

“Oh.” Unease skittered down my spine at the serious look on his face—like he was putting on his battle armor. “Your military friend?”

He gave a quick wink. “I’ll be working the front tonight.” He leaned down and kissed me soundly, making my head spin and reminding me just how sunk I already was, then drew back to gaze at me with those intense, icy blue eyes. “I’ll check on you later.”

I nodded like a lovestruck mute then watched him walk away, wondering how he’d managed to get under my skin so fast and why I didn’t seem to mind the invasion.

Once he was out of sight, I spun to get ready and hurried out to the floor.

I was right. Bailey assigned me to work the VIP rooms again, but luckily, it was a bachelor party for some rich out-of-towner. The crowd was rowdy, but harmless. I even managed to get through the first half of the night without pissing anyone off or spilling a thing.

At one point, the groom-to-be requested a specialty liquor that wasn’t stocked in the room, so I left Mariah to watch over the partiers while I made a quick trip down to the main bar. She would’ve gone for me, but I had to admit, I kind of wanted to see Lex and celebrate the small victory of my spill-free night and good tips.

Out in the hallway, I turned on my heel when I felt a pair of eyes on me, sure it was Lex, sneaking up on me.

No one.

My smile fell as I realized nobody was there, but the heavy, blanketing feeling of being watched was just as strong. Suddenly, it didn’t feel like Lex at all... it felt creepy. Sinister.

I turned in a circle, searching for whatever it was. Whoever it was. But I was alone.

A light sheen of sweat popped out on my entire body, but I sucked in a breath and decided it must have been my imagination getting the better of me. I hurried to the elevator, figuring I would take the long way to the bar and pass by the front where Lex was working. I suddenly needed to see his face.

My steps slowed when I saw that Sundae was dancing on the floor tonight. Right behind his station.

No.

I shook my head.

I would not go there. I was not a jealous person as a rule, and he’d given no indication he had any interest in Sundae, or any woman. But still. She’d made it very clear she was interested in him, and I’d heard the stories of how she’d pretty much worked her way through every guy on staff... and that was putting it nicely. Lex was just the new guy and obviously next on her list.

You’re the only woman I want... I think you’re the only woman I’ll ever want again...

I let his words reassure me as I strode on with more confidence, even as Sundae caught my eye and narrowed her gaze. I simply smiled and waved.

I peeked through the tiny window on the door to the front security area. No Lex.

I turned with a frown.

Then I caught sight of his dark-blond head in a far corner, sitting at a table with a man and a woman. The man was tall. Even sitting, I could tell he was at least as tall as Lex, and with the lean strength of an athlete. Clearly military, with his neat haircut, intense facial features, and do-not-fuck-with-me body language. Sandy hair, hazel eyes, very sexy, even with his quick smiles for Lex. He sat protectively close to the dark-skinned woman seated next to him, who had long, raven black hair and equally dark, big brown eyes that were currently focused on her man and not on the fruity cocktail in front of her. She was beautiful and curvy but kept it in check in a modest black leather skirt and white silk blouse—at least it was modest for this place. She seemed to sense my stare and met my gaze first, just before Lex.

I didn’t want to intrude, but he waved me over, and I was never more thankful that I’d opted to not go topless tonight and wore a black sequined bandeau top with my ultra-short boy shorts. I still felt incredibly exposed, but at least my tits weren’t bobbing on display when I met Lex’s company.

I walked over with as much confidence as I could and pasted on a smile as I reached his side of the table, pushing aside any weird feelings I’d just experienced. I knew how important this meeting was to him, and I was happy he’d included me.

“Hello.”

He placed a hand to the small of my back. “Guys, this is Shay.” There was a pause and I realized he didn’t know how to label me. Hell, if I did, either. “Shay, this is Lucky, the friend I was telling you about, and his wife, Grace.”

The big man offered his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too.” I turned then to his wife, struck again by her exotic beauty. She’d fit right in at Cameo as a dancer or escort. “Hello.”

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