Page 12 of My Shining Stepbrother

We both walked away, and the tension I felt could be cut with water. We get into his car, and he drives me to work. Both of us stayed quiet during the whole ride there.

We pull into the lot, and I see we are busy tonight. I get out and walk inside but barely have time to breathe and settle in before I’m already getting to work. My time between dances is just as tight as my entrance.

- Reese -

Watching Rose walk into work was painful for me, and I do mean physically. She is the most gorgeous woman I have ever met or even seen in my life. She has no idea what I do for work, and that's for the best.

I have multiple businesses, one of them being the strip club.

I have a manager who acts as the owner to hide my appearance. I also own Raging Ink which is a complete coincidence that she works at both. My main business is the one she can never find out about. It will only scare her away, and that’s the last thing I want.

Deciding that tonight I will work at the club instead of being a patron. I sit in my office, watching her through the dark-tinted window. There is a door that is only accessible from the office, leaving me a way to come and go without being seen.

My manager, Hector, walks in as I’m watching Rose. He takes a seat, but my gaze and attention don’t leave her. I feel this magnet pulling my eyes back to her over and over. Hector clears his throat, and I look his way.

“Reese, two nights in a row. What or who do we owe this pleasure to?” Hector says with a curious tone and gaze.

“I just had work I needed to get done.” I reply in a profound and straight manner.

“Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain Rose that you have been watching this whole time, would it?” He raises a brow before wiggling it.

“I think your age is starting to catch up with you, Hector, because you’re seeing things.” I laugh slightly at my words.

He shakes his head and begins to laugh as well. “Whatever you say. Would you like me to book another dance for you? I can always send her to you again.”

I shake my head, not allowing the tone in my words to give anything away. He sits back in his chair and looks out the window, staring directly at Rose.

“She is truly sexy. I’d love to destroy her if the opportunity arose.” His tone turned dark with desire.

The anger boils inside of me, and I rip my eyes from her to stare at him. My breathing becomes erratic, and my chest heaves as I open it to respond. “That is enough of that shit. You will not fucking touch her. Is that understood?”

This fucking asshole smirks as if he just won the best prize. I would love to knock him out where he sits, but I know I can’t do that. “I knew I’d get it out of you. Now get to work, and I will stop in to see you later.” He says as he stands up from his chair.

He left the office, and as the door closed, I slammed my hands on my desk.

“FUCK!” I yelled out my frustration.

Why can’t she be mine?! Why in the fuck do our lives have to be so damn complicated?!

- Rose -

Once my shift is done, I make my way to the locker room and change into clean, non-sweat-filled clothes. I decide to check my phone for the first time since I called Reese earlier in the night and see several missed calls and text messages. Most of them are from my mom, and a few are from Rachel. I know they are worried and concerned, but I am still too angry to listen or speak to them.

My phone begins to ring as I put on my shoes. After lacing my shoes, I pick the phone up to see Reese's name flash across the screen. I answer it, and he tells me he is outside whenever I am ready. I grab my bag and walk out front telling the others bye as I leave. Getting into Reese’s car, I sit back and let out a big sigh.

“Hey, is everything okay?” Worry fills his words.

I nod my head, but his look tells me I need to speak, or he isn’t going to believe anything. I give in and allow my voice to murmur. “Yeah, I just need some sleep.” I turn my body to face and look out the window.

“Rose, look at me for a minute, please. I can see something is wrong so please look at me.” He asks with panic filling him. Jesus, can’t I do anything, right?

“Reese, I’m really fine, just exhausted. It was a wild night, and my feet hurt.” I beg him to believe me with not only my voice but with my face. He has already listened and helped me more tonight than any other person in my life ever has.

He lifts his hand and cups my cheek. Sparks of electricity flow through me by his touch, and I feel myself sinking. I just want to be in his arms and feel safe. He makes me feel like nothing can ever happen to me as long as I am with him.

“My dad called me earlier to ask if I have seen you. I told him I was taking care of you tonight. I’m not sure if he told your mom, but I think maybe you should call her and hear her out.”

I nod and reach for my phone breaking our connection, losing the electricity in my body. I call my mom, and she answers on the first ring. I put it on speaker to have a witness to her words. Reese nods to let me know he is listening.

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