Page 23 of Craving Danger

Knowing he’s a staff member ofParadisohelps set me at ease, and slowly, the chaotic emotions in my chest fade away until I’m just nervous.

Instead of undressing me with his eyes, like Kevin did, the man just stares at the wall.

He’s bigger than Kevin, and when my gaze moves over his muscled frame, I wonder if he’s the same man I saw the other night.

“Am I allowed to know your name?” I ask, my tone still tense from the little panic attack I had.

He shakes his head. “Unfortunately not.”

Nodding, I ask, “Is it to protect your identity?”

“Yes.” His eyes settle on me, and once again, I’m struck with the weird sensation that I’ve met him before.

His tone is still soft when he asks, “Do you feel better?”

“Yeah. I just didn’t expect…” My hand nervously gestures between me and the bed, “…ah…that to happen.”

“Again, I apologize.”

I nod and glance down at my lap.

Silence fills the air, but this time, it isn’t uncomfortable.

I close my eyes and focus on filling my lungs with deep breaths of air.

This is better.

Maybe it’s because I know he’s an employee of the club and not a member who’s looking to get laid.

“You’re doing very well,” he praises me.

A smile tugs at my mouth. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Only twenty minutes left.”

Curious to hear his answer, I ask, “Don’t you think I’m weird for requesting to sit in a room with a man for an hour and do nothing?”

“From what I witnessed tonight, I think you’re brave.”

His reply has my eyes snapping open and locking on him. “You think I’m brave?”

Still staring at the wall, he nods.

I don’t know a single thing about this man, but his words mean a lot to me.

Feeling a hell of a lot more comfortable with the employee than I’ve felt with any man since I fled Houston, I continue to stare at him.

“Do you like working here?” I ask.

He shrugs, and his tone is still gentle when he answers, “It pays well.”

“You won’t get in trouble for sitting with me, right?”

He shakes his head. “Not at all.”

My teeth tug at my bottom lip, and I wonder if I’m allowed to request to meet with him whenever I come to the club.

It won’t hurt to ask.

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