Page 14 of Corrupted Bride

He glances over from his spot at his desk. Some multiplayer game flashes colors all over his computer screen. “Like you’re about to commit serial murders.”

“Hilarious.” I smooth back my hair and check my tight bun. “What happened to showering?”

“Gotta finish this match first.”

“You know what Mom’s gonna say.”

“Yeah, yeah, let her say it.” He grins at me. “Will you bring me coffee when you come home from work later?”

“Only if you promise to actually go to sleep at a normal hour.”

“Cross my heart.”

“Then we’ll see.” I watch him for a minute, a wave of guilt washing over me. Can I really leave Cruz behind? Of everyone in my family, he’s the only one I care about. Mom basically let me raise him and I had to grow up real fast when I had a little brother to handle. We’re close now, and I know it’ll hurt him when I disappear.

He was mad enough the first time.

And now? Will he ever forgive me?

But no, it doesn’t matter. Cruz will be fine. He’s charming, easygoing, everyone loves him, and he’s not stupid enough to get mixed up in family business like Javi.

I leave him to screw around and head to my room across the hall. I finish getting ready for work, studying myself in my full-length mirror, and I’m surprised at the butterflies in my belly. What am I nervous about? It’s Thursday, but so what?

Last week’s encounter with Mr. Bass was…

Something.

Something crazy. Something special.

And sure as hell not something I’ll ever do again.

I got away with it. Sara was oblivious when I got back to the desk. She’s used to me wandering around the hotel doing random tasks and didn’t bother to even check on the excuse I had prepared.

Mr. Bass kept to his room and left early the next morning. We haven’t spoken since.

What did I expect though? Flowers? Chocolates?

It was a one-night stand. Probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done in all my life.

But also one of the best.

I’ve been obsessing about the memory for the past week, running each moment through my mind a dozen times. I’ve gotten myself off thinking about Bass’s touch, his mouth, his big dick between my legs⁠—

And now it’s that time again.

I unbutton the top two buttons of my blouse and bite my lip, checking out the new frilly bra I bought for this occasion.

Black this time.

I cover up and get myself together. There’s no way it’ll happen again, even if Mr. Bass shows. He’s a guest and I have my self-respect. Hector says the papers are coming, so there’s no reason to form any new attachments.

No, that night was one and done.

It’s time to move on.

“That’s what you’re wearing to work?” My mother frowns at me when I enter the kitchen a few minutes later. She’s standing at the window with a cigarette between her fingers and her phone in her other hand, probably scrolling Facebook. An old robe hangs off her skinny frame.

“It’s my uniform. What else am I supposed to wear?”