Page 33 of Broken Rules
I blink a few times, glancing around the dressing room before staring into my station mirror, palming the paper dove I received when I was sixteen years old—how something so simple made me smile on a dreadful day. Picking up my phone, I contemplate calling Dad to brighten my night, pressing his number but end the call soon after, not wanting to bother him, especially while I’m here.
“I’m not working with her,” Roni says, walking past me and leaving the room, Julianne staying behind, looking at me.
“What?”
“You know what.”
I sigh. “I could care less if she’s still upset.”
“Evie, listen. I love your spunk, kid, but your careless attitude will only hold you back if you continue expressing yourself that way. Not everyone is against you.”
“Yeah, well, even less are with me.” I place the dove in the corner and stand from my seat. “For the sake of Vivid and everyone else, I’m better off working alone.”
Walking past Julianne, I close my robe and head to the main floor, needing a change of scenery until my next customer comes. I halt my steps and take a deep breath when the man who wrecks my mind, who won’t stay away, walks through Vivid’s front doors.
One look in my direction has my stomach stirring, a mix of needing to run out of here and wanting to stay for whatever request he has for me tonight—his smile quickly determines which direction I take, which isn’t toward the dressing room.
“Dammit.”
TWELVE
ENJOYING THE VIEW?
Evie’s standing by the bar in a red robe, beautiful as hell, even if she looks ready to run the closer I get. Will she give me the time to talk and apologize for yesterday?
“Hey.” She doesn’t acknowledge me, leans her back against the bar, staring across the room, maybe at nothing. “I deserve that.”
My remark gets a smirk from her, which is accomplishment number one. “What do you want, Lex?”
“Let’s take a ride.”
Evie glances at me, this time with her brow raised. “Can’t. I’m working.”
“C’mon, Peaches. You know you want to.” I hold up my keys, finally getting my car back from the shop.
Her eyes narrow at me, then they lift toward the second floor to the office across from the bar. I follow her gaze to a man standing, watching us from the large window is uncanny, and I want to take her away even more.
“I got customers coming soon….” Her voice brings my focus back.
“And they’ll survive one night without nutting. I’d rather youcomewith me.”
She giggles, which is accomplishment number two, and what I love to hear.
Tilting her head to the side, Evie strolls closer, trails her fingers down my arm, and stops at my hand as she purrs, “Hm, you really want me to come?”
Fuck.“More than once.”
My dick takes notice of the way she drags her bottom lip between her teeth, and the result is a smile before she snatches my keys. “Fine, but I’m driving.”
“Uh, no. I just got her back.”
“You want me to come, don’t you?” She twirls a strand of her hair as she turns toward the dressing room, her thin robe barely covering her ass while she walks inside.
“You’re wasting your time.”
Turning to the feminine voice at the bar, I stare at Gin, who’s wiping down the counter. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve been watching you, watching her.” She places a towel over her shoulder and leans on the ledge. “You got relationship vibes written all over you. Sorry to say, but Evie ain’t the one, honey.”
