Page 40 of Broken Rules
“Hey…can I talk to you for a minute, Kylo?”
“Sure, what’s up?”
I step forward and stop at the side of his desk, trying my hardest not to look Lennox’s way, though I feel those golden eyes on me. “I may be overstepping, but I don’t know who else to ask.”
“Okay, how can I help?”
“I have a gig in Vegas, and I need to bring private security. Is there any way I can hire Adam for New Year’s Eve?”
Kylo straightens up, his brows pushing together. “I’m sorry, but I can’t at this moment.”
Damn, I was hoping he’d say yes.“Okay, thank you. I understand it being last minute and all—”
“I’ll go with you,” Lennox says, and I finally look at him as he stands from his seat.
Why would he offer to come with me?“No thanks.” I turn to leave, stopping by the burn his touch causes when Lennox takes hold of my hand.
“Hey, it’ll be strictly a business trip. I promise.”
I’ve never been more confused about a man in my life. Does he still like me? Want to be friends? Fuck buddies? I sigh, crossing my arms, hating that I have nobody else to ask. “Fine. Let’s go talk.”
Turning to leave, I can feel him on my heels without looking back, and his arm brushes mine when he passes by, walking toward the back door. We pass Sadie setting plates on the island with sandwiches and step onto the deck. Kylo draws her close, and I can’t help feeling envious of how easily they share and express their intimacy.
When Lennox and I meet the fork, and he continues toward his place, I stop walking. “We can talk here,” I say, and he turns around halfway, strolling back.
“Sure.”
I want to talk about why he’s ghosting me, but the words are stuck in my throat. Instead, I pull out my phone. “What’s your number? Send me your info so I can text you the flight details.”
“What time do you need to be in Vegas? I’ll take care of the tickets, Peaches.”
That name hits me harder than it ever has before. “No, you’re not buying them.”
He sighs, gesturing for my phone, and his fingers brush my hand as he takes it from me, typing in his number. “At least let me buy my own.”
“Fine. I’ll send you the flight information.”
Lennox takes hold of my hand as I turn to leave. “Hey, are you okay?” he asks, rubbing his thumb across the back as he draws me closer, staring into my eyes. “Would you like to come inside for a bit?”
I search through those beautiful hues, wanting to get lost in them while running far away.
Am I okay?
“Yeah. I’m okay. I should get going. See you on Tuesday.”
With that, I drop his hold, leaving back to my car, home, and Vivid. Wash, rinse, repeat as the next few days pass, only I make sure not to look around for him whenever I’m here—getting back into a routine, numbing myself deep to the bone because pleasure has to be work, never personal.
No more distractions.
Tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve, and I’ve been putting off telling Gin I won’t be coming in—there’s no way I’m going to Jared. Throwing on a robe, I head out to the bar. Gin is finishing up an order as Anna takes the platter to VIP. I’ve been good to avoid this area, but Lennox isn’t seated there anyway. Maybe he decided he’s had enough of Vivid. I wouldn’t blame him if he did.
“Hey, you got a minute?” I ask, and Gin looks at me, filling a tall glass under the tap.
“Yeah, make it quick. I got tickets almost out the door.”
Just come out with it.“I’m taking off tomorrow.”
Her head snaps to me. “What?—Not a fucking chance!” Roni and Gin say simultaneously, unsure how long Roni was nearby.
