What the fuck is wrong with me? I clear my throat and try again. “What’s your name?”
“Lux.” She smiles and cocks her head to the side like we’re old friends. “You?”
“I’m Bastian.” I hold out my hand because I’m used to introducing myself that way, but really what I want to do is hug her.
“Oh, like short for Sebastian?”
“Kind of. It’s just Bastian, though. I think my mom thought it would make me seem tough.” She puts her hand in mine, and she’s so soft and warm. When was the last time I felt something this soft? Maybe never.
“Nah, not with that smile.” She squeezes my hand and then lets it go like we didn’t just share the most important moment in my life.
“Anyway, I need to get back to the kitchen.” She points her thumb over her shoulder and begins to back away.
“Maybe I should wait here,” I offer as I straighten. “Just in case.” I reach down and grab the tray she was holding and see there’s already someone from the cleaning crew coming down the hall.
“You can be my personal safety net.” She winks before she turns around and walks away.
“Fuck me,” I whisper.
“Excuse me, sir?” the cleaner asks, and I shake my head.
“I said thank you.” And then I bend down to help him clear up the spilled tray.
Chapter Five
Lux
Was I flirting with him? What the heck has gotten into me? I’m working at a job that I need to keep. This one is paying out the ass, which it should be since we have to wear these ridiculous outfits.
Bastian caught me completely off guard when I fell into his arms and even more so by how charming he was. For one brief moment I thought the world stopped and it was only the two of us staring at each other in that dark hallway.
I hurry to the back because I need a moment of space to get it together. These freaking heels don’t make it easy, and on top of that my heart is racing. The feel of his hands on me still lingers. There was no way he was just being polite, not with that smile. Excitement bubbles up inside of me at the possibility, but I shake the thought.
He was only being nice, and I’m sure part of him felt sorry for me. Compared to all the other women, I stand out and not only because I’m wobbling around in heels. Still, he is different from the rest of the men I’ve seen here tonight. The biggest difference being he isn't old enough to be my grandpa. He also didn’t have a bunny in his lap until I threw myself at him.
“Again?” I come up short before pushing open the back door to the kitchen. Matthew is staring at my empty tray with a look of irritation on his face.
“I’m sorry. I’m normally great with a tray, but these shoes are throwing me off.” The outfit too, but I don’t say it because I don’t want him to hear me complain. Or draw attention to it. I’m still surprised they were able to get the thing on me, but it did take two of the girls to zip me up. And if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, everyone keeps looking at me like they’re just as shocked as I am it hasn’t burst open.
“If it happens again, you’re out for the night.” I nod in understanding as he steps out of the way so I can go into the kitchen.
“He’s a dick.” Ella winks at me as she walks by, obviously having heard Matthew and me.
I’m jealous of how easily she can walk in her heels. She was one of the girls to help me get into my uniform when almost everyone else turned their noses up at me. I heard one call me a country bumpkin.
“Hey, new girl,” one of the other bunnies calls. She’s leaning up against the counter as one of the cooks fills her tray with appetizers. “Let me give you some free advice. Stick to the older ones.” Her eyes sharpen as she raises her chin. “But stay clear of mine.”
I’m not sure which one was hers, but that’s not going to be a problem at all. “Thanks,” I say, because I have no idea how else to respond to that. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, and speaking of toes, mine might fall off.
This night is never going to be over, and my feet are throbbing. I set my tray down in front of the cooks like they showed us earlier and wait for it to be filled again.
I knew this was a bad idea when we were lined up for inspection and told to flirt with the clients. If we’re invited to sit or have a drink, we’re to do it and make sure they enjoy our company. I haven’t been able to make a full circle on the floor because of my awful heels so I guess that’s lucky for me. It would be nice to sit down for a few minutes, so I wouldn’t mind if Bastian asked.
He must have shown up late because I hadn’t seen him before my fall. But once I took in his appearance I could tell he was different from the rest of them. The air around him felt charged, and I was drawn to him. They don’t make men like Bastian where I’m from. He’s not rough and gritty, but more like sharpened stone. His suit was polished and put together, but I could feel there was something hard and solid underneath.
“Yo, chubby bunny. Your tray’s done.”
“Fuck off, Jeremy,” one of the other bunnies says before I can even respond to the prick. I’d like to tell him to fuck off too, but he’s honestly not worth the time.
When I take the tray and walk out of the kitchen, I can’t help looking around hopefully to see if Bastian is still there. When he’s not, I’m disappointed but try to shake it off.
With my shoulders back, I circle around the room slowly, trying to keep my balance. Out of the corner of my eye I see him again, but the excitement dies when I see he’s already had his attention captured. I should have known, but my dumb heart sinks when I see he’s got two bunnies next to him. They’re both beautiful, but all of the bunnies working are.
So much for him being my safety net. A man is nice to me for two seconds and I think he might be hitting on me. I’m such a dumbass. This place is crawling with beautiful women, why would he really settle for me when he could have the whole room?
“What do we have here?” An older gentleman walks up beside me and I try not to be startled by his surprise appearance.
It’s then that I notice his eyes aren’t on my tray but all over me. I know I’m practically naked, but he makes me feel like I actually am. When he licks his lips my stomach tightens, and I wish I could take a step back. I also wish I could grab the front of my outfit and pull it up, but I know this skintight costume isn't going to move an inch. At this point it’s fused with my skin, and I’ll have to be buried in it.
“King crab rolls,” I tell him brightly and hold the tray between us. My smile stretches tight, and I pray he takes the hint. What the heck is wrong with these men? Don’t they have granddaughters my age? If my brothers saw me right now they’d burn this place down.
“I was thinking of something sweeter.” He licks his lip again and this time I stand there like a deer caught in headlights.
I want to smack him and my palm is tingling for me to do it. But I’m sure there is some law about assaulting old people that is harsher than a normal assault. I know they said we should be chatty if approached, but I don’t think I can fake the kind of interest they want me to display.