Rural Romance by Alexa Riley
Chapter Six
Bastian
Idon’t remember the last time I smiled so much, if ever. My life has been one hurdle after another, until I reach my next goal. When was the last time I sat and talked with someone for pleasure, and not because I had to for work? The fact that I can’t recall isn’t surprising, but the fact that I don’t care about anything before meeting Lux is unsettling.
It’s all I can do to sit across from her and not pull her against me or into my lap. Sure it’s happening all around us, and in this corner of the room no one would even see. The thought of getting caught by the board members doesn't scare me because it would probably make them have more respect for me. That thought alone could make my stomach turn, so I don’t dwell on it.
Instead I sit here listening to Lux tell me about her life, her family, and her small town. I’m hanging on every word she has to say, and I’m lost to her laughter. She’s animated as she talks, and in the moments she feels shy, she likes to tuck her hair behind her ear. It’s adorable and driving me insane.
She obviously loves her brothers even if they are overprotective, and I can’t say I blame them. She somehow got herself into a situation like this, living with a roommate she never met all in a short span of time. Lux needs to have someone here in the city looking out for her, and I find that I’ve silently volunteered myself.
Clearly I’m not the best candidate with the hours I work and the responsibilities on my shoulders, but I decide that there’s no one else that would take the job as seriously as I will. I’m having all of these thoughts in my head as the curtain to our booth is pulled back and her boss from earlier—I think his name is Matthew—ducks his head in.
“Looks like the crowd is heading out for the night. Can we get you anything for last call?” He looks at me and then his eyes cut to Lux.
“No, I’m good, thank you.” I realize I never even drank the whiskey sitting in front of me, because I was so focused on Lux. “I’m just going to walk Miss Cross out.”
“Sure thing.” His lips are tight as he steps back, and I help Lux to her feet. “Do you have a coat?” I glare down at her bunny suit that I believe was manufactured with the specific purpose of driving me insane.
“Um, yes. We got dressed here before our shift, but I just planned on covering up until I got home.” She worries her bottom lip, and I have the sneaking suspicion she’s thinking about how she’s going to get herself out of this costume.
“I’ll wait for you out back,” I say and walk her toward the exit. She goes toward the kitchen to grab her things, and I step outside into the cool spring night.
It’s chilly, but when I take a deep breath, it’s refreshing. Something about the night feels different, like I haven’t really paid attention to it before. Are the stars brighter? I blink a few times, and something feels off inside of me, but I can’t place it. I’m warm from the inside out, and the only difference from when I walked in is Lux.
The back door opens, and when she steps out she’s got a coat that covers just enough for her to appear naked underneath. Great, and here I was thinking her outfit couldn’t possibly get any more obscene.
“Can I give you a ride home?” I nod toward my driver on the other side of the parking lot, and she worries that damn lip again. Why is she unsure now that we’re out here and alone? We were less safe in that basement with all those lechers.
Just as she opens her mouth to answer, we both turn to the noise coming from the other side of the parking lot. There are several town cars and a couple of limos parked back here, but I see movement behind a few of them and then a woman cries out.
I rush over, and when I make it to the other side of the car I freeze when I see one of the bunnies from tonight being pinned to a sports car by Stan, one of our board members.
“Hey!” I bark, and they both turn to me in surprise. Stan straightens up and adjusts his tie as the bunny clutches the front of her costume that’s obviously been torn open. I look away to save her the embarrassment and take a step toward Stan. “What’s going on back here?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Bastian. We’re fine.”
“Here, take my coat,” Lux offers, and I see out of my peripheral that she undresses and hands it over to the bunny.
The two of them move out from behind the cars, and I wait a beat before I lean in close to Stan. “What the fuck were you doing with her?”
“Bastian.” A cold chill climbs up my back as the head of the board Richard Seymore steps up behind me. He puts a friendly hand on my shoulder and gives it a light squeeze as he smiles at me and then at Stan. “Looks like Stan here was just having a little fun. Right, Stan?” He raises an eyebrow in question, and Stan hurries to agree.
“You know how these girls are. They’re all hot for it until it’s time to pay up.”
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I’ve got a couple waiting in my car if you want to join us.” He says it to Stan, but he turns to me. “We’re going back to my place. Why don’t you come back for a nightcap, Bastian?”
The implication is clear. I’m supposed to agree to this, and under no terms am I to cause waves right now. The anger I feel right now doesn’t burn like fire, it’s like a hurricane at sea, and it won’t be held back much longer.
I clench my fist and glance over to where Lux is talking to the bunny. I realize they’re arguing. The girl is trying to give Lux her coat back and talking in low whispers. Lux looks defeated, and the girl stares back our way. To my surprise, she glances at Stan and Richard and then stomps away into the night. Lux is left standing there holding onto her coat for only a second until she goes after the bunny.
Before I can stop her, I see the two of them get into the back of a taxi and take off without so much as a goodbye.
“Oh too bad, looks like yours got away too.” Richard's smile is almost evil as he throws his arm around Stan’s shoulder and they make their way to his limo. “Enjoy your evening, Bastian,” he calls over his shoulder as I stand there in the empty lot, feeling like I’m the thing that’s empty now.
