Rural Romance by Alexa Riley
Chapter Seven
Lux
“You better not have ruined this for me.” Scarlett taps angrily on her phone while scolding me like I’m a child. How the heck am I in the wrong here? She freaking screamed, and I'm pretty sure that’s a universal call for help. What else was I supposed to do? “You have no idea how much money those old fucks are worth.”
I actually think I have a pretty good idea with how they were acting. No rules applied to them and their good old boys club. After what I saw tonight, it was more than clear.
Sitting back in my seat, I’m drained and not willing to fight with her. I did my part, and now I’m out of it. I’ll make sure she gets home at least because she might have been drugged or something. I don’t think she’s drunk, but I don’t understand her behavior. She’s clearly not okay, and I think of the times my brother Luca told me the city is filled with crazy people. I’m starting to think he might be right.
“Yes!” Scarlett blurts out, and I see a smile spread across her face.
When I lean over to see what she’s looking at, there’s a video on the screen. My mouth falls open as I watch the whole encounter play back on her phone. Someone must have been recording it for her, because it’s filmed from a distance. Whatever she did it’s going to blow up in that old man’s face because there’s no missing the wedding ring on his finger.
I keep watching as I try to get her to take my coat, but the more I watch, the more my stomach turns. I look away, not wanting to see or hear any more, especially when they ask Bastian to come with them and the other bunnies. I’m disappointed that Bastian would even be associated with people of that caliber. He sure had me fooled, but I should have known better. He was too charming and sweet and a reality that was too good to be true. Lesson learned, even if it was done the hard way.
“Nasty fuckers are going to pay.” Scarlett puts her phone back into her pocket, and I have no doubt she’s planning to blackmail someone.
I think about it for a second, and I don’t even care. I hope they get what they deserve, and I’m glad to be away from it. I still can’t help the heavy feeling in my stomach and how foolish I feel. The city isn’t turning out anything like I thought it would, and I feel more naïve every second I’m here.
Scarlett doesn't even say goodbye when the taxi pulls up in front of her building. She gets out of the car without a word, and I give the driver my address next. Luckily it isn't far, because I need this outfit off of me quickly.
The second I enter the apartment, I’m kicking off my heels and pulling at the bunny costume. I’m a dog chasing my tail as I try to reach the back snaps, but it’s no use. I start to panic, feeling claustrophobic, and I wonder if I’ll ever be able to get this thing off. Tears prick my eyes as I realize I’m going to have to be buried in it because I'll be wearing it for the rest of my life.
“You okay?” I swing around to see Avery standing in the living room and trying to fight a smile. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants, and it’s hard not to appreciate the view. He’s not big and bulky like Bastian but lean and trim.
“You look Photoshopped,” I mumble, not meaning to say it out loud, and he bursts into laughter. His reaction helps me calm down a little, and I let out a long sigh.
“I better, with the time I put in at the gym and the cardboard crap I have to eat.” He comes over to where I’m standing and makes a circle with his finger. “Turn around.”
I do as he tells me and feel instant relief when he pops a few of the buttons. He stops partway down, and I glance over my shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” He’s staring intently at my back.
“Do you have to return this thing?”
“Probably?” What the heck is going on back there?
“The zipper is stuck.” My anxiety starts to rise again, but he must sense I’m close to freaking out. “Fuck it,” he says as he grabs the top and pulls on it in one hard tug.
As material rips, I suck in my first real breath of the night and finally feel relief. “Thank you.” I hold the front of the costume so that it doesn't fall, and take a second to appreciate my ribs moving back into place.
“That’s what roommates are for,” he says as he locks the front door. “I’ve got an early shoot.”
“Night,” I say and I go into my bedroom and finish getting the bunny outfit the rest of the way off of me.
Once I’m out of it, I put on the most oversized pajamas that I have and fall back on my bed in a not-so-graceful plop. I’m exhausted, but sleep doesn’t come quickly as my mind replays every moment of the night.
Even after I go over all of it, there’s one thing I can’t deny. Bastian fills too many of my thoughts.
“From bunny to secretary?” Avery says, walking into the kitchen.
I’m in a pale pink silk top with dark brown wide-leg black pants and flats. My feet still aren’t over Friday night’s heels, and these are the most comfortable shoes I own.
He steals a mini muffin off my plate. and I smack his hand. The little muffin falls to the floor between us and his face crumples.
“Were you even allowed to have that?”
“Nope,” he admits as he picks it up and looks at it longingly before throwing it into the garbage. “But tonight when I get back from the shoot I’m ordering all the pizza.”
“Save me a slice.” I grab another muffin for my plate and take a seat at the small dining room table.
Avery and I actually hung out Saturday night after he got home, and we ended up watching movies together. I think I got lucky in the roommate situation and thankfully he’s pretty low key. He’s serious about both his modeling career and his course work, but I think he’s the only plus so far to this city. I’m not giving up and running back home just yet, but so far I’m having doubts.
“So no costume today?” he asks as he pours himself a cup of coffee.
“Nope. I took it back to the agency yesterday and no one said anything about it. They even emailed me yesterday with a new job.” Either they didn't notice I ruined the suit or didn't care.
“Have you ever thought about modeling?” He tilts his head to the side, looking me up and down in the least sexual way possible.
I snort. “Are you seriously asking me that?”
“Yes, a lot of companies are in the market for curvier women, and it’s hard to find ones to fill the spots. You should check it out.”
“I think I’ll see how this one goes today.”
“It’s only a temp, right?”
“Yeah, but they didn't tell me how long. I know sometimes the companies end up hiring the position permanently if it goes well. The pay looks really good for this job, and it’s only answering phone calls and getting coffee.” I’m way more comfortable doing those things than prancing around in heels. I went to a temp agency because I thought it might be nice to get to try out different things. I have no idea what job might suit me, but I’ve decided animal cocktail waitress isn’t my thing.
“Good luck. I’ll see you tonight,” Avery says before walking out of the kitchen.
After I clean up after myself, I grab my purse to head out. Not wanting to worry about traffic or getting lost, I grab a taxi out front to play it safe. I’ve been doing well with being on time, but part of me wonders how long it’s going to last.
“This is you,” the driver says as the taxi rolls to a stop in front of one of the big skyscrapers downtown.
After I pay and exit, I stand on the sidewalk and stare up at the building. It’s a completely different job than the last one, but I somehow feel like I’ve gotten in over my head again. Everyone entering the building is dressed nicely and looks professional. It’s only answering phones and pushing papers around. It can’t be that hard, and I need to believe in myself.
“ID,” the guard behind the desk says when I enter the building. He holds his hand out, waiting, and I fish it out of my purse. When I hand it over, he scans it then looks up at me to confirm that’s me in the picture. He types something into his computer before he gives me my driver’s license back and then hands over a badge.
“Thanks.” I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with it, but okay. After a beat of silence, he motions to the banks of elevators and then tells me what floor to go to.
On the way up, the elevator stops on almost every floor, and just before it’s my stop, I see one of the older men from the other night step on, and my stomach tightens. What are the odds that this guy works here? I keep my head down, and luckily he gets off on the next floor. I think about the video Scarlett took and I wonder if it’s gotten out yet. Maybe it never will if he pays her off.
When the doors open for my floor, I’m the only one left on the elevator. I step out and then look up and down the long hallway, not seeing anyone. Shouldn't there be a desk or someone to greet people as they enter? In the distance I hear someone typing and walk toward that noise. When I turn the corner, I see an older woman sitting behind her desk, and as if she’s been waiting for me she looks up.
“You must be Lux,” she says.
“That’s me.” My smile is genuine because she kind of looks like my grandma on my father’s side, which has me relaxing.
“I’m Kate.” She returns my smile. “This desk will be yours.” Katie stands and motions to the desk not far from hers. I put my purse down on it and look around.
“Mr. Starnes has a lot going on right now. He has a project he needs to hand off to me, so I need you to carry some of my load and do any odds and ends he might need you to handle.”
“Okay, just tell me what to do and I’ll get started.”
“Katie, can you send Miss Cross into my office?” a deep voice says from a speaker somewhere on her desk.
Goosebumps break out along my arms because that voice is so familiar.
“That’s you.” She points to the double door to the right of my desk.
Taking a breath, I walk over and knock softly before I pull open the door and step inside.
“Mr. Starnes, you wanted to see me?” The office is large and I step forward to get closer to the desk. Just as I do, the chair turns around to face me and I stand there in shock when I realize who it is.
Bastian
