Chapter 7

It seemsto be like another world behind these curtains. There’s a loveseat on one end of the wall and then an L-shaped booth with a table on the other wall. The curtains are the only thing separating us from the rest of the club.

“Sit,” I say to him, pointing to the loveseat.

“Yes, ma’am,” he chuckles, and it doesn’t do me any good.

I want to jump his bones, and I have to control myself. What the hell is going on with me?

He sits on the loveseat, almost taking up the damn cushion before he scoots over a little to allow me to sit. I take a seat gingerly and play with my hair for a moment, nerves suddenly taking over.

There’s a moment where he’s lifting a hand to his mask, and I gasp, raising my hands.

“You don’t have to take it off, not right now,” I tell him.

He looks at me for a moment before he scratches underneath the mask. Oh.

“Wasn’t planning to do that so early on,” he laughs. He places an arm over the back of the loveseat, and his hand is over my shoulder. I lean into it and watch his eyes watch me.

My heartbeat increases by the second, and I’m not sure if I’ll survive even this private small talk.

Get to it!The devil on my shoulder screams at me.

“So,” we both say at the same time. I zip my lips and smile, holding back a laugh.

He clears his throat and flashes his smile. “What’s your name? I never got it. And I didn’t want to bother any of the other girls with it. Not even sure if they’d give me the real one or a nickname, which I don’t mind at all. But calling you over with a name you don’t recognize would be rather awkward.” He rambles for a little before I giggle.

“It’s fine. And yeah, with members, I’ve found that a nickname helps before we really get to know each other. I’ve had—” I almost start to mention Reeve, but I stop myself. Snakebite gives me a look of curiosity before I shake my head and continue, “I let members call me Rosemary.”

“Like the seasoning?” It’s a genuine question on his part, but nonetheless, it makes me giggle again.

“Yes. Like the plant.”

He nods. “Rosemary,” he says out loud and slowly. For some damn reason, that makes my skin prickle up in goosebumps.

Holy shit.

“Yours? Or what would you like me to call you? I’ve got one nickname already, though.”

His eyes widen for a moment before he chuckles. “Dime.”

I bite my lip for a moment before I smile and lean in closer. He does the same. His brown eyes are studying me. And not just my own eyes. But my whole face. His stare makes my whole body burn, and I inch a little closer on the loveseat until my knees brush up against his thigh.

“Snakebite,” I finally breathe out.

He looks stunned for a moment before he looks up at the ceiling and then laughs. “Because of my drink?”

I nod. “That’s what I usually do if I don’t get a member”s name. I just call them their drink order. Or their seat number for the night.”

He watches me explain, and there’s a smile that reaches his eyes. “I’m glad I stayed long enough to get to know your name, even if it’s not your real one.”

My cheeks warm and it’s harder to take my next breath.

“So, your name?” I ask.

He’s quiet for a moment, and my chest tightens. Am I doing something wrong? Does he regret being in this room with me? Is this outfit not right? I knew I should’ve eaten less this morning or went for a walk. I was so busy with?—

“I kind of like snakebite now that I’m thinking about it.” He interrupts my racing thoughts, and I look at him, amused.

“Really?”

He nods and smiles, leaning in a little more and brushing his thumb over my shoulder. It’s delicate, and I want him touching me all night.

“Well, then. I’ll call you that.” My eyes don’t leave his until he’s pulling back to relax on the couch.

A hint of doubt fills my brain, but I push it aside. Small talk was much easier outside on the main floor, where there were distractions and things for me to look at. In this small space, there’s only him to look at.

He watches me for a moment, and I study the mask that adorns his face. I trace the pattern with my eyes, and he seems to do the same until his gaze falls on my outfit and the garter I’ve come to really like wearing. Around him, specifically.

“This,” he says, leaning over and hovering a hand over the garter. He lifts his gaze to mine, and I nod.

He presses his palm over my thigh. His hand is so huge it practically engulfs my thigh, causing a shiver to run down my body. I practically melt under his touch. His fingers play with the garter for a moment, and I hold my breath.

“So, what might make you stay… or leave?” I push out, exhaling loudly.

He doesn’t stop playing with the garter when he looks up at me through long lashes. We’re inches apart, but I want to be nose to nose. I lean in a little and rest my arm over his on the back of the loveseat. I let my fingers play with the fabric of his dress shirt. Let my hand run over the smooth ridges of the muscles underneath. I revel in the feel of him even though I don’t even know who this stranger is.

“Do you want the unvarnished truth?” he whispers.

I nod a little too eagerly, and he chuckles before continuing, “I’ve got some meetings with clients that may or may not end well.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, looking at him intensely.

His fingers fumble a little more with the garter. “If they want me to work for them, then that’s great. But I’ve got a life in another city. I’m not so sure if I can leave that all behind.”

He’s not looking at me anymore. He’s keeping his gaze focused on where his hand is, and I can tell he’s lost in his thoughts.

“It would be temporary, right?”

He shrugs and continues to focus on the garter. “Yeah, it could very well be. But I’ve never lived outside of my hometown. I travel a lot, but living in another city–let alone New York City–would be new for me.”

“It’s not as scary as it seems,” I assure him. I think back to my transition from living in Sunny Cove to New York City. It was hard but manageable. It made me grow thicker skin, and I learned a lot about myself.

“Yeah? Are you from a different town, too?” He seems genuinely interested and looks at me like I’m a lifeline. Like the next few words will make or break him.

It’s just occurred to me now that we’re having such a vulnerable conversation. We’re not doing small talk anymore. It’s like he’s waiting on advice for a huge life-altering decision. No pressure.

I nod. “Yeah, a few states away, actually.”

“Hmm,” he says softly.

“It was a hard time at first,” I admit. “But I really like living here. I knew I wanted more than just some small-town life where everyone knew everybody. I like going out into the city and meeting new faces every day.”

He smiles sheepishly. “You sound just like someone I know.”

“Yeah?” I watch him deep in thought. Is he talking about an ex?

“Yeah,” he whispers. “Small town, moved to a big city. But she seems to be thriving, and I envy that.”

“Does she happen to be in this city?” I ask slowly. I’m not sure why I’m starting to feel a hint of jealousy. Maybe he’s trying to get over her and came here with his friend to take his mind off her?

My mind continues to think about the possible scenarios when he snaps the garter on my thigh, and I squeal, moving my free hand over his and pressing his palm down.

“What was that for!?” I ask, watching as his eyes turn from curious to amused.

“Just wanted to bring you back to this room. You seemed to be elsewhere.”

I bite my lip and shrug. “Can’t help it.”

He digs his fingers into my thigh for a moment, causing indents, and I revel in the feeling. I release my grip on his hand before looking back at him.

“It just seems so odd for me,” he continues. “I’m forty years old and terrified of moving to a new city for a few months. Is that crazy?”

I shake my head. “Not at all. My family has lived in the same town all their life. My mom moved out a few years ago. She was terrified, but it was the best for her.”

I’m not sure why I just delved into that part of my life with this stranger. But his aura feels secure, like I could trust him with this information.

“Hmm,” he murmurs. “But it’s also freaking me out that I want that chance.”

“To live here?”

He nods. “Yeah. Everything in me is screaming that this is the right thing to do. The right step for my future. But how can I leave everyone behind?”

“Sometimes you have to rip the bandaid off. It’ll sting, but they’ll understand. Plus, you deserve to do this for yourself, right?”

He takes my words slowly and then gazes at my lips. “Yeah, you’re right.” He then looks at his watch before cursing under his breath.

“You have to go?” I ask, releasing my arm from his on the back of the loveseat. He rubs the garter once more before lifting his hand. I miss his touch almost instantly.

“Yeah, I’ve got a meeting with that client in an hour.”

“This late at night?” I raise a brow.

He chuckles. “Would you be surprised that one of the possible clients is from this club? We’re meeting at the bar upstairs.”

My thoughts go to Reeve instantly. My smile drops. “No, I didn’t expect that.”

I can feel my mood change. I don’t really care if the client of his might be Reeve, but I want to move on from him. I want to find someone with no ties to my previous partner. But I don’t think it would make any sense to Snakebite if I explained that. It seems too childish and too outlandish to get to this conclusion.

“I really enjoyed this tonight, Rosemary,” he says before standing. I get up as well, and he’s adjusting his mask and rolling down his sleeves. He’s struggling a little to rebutton them at the cuffs, so I help.

“Here, I’ve got them,” I whisper before buttoning the two on one side and then the other two on his other wrist.

We lock eyes once I’m done, and he’s silent for a moment.

“Gracias, ángel.”

“De nada, sir,” I say before his pupils seem to enlarge. I take a step back to let him leave the space.

He gives me one more look before moving the curtain, and the club music instantly fills the space. I jump a little at the sudden noise, forgetting where I am.

“You coming?” he asks, holding onto the curtain for me to pass.

I nod. “Yeah, thank you.”

We walk out of the area, and he’s instantly putting his hand on the small of my back as we make our way to the front of the club. I glance quickly at the bar where Evan is, and he’s already staring, lifting his hands to give me a little clap. I roll my eyes and laugh.

Once we’re near the entrance that leads back to the bar upstairs, he turns to look at me. It feels like the bubble we’ve been in the last hour has popped, and I’m back to reality. Back to being Rosalía and having to dodge River’s order to be more active in the club.

But at least I did a private curtain room with a member. She’d eat that up.

“So,” he starts. “I’ll see you around?”

I smile. “Sure, Snakebite.”

“Is it weird to ask the next night you’ll be working?” He plays with the collar of his dress shirt. He seems nervous.

I reach for his arm and rub it as softly as I can. He seems to relax with that. “I’ll be here in two days. You’ll do amazing with the client, I’m sure. Go secure that future in NYC.”

My tone is joking, but I’m serious. I like talking to him, and I hope he stays for a little longer. Even if it’s a few more weeks.

He smiles before reaching for my chin, and I instantly still. But I don’t step back or slap his hand away. His touch is soft and so, so warm. I want more. His thumb caresses my cheek before lingering close to my lip.

“Thanks, ángel. I’ll report back in two days,” he smiles.

Without another second, he turns and disappears down the hallway that leads to the stairs.

I feel dumbstruck and frozen in place before another song kicks into the speakers, louder than the last. It jolts me out of place, and I press my lips together. I walk back to the bar where Evan is eagerly waiting.

“So?” His brows wiggle while he’s flashing a bright smile.

“He’s nice,” I tell him, hopping on a stool.

“Really? He didn’t try to go against all the rules and bone you right there?” Evan jokes. He knows that security would’ve been all over that if it did happen.

“He’ll be back for my next shift,” I blurt. My cheeks warm, and Evan catches it.

“He’s dreamy, and you’re dreamy. The perfect dreamy match,” he almost sing-songs.

I roll my eyes. “Shut up.”

“Just accept the compliment, or I’ll talk to River.”

I gawk and lean over to slap his arm. “You wouldn’t!”

“No, but you should’ve seen your face! Now go bring these drinks to the new members that walked in.”

Evan points to the tray ready for our members, and he goes back to making new orders. I hop off the stool and grab the tray before heading off to the main floor.

But my mind drifts off to Snakebite the rest of the night. And I hate to admit it, but the thoughts of Frankie slowly dissipate into a cloud of mist.

My thoughts are solely on Snakebite and him alone.