Chapter Five DRAVEN I scramble toward the other side of the hall so that it will look as if I am coming back from the restroom. Walking back toward the bar I am met with Barts sad, heavy eyes. In an attempt to pretend I have no idea what is going on, I smile as brightly as my disappointed heart will allow. Whats wrong boss? Um, Draven I have to- he cuts off as someone approaches from behind me. Gee lemme guess who it is. I could be deaf and blind, and I would still know who stood behind me. His heat is pressing against my back again and the hairs on my neck are standing at attention. If I lean back, just a bit… my ass will push right against his… No Draven no! Bartlett has to renovate the upstairs apartment so youll have to stay somewhere else until its complete, Domonics low voice interrupts. Whats this now? Somewhere else? My questioning eyes meet Barts and he shrugs. Where else? Knowing what I do which is that Domonic is lying sparks an anger in me and I spin on him with a glare. He is smirking, that sweet dimple winking enough to make my panties damp. I can set you up in a place, a small condo at the top of the hill. No thanks. I cant afford it, I say evenly, pushing my back against the counter to create distance between us. He is much too close. The mouthwatering smell of him is making me dizzy. You can afford it. His jaw tightens and he glares down at me. You wont have to pay rent, because I own it. My eyes narrow and I tilt my head at him reproachfully. I cant let him know that I was listening to their conversation. I dont want anything from you, I growl. He hisses, a muscle in his jaw ticking. Placing his hands on the bar on both sides of me, he cages me in yet again. Pushing in closer, so that we are a mere ifew inches away from each other, he replies, Then youll stay with me. At my house. I hear Bart drop a glass behind the bar and curse. I scoff, With you? At your house? Well ifthat didnt spark a fit of giggles.Id rather sleep on the bar or at the train station, I retort. No thanks. Suddenly he dips his head forward and I freeze. His nose shifts into the long back tendrils of my hair, and his lips barely graze my cheek on their way to my ear. I have to force myself to stand my ground although my instincts have me reeling backward. His breath warms my neck, and I could swear I hear the beginnings of a groan. He whispers, Then, either you take the condo, or you take the train out. Whats it gonna be? My heart begins to hammer in my chest with his closeness. The delicious pine scent of his aftershave filtering through my senses and causing me to tremble within. I can feel his arms closing in on each side of my frame. As if he is inching them closed around me, one tiny milimeter at a time. Electricity sparks when he presses himself closer to my chest. So strongly that Im surprised it doesnt crackle. I open my mouth to speak, but the words catch in my throat as I feel the soft brush of his teeth upon my earlobe. What the fuck is he doing? He whispers gently, Please. Just until we can reinforce the security in your apartment. Then pulling back, he meets my eyes drectly, nodding at me while I stand there panting for breath. My gaze narrows at him, and he smirks, crossing his arms over his chest. Son-of-a-bitch! He did all that shit on purpose. He was just winding me up. He knows! He must have seen me hiding back there. Thats why he stopped in the hall. Fine, I bite out, poking him in the chest sharply. But I get to keep my job. Domonic scowls at me. His eyes floating up and back toward where Bart stands on the other side of the counter. Thats not necessary, because like I said, I will not be charging you rent. I laugh this asshole really is something else. It is necessary because I will be paying you back, I snap. Paying him back for what? A thick velvety voice sounds from Domonics side and I know without looking that its Barbie. Domonic visibly tenses as she places an artfully manicured hand on his arm. Now that I am face to face with her, she doesnt look nearly as cute as I first thought. Her face is coated in an inch of make-up and her eyes are too close together, strangling the bridge of her pointy little nose. She does have nice tits though. The bitch. But one glance down tells me that is all she has. Her hips are non-existent. Dead blue eyes find mine and she snarls, I asked you a question. Shes taller than me. But I can take her. I smile, nice and bright, then turn my attention back to Domonic. Can you walk your skank back to your table please? Skank?! She fumes. Bart howls behind me, his laughter adding another measure of joy to my smile. Margo, this is none of your business. Go and get in the car. Were leaving. Domonic says blandly. Margo huh? Bleh. Boring,,, Margo stomps one foot then spins around, making her way toward the door. She is sure to send me one more bitch face before her exit though and for that I am grateful. Domonic, massages his temple. As I was saying, you wont be needing this job. I propped one finger under my chin as if I were deep in thought. Well, then no deal. Because I like this job and you arent going to keep me from it. He glares at me, then chuckles darkly. You can keep the job, but just so you know, the condo is four miles up the hill. So, if you insist on keeping it, you will be spending a good amount of time walking. I like walking, I say, and its true, I do. Its great for my ass, I supply. Sounds like fun. Again, he clenches his teeth. Eyes going heavy as they trace over my hips. You arent going to be walking four miles every night at two in the morning. I can drive her home, Bart offers. I smirk, There. You see? Bart will drive me. Domonic nods, eyeing Bart as he turns to leave. Ill see you both at the condo tonight then. Cant you just give me the key now? Id hate to infringe on your hoe-down. He ignores me, chuckling as he leaves. I must be crazy. I dont even like this guy! He could be a serial killer for all I know. As if Bart is reading my mind, he says, Dont worry, kiddo. Domonics an asshole, yeah, but hes a good guy too. By the time Bart closes up and Ive repacked my backpack, it is thirty minutes past two in the morning. We get into his truck and head into the thick fog of the surrounding streets. There arent many cars left on the road and the limited streetlighting only adds to the eerie atmosphere. The moon is only a quarter in and partially cloaked, so my view of the landscape around me is suppressed. On our way up the steepest of hills, I glance at Bart. How far do you live from the condo? He smiles teaasingly, I only live a block over. Why? You scared? Not scared exactly. Just… wary. He sighs, reaching an arm over to pull me in for a friendly side hug. Were mostly good people out here, Draven. After youve been here awhile, youll see that. Besides, its not like youll be alone on the property. The property? He laughs. The condo sits on the landlords property. I guess you could say, its more of a guest house. Guest house? Domonics guest house? And my landlord is… I say just as we pull past a modern gate surrounded by evergreen trees. Domonic, I hiss, seeing him standing outside of a large modern looking home that appears to be wall to wall glass. I roll down the window as the truck idles next to him. He is wearing gray sweatpants and a matching hoodie. And… he looked delicious. Where the fuck have you two been? He snaps angrily, Ive been waiting out here for forty-five minutes. I had to close up, man. And Draven had to pack her things. Domonic eyes the two of us suspiciously before rolling his gaze heavenward and gesturing for Bart to continue down the driveway. As we pass the main house, I take in all of its features. I can literally see the kitchen, living room, and dining room through the spotless glass walls. The sports network is playing on a seventy-five-inch flatscreen inside and the picture is so good I feels like I am in the room for a second. The modern decor is done in browns and whites. Everything in the place looking expressively expensive. Suddenly I am afraid of what I might see through those glass walls. Wheres his girl? Margo. I do not want front row seats to Fifty Shades of Slut! Turning back to the driveway and away from the house, I see it. The condo. It looks like a miniature of the main house but with less windows on the second floor. Oh, my, God, I say quietly as we pull up and the porch light goes on. I-I cant afford this! Bart laughs heartily, cutting off the engine. Rent free, remember? But I dont want it to be free! I want to pay him back! Well then, pay him back. But! I snap through clenched teeth. I cannot, afford, this! Just then, the passenger door opens and Domonic is invading our space. I eye him warily. You live here. Its not a question, but he nods, his eyes on Bart. You two are sitting awfully close together. The unmistakable rumble of a barely perceptible growl fills the air. One much like I heard the first day I stepped into the bar. How very strange… My lip lifts in annoyance and I slowly turn in my seat to plant a very thankful, very wet, kiss on Barts cheek. Thank you, I whisper, smiling when Bart looks like he cant breathe. See you tomorrow boss. In "The Secret of Nami Sushi" by CrushReel, readers are drawn into a captivating tale of mystery and intrigue surrounding a renowned sushi restaurant. As the story unfolds, secrets hidden within the delicate flavors of Nami Sushi come to light, weaving a web of drama that keeps both the characters and readers on edge. 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