Page 34 of Breaking the Limits

As I make my way up to the strip club, I have to keep reminding myself it’s just temporary and that’sifI even get the job. I take a deep breath before opening the door. The smell of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and overused cologne hits my nose. My stomach rolls but I try to keep my face impassive. I walk over to the bar and ask the bartender who I would talk to about the job. He directs me to an office in the back.

I cringe as I near the door hearing the sex noises coming from behind it. I lean against the wall and try to busy myselfon my phone and block the sounds from my hearing. Fifteen minutes later the door opens, a busty blonde exits the office. Mr. Dixon appears in the doorway. His beady eyes roam over my body and I have to bite my tongue to keep from making a smart remark. “What can I do for you sweetie?” he finally asks.

I plaster on my smile. “I heard you might be looking for a cocktail waitress.”

“I am, among other things,” he tells me.

His eyes roam again and I think I’m going to be sick. “I’m only interested in the waitress position.”

“Well, step into my office and we’ll get you set up,” he says, stepping away from the doorway to motion me inside. I send a quick text to Kenndrix just as a safety precaution.

****

Ace

Things between Kynlee and I have been different since the night she got drunk and almost got herself killed. Our…relationship…if that’s what you call it is strained. She had to go out of town to promote the Wicked Little Things line and in her absence, I was a total ass, spending my free time with other girls which Jagger called me out on. He told me it wasn’t every day that girls like Kynlee came around and I know he’s right, but I can feel the distance between us. I can see it in Kynlee’s eyes. I try to tell myself I’m just imagining it but I’m not. She muttered she loved me in her sleep and I’ve tried to convince myself that it was just her dreaming, but was it? When I catch her staring at me now, I feel like she’s trying to decipher me and any emotion on my face. She’s searching for more, wanting more and that’s not something I can give her. She knew going into this that I couldn’t.

It’s been a couple of weeks since Kynlee and I have actually spent any real time together. We’ve had short conversations viatelephone or text but nothing of real importance has been said. Instead, we mumble basic questions and answers. It’s awkward and I hate it but how can I fix it? I can’t give her something I don’t have, something that I don’t believe in. I can’t take away the fact that she recklessly risked her life for a night of distraction. I realized that night that I had allowed myself to care too much. I had to pull back, I had to get my head back on straight. Especially, if her life meant so little to herself. I wouldn’t be able to handle losing another person I cared so much for.

Distance was the only answer. Kynlee and I were just supposed to be friends with benefits anyways when had we become such a…couple? I didn’t do the couple thing, there were too many expectations attached, too many needs and wants of things I couldn’t give. I had forgotten all about those because of Kynlee, something about her made things different, made the lines blur, made me forget who I really was. The only way to fix everything was to create some distance. I got lucky and her job had taken her on a promotional tour just when I needed it.

****

Kynlee had been gone for a couple of weeks but she got back today. I knew she was already back in L.A. she had sent me a quick text to let me know. The relief I felt flooded through me from reading her simple text told me that no matter how much distance I had tried to put between us that it hadn’t worked.

Frustration courses through my veins. This damn car of Enzo’s is taking over my life. Between getting things settled at Inkredible and being here working on this damn car I haven’t had much time to do a whole lot else. I did manage to get Brody settled in at Inkredible before having to disappear for an unlimited amount of time. I know my family could use the money this car will bring us, but I hate that it’s Enzo’s. I also hatethat I could almost bet money on the fact that he set this whole thing up just to keep me away from Kynlee.

Okay, maybe now I’m just being paranoid but I don’t trust Enzo. I wouldn’t put it past his punk ass. Deciding it’s time to take a break I wash up then head out for some fresh air. I check my phone and see I have a text form Kynlee.

Kynlee: Is there any way you can be here for dinner tonight?

Ace: Yeah, I can make that work.

Kynlee: Yay! We’re celebrating. I got a job! I’ll see you later, is 8 good?

Ace: Yeah, 8 will work.

Kynlee: Great! See you then lover boy ;) xoxo

Wow, I wonder where she got a job. I couldn’t wait to celebrate with her. I scrubbed my hands over my face, no matter how hard I try to keep my lines firmly drawn she managed to blur them. Eight was a little early to call it quits for the timeline I had this car on, but I could always make it up. I’d just come in super early tomorrow. Spending time with Kynlee was something I needed right now. I’d get the car back on timeline in a couple of days.

****

I left the shop a little before eight. As I pull into that parking lot, I let my excitement run wild. It’s almost the feeling I get right before a big race. The anticipation of seeing Kynlee, of celebrating with her was just what I need even if I don’t want to admit it. I take the stairs two at a time and when I open the door, I’m more than a little shocked to see the dining room table set for two.

The apartment is candle lit withPierce the Veilplaying softly. A plate of pasta and glasses of wine sit at the table. I enter the house and my nose is greeted with the scent that is uniquely Kynlee. She appears in the bedroom doorway in a sexy littleblack piece of lingerie. Kynlee tosses her hair over her shoulder giving me her sexy smirk then struts toward me in her heels.

My eyes eat her up. Damn, I’ve missed her. She stops and extends her hand to me. “You’re a little early but lucky for you everything is ready to go.” I raise my eyebrow in question. She grabs my hand and leads me to the table where she pushes me down into the chair. Grabbing a napkin, she slowly rests in my lap. I’m tempted to pull her into my lap and kiss her senseless.

As if she can read my mind she backs away and wags a finger at me. “No, no, no…good things come to those that wait.” She tortures me as she prances around to the other side of the table.

I lean forward. “Good things or naughty things?”

Kynlee raises her eyebrows in question. “Is there a difference?” she asks innocently.

I chuckle. “I guess not baby doll.” We’re halfway through our meal when I finally ask Kynlee, “So, where’s the new job?”

She seems hesitant to answer but finally gives in. “Red Hott.”

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