Page 18 of Toxic B!tch
She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Wait… how did you find where I work? Oh god, you’re not a creepy pervert, right?”
I shake my head frantically. “No, no, no! I swear, I just stopped in for a drink. I didn’t know you worked here. I was justpassing the time while waiting for your call, and then I heard your voice.”
She narrows her eyes at me, her brow raised. “Promise?”
“Promise,” I say, my voice firm. “It was actually this bar where Elle gave me the wrong number. I think you served us that night.”
Her eyes widen as she taps her temple, like she’s trying to jog her memory. Then it clicks. “No shit. That was you! I thought you were too good for her. She was such a cunt.”
I can’t help but laugh, the tension melting away. “She really was.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
INDIGO
This is wild. Malik is actually here, sitting at the bar like it’s no big deal, like this isn’t the moment I’ve been low-key daydreaming about for weeks.
“I need to finish my shift, but do you wanna get some food after?”
He smiles, and my stomach flips, catching me off guard. “Yeah.”
He turns back to his seat, and I bite my bottom lip as I watch him walk away, that strong back and the way his shirt pulls against his shoulders. Ugh, he’s so damn sexy, I can barely concentrate. For the next two hours, I sling drinks, trying to focus on my job, but every so often, my eyes drift to him. He nurses Dr Peppers, and I can feel his gaze on me as I move around the bar.
Finally, it’s closing time. I pause the jukebox, silencing the music. “Bar’s closed!” I call out, making my way to the front. “You don’t gotta go home, but you gotta get the fuck out of here!”
The few stragglers groan but head for the door, and Malik is one of them. I watch him, my heartbeat picking up a little. When he steps outside, he turns back and catches my eye. My lips curve into a smile, playful, inviting. “Wait for me in the parking lot? I Ubered here.”
“I’ll be here,” he says, his deep voice sending a spark down my spine.
We’re gonna go get milkshakes. I’ve already decided. It’s not even a question.
As the door swings shut, I can barely hold back my grin.
My man is tall, thick, and built like he could carry me out of here and throw me around like I weigh nothing. He’s not one of those stick-thin gym rats with abs that look like they hurt to touch. Malik is a real man, broad and solid, and I justknowhe could handle me.
Just imagining the feel of his hands on me makes my thighs clench together. Heat pools low in my belly, and I glance down at the crotch of my pants.
“No,” I mutter to myself. “Naughty girl. This is our first date. You’ll stay hidden.” I press my lips together, trying to calm the restless desire, as ifshecould listen to reason.
“Indigo, you coming? I’ll mop if you stock!” Brenda’s voice cuts through my thoughts from behind the bar, and I snap back to reality.
“Deal,” I respond, trying to sound normal, but the edge in my voice is still there.
I head to the back and start filling my arms with pop to put in the pop fridge. My mind is still spinning, stuck on the image of him. I picture Malik’s hands on my hips, his breath against my neck... Ugh.Focus, Indigo.
I start stocking the fridge, slamming cans into place with more force than necessary. I need a distraction, something tocool me down. But all I can think of is Malik waiting for me outside, and it makes my pulse quicken again.
“What’s up with that guy?” Brenda asks.
“What guy?” I shoot back, feigning ignorance as I close the fridge door and move over to stock the bottle cooler.
“The one who was at the bar all night. I served him some beers, but he couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
I stop, caught off guard. “Malik? The one in the green plaid?”
“Yeah, him.”
“Oh, he’s my best friend,” I reply.
