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We fucked already. We couldn’t go there again.

But now, here I was, trying to pick out the perfect outfit to wear to work tonight, knowing I’d see him. Why did I even care so much if I wasn’t going to allow something to happen between us again?

Not wasting another minute, I chose my signature emerald green set—garter and all—double-checked my hair and makeup then headed out the door for my shift.

Normally, I was the one to walk into The Royale with all the confidence in the world, ready to crush my shift. But today, once I entered the back door to the dressing room, my stomach turned. It was a completely unfamiliar feeling of butterflies and knives stabbing my insides all at the same time.

“Scarlett Jade! Nice of you to join us. You already have a member requesting you.” My boss’s voice echoed through the back room, gearing all my coworkers’ eyes to focus on me.

Jesus, Hunter. Couldn’t give me like an hour?

“Thanks, boss. I’ll be right out!”

Slipping my sweatpants and oversized flannel off, I threw my things into my locker and looked at my reflection in the vanity mirror. Giving my deep red hair a fluff, I admired my perfectly blown out waves and headed for the door without looking back.

I went straight for the bar where I assumed Hunter would be waiting, my white strappy high heels clicked to the same steady beat of my heart.

Spotted. And way too fucking hot for his own good.

“Hunter.” I stuffed down my nerves and greeted the tall blond man I never should have told I was working tonight.

Let’s be real, though, he would have found out anyway.

“Scarlett Jade.”

He didn’t miss a beat this time, calling me by my stage name.

“I have a four-hour shift today, and if you don’t want to see me with anyone else, what’s it going to be?” I puffed out my chest, feeling good about myself. But once I flipped my hair over my shoulder, I didn’t miss the way Hunter’s eyes roamed my body, spending an extra second on the little metal bars that popped through my mesh lingerie.

“Do you have a favorite private room?”

Technically, they were all very similar, but I did have one I preferred.

“Come with me.” I curled my finger, insisting for him to follow.

He didn’t have a tie on for me to pull this time, just a pair of dark gray slacks, a collared cream shirt with the sleeves bunched up enough to expose his strong forearms, and a silver Rolex I’d notice anywhere.

Hunter was so perfectly clean cut that it was hard to pinpoint anything wrong with him.

“This one is my favorite, and it just so happens to be available.” Unlocking the door with my keycard, I took him by the hand and gently pulled him in with me.

“What makes it your favorite?”

“The vibe. It’s a little moodier.” I made my way over to the wet bar. “The plants might be fake, but they give the room a cozy feel. And the couch is a little bigger.”

Hunter took a seat on the plush red velvet, sprawling his arms across the back as he watched me select a playlist that would help set the mood.

When my eyes shyly peeked up and connected with his, I asked, “Is there anything I can get you?”

“I already have a drink, Scarlett.” He lifted his tumbler in the air. “I came here to see you.”

Fuck. I was normally the one in control, and it was really crawling under my skin that the way this man talked to me—so confident—was throwing me into a state of confusion.

“Come here.” His voice was low and rough but demanding enough to shake me to my core.

“And what if I don’t want to?” I answered with a hand on my hip.

“I’m calling your bluff, because I’m pretty sure you want to be near me just as bad as I want you over here—just like last night when you wanted to know all the friendly ways in which I think about you.”