Chapter 18: Chapter 18

FRANCESCA

I’m jolted awake early on Wednesday morning, my day off, by the sound of someone knocking on my door.

I stumble out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and head to the door. I don’t even bother to check who it is. I already have a hunch.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Just past six,” comes the smug reply from Christian De Luca, a smirk playing on his lips. “Did I wake you, kitten?”

“Clearly,” I grumble. “I don’t have to be up this early, Christian. I don’t work at QB on Wednesdays.”

“I know. I was hoping you might want to join me for breakfast?”

“It’s too early, Christian. I have to work at the club tonight. I need my sleep.”

Christian’s smirk fades a bit when I mention the club. He nods slowly.

“Right, I’m sorry for disturbing you. But I’m glad I got to see you today, even if it was brief.”

I can feel my cheeks heating up at his words. He sure knows how to charm.

“Have a good day, Christian,” I say, trying to shake off my blush.

Christian steps closer, planting a kiss on my cheek that’s dangerously close to my lips. He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“You too, kitten.”

***

Once he’s gone, I manage to fall back asleep, but my dreams are filled with Christian De Luca.

In my dreams, he’s not the intimidating CEO. He’s just Christian, the smart, sexy guy I met in London. We come from different worlds, and I know I could get hurt if I let my guard down, but in my dreams, none of that matters.

When I finally wake up, it’s one in the afternoon. I spend the next few hours leisurely getting ready.

I dress in my usual club outfit, covered by my gray trench coat, and let my hair fall freely over my shoulders.

Before leaving the house, I order Chinese food and tuck my phone into my bag.

The Chinese restaurant is just a block away from James’s apartment, so I decide to walk, enjoying the early evening air.

The walk takes about thirty minutes. I carry the four bags of Chinese food up to his apartment and knock on the door.

A groggy-looking James answers the door. He rubs his eyes, takes in my appearance and the food, and breaks into a grin.

“Come on in, Cheer.”

James and I spend the next two hours eating and catching up. I fill him in on the past few days.

“De Luca really likes you.”

“Seems like it.”

“He’s kind of intimidating. Are you sure you want to get involved with him?”

“Christian wouldn’t hurt me, James.”

“You sure about that?”

“Not physically. He could break my heart, but he wouldn’t physically hurt me.”

“Just be careful, Cheer.”

“Yes, ~Dad~.” I roll my eyes, and James sticks his tongue out at me. “We should get going. Marty will be wondering where we are,” I say, cleaning up the takeout containers and storing the leftovers in the fridge.

“You’re dating the owner. That should buy us some time.” James groans.

“Let’s go.” I pull James out the front door, and we head straight down to the club.

Marty greets us with a smile, a handshake for James, and a hug for me. He asks about my job at QB, and I brush it off, unsure of what to say.

I follow James to the bar, where a few of the girls are already downing their liquid courage. We’re all here for the same reasons, but it comes easier to some than others.

Candy practically jumps on me when she sees me.

“There she is! Little Miss Corporate! I thought you’d forget about us.”

“Are you kidding? I love this place.” I laugh, hugging her back, and I get a few smiles from the other girls.

“So, how’s the guy?”

“Really?”

“What?”

“Is that all you care about?”

“Of course! He’s hot, rich, and totally into you. Why aren’t you more excited?”

“Christian is...,” I trail off, feeling my cheeks heat up.

Candy smirks, and I raise my hand to stop her from saying anything.

“He’s used to getting what he wants. He can be demanding, mean, and childish when he doesn’t get his way.”

“~But~…he’s hot, rich, and totally into you.”

“Whatever.” I roll my eyes and look away from her, wondering if Christian has finished work yet. “Oh, crap!”

“What?”

“I left my phone upstairs in my bag.”

“Do you need it now?” James pours me a scotch, looking worried. “I can go get it for you.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll get it after my shift.”

“If you say so, gorgeous.”

“All right, girls! Doors open in ten minutes.” Marty’s voice echoes through the club.

The club turns into a whirlwind of activity as all the girls rush to do their last-minute touch-ups.

I lean over the bar and give James a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to the back room.

I’ve been doing this for so long that I don’t feel the need to fuss like the other girls. I simply shrug off my trench coat and let my hair down.

Marty tells us the order for tonight, and I’m up first. As soon as the doors open, I head out to the crowd, ready to take drink orders.

“Cheers!” My name rings out, and I spin around on my stilettos to face a table of regulars.

“Hey, boys!”

“You dancing tonight?”

“Of course! Just giving the other girls a chance first.”

“No one can shake it quite like you, Cheer,” one of the men says, flashing me a gap-toothed smile.

“Aw, aren’t you a sweetheart. What can I fetch you to drink?”

I jot down their orders, give them a playful wink, and toss my hair as I pivot back toward the bar.

I bump into someone and nearly topple over. Warm hands steady me at my waist, and I wriggle free from the firm grip.

“Thanks, honey. You—” I glance up at the man, and my eyes widen a bit. “Christian?”

“Kitten,” he rumbles. His eyes rake over me hungrily, and he shakes his head a little as if to clear his mind.

“I think this belongs to you.” He holds up my purse, the one I’d left at James’s place.

“How did you—”

“Maybe you could explain why it was at your ~friend’s~ apartment.” Christian interrupts me, and I narrow my eyes at him before snatching the bag from his hands.

“I had dinner with James,” I retort, spinning on my heels and sashaying toward the back room.

Christian catches my wrist and yanks me back, spinning me into his chest. My body betrays me, reacting to his warmth.

“I thought I made it clear that you’re mine,” Christian murmurs into my ear, his breath tickling the sensitive skin of my neck.

I scold myself for how my body responds almost instantly. My breath hitches, and a blush spreads across my cheeks.

I extract myself from his hold and step back, doing my best to keep my face impassive.

“I thought I made it clear that I can’t be bought, Christian,” I snap at him. “I’m at work. If you’re going to be a nuisance, please leave.”

“A nuisance?” That irresistible smirk appears on his face. “Is that any way to talk to your boss, Francesca?”

“~Cheer.~” I glare at him, aware that the people at the table behind us are eavesdropping on our conversation. “In this club, my name is Cheer.”

“Of course, ~Cheer.~ Can I order a drink?”

“You’re staying?” I ask, genuinely surprised.

“Apparently, ‘no one can shake it quite like Cheer.’ ” He repeats the words he must have overheard earlier. “I’d hate to miss that.” Christian takes a seat at an empty table.

“So you’re staying?”

“Yes.”

“The whole night?”

“I’ll be here waiting for you.”

“And you’re not going to be a nuisance?”

Amusement crosses Christian’s features.

“I’ll try my hardest, kitten.”

“All right then.” I smile, satisfied with the situation, and turn to leave. Christian grabs my wrist again.

“Not so fast.”

“What?” I roll my eyes.

“Watch the attitude, kitten. I’d like a scotch.”

“Oh…coming right up.”

“Put it on my tab. And get something for yourself too.” Christian winks at me as he releases my wrist, and I’m a flustered mess by the time I reach James at the bar.

It’s clear from the grin on his face that he saw the whole exchange, and he’s enjoying a good laugh.

“Shut up,” I say, tossing my order notepad at him. “Just make the drinks, jerk. I’m going to put my bag in the back.”

“Sure thing, Cheer.” James smirks, and I know he’s holding back laughter.

Once in the back room, I find my phone and see thirty missed calls and at least ten messages. All from Christian.

My phone must have been on silent because most of the timestamps are from when I was with James.

I decide to read all the messages later, but as I slip it back into my bag, I notice the location services in the top right corner flashing.

It bothers me as I walk back to the bar, and James notices as he hands me my tray.

“What’s up?”

“Why would my location thing on my phone be flashing?”

“How else do you think De Luca found your bag?”

“You think he traced my phone?”

“I’d bet a lot of money on it.”

“Jerk,” I mutter as I pick up the tray and make my rounds. I head straight to the table of regulars, feeling Christian’s eyes on me the whole time.

“Here you go, boys. Enjoy your night.”

“Make sure they keep coming, Cheer!”

“I’ll make sure one of the girls has you covered all night.”

I send them a wink and hair flick before setting Christian’s scotch down in front of him.

“Why are you running away, kitten?”

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. “You’d never lie to me, right?”

“Of course not.”

“I can trust you?”

“Of course, kitten.” Christian takes my hands in his, his eyes full of worry.

“Tell me how you knew my bag was at James’s place.”

“What?”

“You traced my phone, right?”

“Francesca—”

“Cheer,” I correct him. “I’m at work, so this is yet another thing we will discuss later, but you’re going about dating me the wrong way. Someone will be around later if you need another drink.”

“Kitten—”

He is cut off as my intro music starts, and I’m grateful for the interruption.

James tosses me my pom-poms as I walk toward the stage, and I swing my hips. I scan the crowd as I start my dance, my eyes landing immediately on Christian.

He raises his glass to me in salute before downing the contents. I have to focus on my dancing when I see Christian stand and walk toward the door.

I will him to look back at me, but he doesn’t. I rethink my words, wondering if I had been too harsh.

He promised me he wouldn’t stop asking, but maybe he finally realized I’m not worth the trouble.