I sensed him directly behind me. A chill rolled up my spine, my breath catching in my throat. I swallowed and moved to the side to put distance between us.
I flicked my eyes at him. “Really? You don’t seem like a Brian McKnight fan.”
“You know the song?” He seemed surprised.
“Mhm. I like pop and R&B.” I swept my gaze around the room. “You’re clearly a country music kind of guy who enjoys… pole dancing.” I went toward the stairs to put more distance between us.
“I’m an everything kind of guy.” His heavy footsteps quickened. “Am I making you nervous, Jay?”
“Not at all.” Big fat lie. “Shouldn’t we be getting back to the compound?”Please say yes, please say yes.
“We’ve only been gone a half hour. Let’s sit and talk.” He grabbed my hand, stopping me from running out the exit. “Come on, Jay.” His silky voice licked down the back of my neck. Okay, so it was his hot breath putting dirty thoughts in my head. “Do I scare you?”
Yes.
“No.” I turned around, finding his face was way too close to mine.
He smirked. “Right.” He tugged my hand to lead me to a table, then pulled a chair out.
“Thank you.” I sat, folding my hands in my lap to keep from fidgeting. I preferred to be on my feet so I could move around and stay away from Zander. He unnerved the hell out of me. “What did you want to talk about? You already showed me where everything was in the bar.”
He took the seat across from me. “You don’t have any questions for me?”
I considered him. Was there something I should’ve asked about? The truth was, I didn’t want to know anything about him.
“Job-related questions? Nope. I know my schedule.” I bobbed my head, avoiding eye contact.
“You aren’t curious about the club or anything?” He crossed his arms over his chest as he studied me. “The MC life can be overwhelming for a newbie.”
“Nope. The MC life isn’t my life. I’ll work here for a while, then I’ll be out of your hair.”
“What makes you think I want you out of my hair? Didn’t we agree to only be friends?” His rapid reply put me on the spot. Did he honestly believe I’d stick around? Why would he want me here? I’d already cock blocked him with Amber.
“Yes, you’re correct. We agreed to be friends.”
He leaned forward and crossed his arms on the table. “Then why move?”
“Because Sadie wants to live at the beach.”
“I’m sure she’d love to stay here with me.”
I pointed my finger at him. “Don’t do that, Zander. Don’t screw with my kid.” Sadie adored him. She probably dreamed of him being her daddy. It pained me to even think such a thing.
He raised his hands in surrender. “I’m not. But I could use a good friend in my life.”
“Don’t play me for a fool. You have plenty of biker friends and women at your beck and call. Your biggest fan is Amber, right?”
“Now don’t you do that.” He pointed his finger. “If you have something to say about the kittens, say it. If you have questions, ask. In the end, what I did before I met you isn’t—”
“Isn’t what?” I shook my head, waving my hands in front of me. “Don’t tell me. It’s none of my business.”
“It isn’t a betrayal. Why are you getting upset? I’m not angry you danced topless for a living.”
“Why would you be? I wasn’t doing anything illegal.”
“Because I don’t want anyone seeing your body.”
I gaped. “Excuse me? Am I that repulsive?”