Page 32 of Forbidden Fruit

I hate myself for liking what I see.

But hate is good.

Hate isn’t numbness.

EIGHTEEN

THE NANNY WHO HAS THE HOTS FOR HER BOSS. WHAT A CLICHÉ.

“Ever since I got sick a couple of weeks ago, he’s been weird. It’s freaking me out,” I tell Jade as she wipes the counter of Lady in White’s bar with a clean rag before placing a pink cocktail in front of me.

It’s Friday night, and the club opens in half an hour, which means it will get busy and hot very quickly, but I really needed someone to talk to.

Lino hasn’t been the same since Anton and I got sick and I dreamt of him taking care of me. It was so embarrassing to face him the day I came back to work. I couldn’t look him in the eye. It’s not like he heard me ask him to stay with me or felt it as I ground against his body to find some comfort. It was all in my imagination, yet, his gaze on me grows heavy with each passing day, like heknowswhat I was dreaming about.

“Have you tried talking to him?” Jade asks absent-mindedly.

“Be serious. I’m not going to ask Mr Marquesi why he looks at me like I murdered his puppy. You’ve seen him. He’s so… serious. You probably even know him better than I do since you see him all the time here.” I’m fishing for information, and Jade knows it because she gives me an arrogant smirk.

I don’t know when the lines started blurring between us, but I feel myself needing to know more about him. What he likes, who he is when he stops pretending he needs to keep me at a distance. I’m not stupid. I know it’s for the best. I’m his employee and besides, he’s way older than me. Divorced and with two kids. But I guess it’s easier to keep lying to myself and nurture this silly little obsession.

She rolls her eyes at me before answering. “He hasn’t been back here for weeks. Actually, the last time I saw him was when we moved out of my flat. Mrs Moretti actually bought the building and is renovating the entire place. I can’t wait to move back in.”

I barely hear the rest of Jade’s story, latching onto that little piece of information she just shared, like it’s not the bomb it is. Mr Marquesi, who I’ve seen twice at the club and who I’m sure is a frequent patron of the place, hasn’t been back since I came to live with him. I mean,on his property. I’m sure it has nothing to do with me, but my body didn’t get the memo as my nipples harden with the thought.

The nanny getting the hots for her boss. Could I be even more of a cliché?

I groan and plant my forehead on the cool marble bar.

“You okay,ma biche?”

“I’m fine. Maybe I just need to get out . I spend all my days with two children under five years old and my weekends alone with smutty books.”

“Hey! You have me,” Jade swats the rag at me and we laugh together. The camaraderie between us feels so natural.

“You know what I mean. I’m like a sad spinster and I’m only twenty-four.”

Jade throws her head back with a cackle.

“Glad to see I at least entertain you,” I moan while sending her a nasty look.

“I’m not mocking you.”

“Could have fooled me,” I grumble before taking a sip of my pink cocktail. The alcohol burns my throat as I swallow. I’m really not used to drinking, but when the liquid settles in my stomach, it warms me from the inside out and leaves a pleasant buzz under my skin that grows with each sip.

“I’m not, I swear. I’m laughing because I’ve got the perfect event for you. On Sunday, we’re hosting a bondage workshop for beginners,” she says, glee tainting her every word. She’s so excited for me. It’s infectious and my smile widens, my interest piqued. “The trainer is Milo. You saw him that first day you worked here; he was on stage. He’s so hot it’s ridiculous. You should join.”

“Areyougoing?”

“No,ma biche,” she scoffs. “My man and I are not beginners.” She winks and I flush, bringing my cold hands to my cheeks to stave it off. The idea of being tied up is enticing but, it doesn’t evoke images of her and her boyfriend playing with ropes. No, the image I’m creating in my head is far more forbidden.

“Okay. Maybe I’ll join.”

“You should. You don’t need a partner. If you’re by yourself, Milo will partner you up either with someone or he’ll be your partner.”

“Shall I…” I clear my throat. “What should I wear?”

Her smile is salacious when she answers. “It’s a beginner’s workshop, Vivi. We might be a sex club, but there won’t be anything sexual going on for your first try. Wear comfortable clothes. These yoga pants you always wear will be fine.”