Page 10 of Sweet Dreams
I turn around, facing the door. “Nothing, but you better fucking pray you have a job today.” I unlockthe door, take a deep breath and bite my tongue as Nancy pushes me aside.
“What a cunt,” Silas says, loud enough that Nancy double steps.
“Welcome to my nightmare, Sunshine. Come on, we can be tortured together unless you want to leave. I wouldn’t blame you.”
He places his hand on my back, and I try not to react, but my stupid heart skips a beat. “I’m in it with you. And if she says anything, I won’t hold back.”
“I won’t either.”
We both step into the shop to find Nancy walking toward the back. I hold my breath the closer she gets to the room in question, but she heads for the bathroom first.
“I take it this bathroom is up to code?”
I roll my eyes and move to her. Dumb shit she is, you can’t open unless you get a health inspection. “Yes, Nancy. You do know how shit works, correct or do you just sit in your office flicking your useless clit?”
Silas chokes on a laugh behind me, and Nancy snaps her head in my direction with no expression.
“What’s this room for?” She points to the rental room.
“Storage,” I spit out quickly.
Shepokes her head in and notices cushions on the floor. I’m hoping nothing else was left out from one of the kids.
“I think you've seen enough, as you can see. Teagan is within her agreement. Next time you want to be a bully, pick a different business. Leave.” Silas moves in her line of sight, standing at his full height. Even with Nancy wearing a slight heel, she still has to look up to him.
“I don’t know who you think you are. But you have no right talking to me this way.”
“I don’t give a shit who you are. Do you know who I am?”
She shakes her head, and now I’m even wondering who Silas is. He’s such a mystery that I find myself constantly doubting him.
He grins, stepping close to Nancy. “I’m your worst nightmare. Now move along.”
His words seep out with a cold intensity, and I can feel a shiver run down my spine. I can’t help but wonder about Silas. As I observe how he moves, a sense of uncertainty creeps in, making me ponder the past he hides. Silas has a unique way of looking over his shoulder as if expecting to discover someone there.
Nancy’s face pales, and I watch as she slowly backs away. “I would watch yourself. You may bea nightmare, but I can run you out of this town. And Teagan, I can shut you down before I reach my office.”
And that right there is my worst nightmare. I can’t let anyone interfere with my business. And if Silas keeps this up, Nancy will shut me down. I watch Nancy leave the shop before turning to Silas.
“You can’t say shit like that. Just because you don’t care about the repercussions, I do. This is my livelihood you are fucking with. Nancy will close this shop down without batting her eyes; she doesn’t give a fuck about anyone in this town but herself and her family. Trust me, I know.”
“Teagan, I didn’t mean any harm.”
I walk away, needing a cool-off before I say something I can’t take back. I step into the stockroom, leaving the light off. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply through my nose, feeling my lungs expand.
I exhale through my teeth. “Fucking Nancy.” I stand there, contemplating how to deal with her when that feeling of being watched returns. I peer over my shoulder, and Silas stands in the doorway.
“Not now, please.”
“I need to apologize. I didn’t mean anything by my actions. I was only trying to help. Please forgive me.”
He steps in closer, resting his chest against my back. He gently moves my hair away from my neck and brushes his lips against my skin with a soft kiss.
“When I apologize, I mean it, Dimples.” His fingers wrap around my neck, grazing the bottom of my chin, forcing me to look at him. “Know that I don’t want any harm to come your way.”
“It’s hard for me to trust people, Silas. And I barely know you.”
I can’t get attached. But Silas makes it hard when he’s this close. I’m supposed to keep a distance, yet he pulls me in like a vortex. I have no way of escaping; his presence is consuming.