Page 12 of The Grand Duel

I am being nosy. I’ve never been to a place like this before, and it intrigues me.

I’ve also not had sex in well over a year, the last time being with the delivery driver from my old work, and I still regret that horrifically awkward night to this day.

“I want to know where I’m going to be working,” I tell him.

“I knew Bron would like you,” he says. “Come with me.”

I smile at his back once he turns. “Shoes is a terrible name. I’m sticking with Jovie.”

“It’s your mum or sister’s name, isn’t it?”

“No,” I quickly say.

Maybe I should think of something different.

He chuckles, eyeing me over his shoulder.

I walk a little faster to catch up with him. The corridor is long, with separate hallways splitting off, leading to what looks like more rooms. “How long have you worked here?” I ask him.

“Nearly two years.”

“And you like it?”

“It’s a job.” He looks down at me, dark brows twitching. “Pays the bills.”

“You seem like you like it. You have a vibe about you.”

“It’s a fun place to be. People come here to get a fix, and I have all the right tools for the job.”

The right tools for the job. I snigger. “So…so you sleep with people here?”

“I don’t sleep with them, no. I have sex with them,” he says, matter of fact. “If you fall asleep on me, I’m going to have you banned for life.”

I look at the side of his head as he walks down the corridor.

He’s gorgeous. Clearly confident.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-two.”

My jaw drops. “You’re twenty-two years old? You look…you look like a man.”

“Is a twenty-two-year-old not a man?”

“I mean aman.”

He grins. “How old are you?”

“Twenty-four. You said you’ve been here for two years. You started when you were twenty?”

He nods. “Bron was having none of it for a long time, but I needed…there’s…” He scrambles for his words. Words he clearly doesn’t want to voice.

“You know, I worked in an office for three years before this. I’m excited to try something new.” We take another turn, and I instantly note the lights from inside some of the rooms are on, softly illuminating the hall.

“Well, it’s good to be excited.” He stops me, turning my body to face his. “Are you certain that you want to continue? At least three of the viewing rooms are occupied.”

My lip twitches.