Wild Bastard by Ella Savitskaya (book suggestions .txt) 📕

Marina

I pick up my bag, and change into the ballet shoes that Lana gave me. They are very soft, so it's hard for me to get used to them yet. I can barely feel them, and it feels like I'm walking around barefoot.

I nod goodbye to Kate, leaving her alone with a whole crowd of visitors, and after giving the sycophantic Alex a kiss, I walk out the door.

The night is excessively stuffy. The stifled air is literally sticking in my throat, getting up my nose, and attacking my lungs. That's why being in an air-conditioned car is the best thing that could happen right now. Only the company is disconcerting.

I sit down in the passenger seat, throw my purse back, and only now allow myself to look at Matthew. I can't stop thinking about what he just did.

"I think you have me confused with Lana, Matt" I take the cigarette from his long fingers and take a deep puff.

The blue eyes are drawn into my face with interest, sliding down my cheeks and resting on my lips, releasing a thin stream of smoke in his direction. He lifts his head and draws it in with his nose.

"You two have the same stuff now, of course, but mixing you up with Lana? Why would I do that?" He starts the rumbling engine of an expensive car, which I'm sitting in for the first time.

"Why would you defend "a track whore"? As far as I understood, you only care about your relatives" I take off my ballet shoes and throw my feet up on the dashboard.

There's not much space here, so I just have to put my feet against the floorboards.

When I turn back to him, I notice the insolent stare that follows unashamedly down my legs, covered by my black breeches. My own ones. Wearing branded clothes to work in a bar is the height of frivolity and neglect.

"Well, we already figured out that you're not a whore" The bastard grin and takes my cigarette. "And I got the bastard out of the bar so that next time he would think twice before waving his arms."

"Maaathew, do I really see something of a real man in you?" I lean back in my chair, unable to contain my mocking tone, and allow myself to look at Lana's older brother for once.

Vicious lips stretch into a wide grin that I can't look away from for some reason. He looks normal for the first time. He's kind of perky and easygoing and simple. Subconsciously, I try to remember this image, because I realize that it's very, very rare for him to transform himself like this.

"I have something else from a real man, Rie."

Well, as soon as he opened his mouth, the haze of nobility lifted.

I roll my eyes and shake my head.

"That seems to be all you have to brag about!"

"Because there is more than that! And when you feel me inside you'll understand what I'm talking about. "

"Shut your mouth, Matt! Sometimes I think you don't need to talk at all, because all you can do is talk trash! "

"Mmmm, and you seem to like it a lot! "

The bastard laughs, shamelessly licking my body with his eyes in those seconds when he takes his eyes off the road. I prefer to leave his remark unanswered. It is hopeless to argue with him, and it seems to only encourage him. And I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of arguing. Because, in fact, I find that I'm beginning to enjoy teasing him.

I turn away and stare out the window, trying not to think about Matthew's presence. There's no scent in the car, so all I can smell is a man's body odor. Even the leather on the seats is saturated with it, which makes me want to cover my nose with my fingers and not breathe.

"Why do you work in this filthy place?" He asks after a while.

"Because I need the money."

"I get that. But why in this dump? There are plenty of other places."

"Like what?" I turn to him and sit differently. I put my feet under me and lean my left side on the chair.

My eyes are glued against my will to the massive arm, covered with tight strands of veins. His fingers wrap around the wheel, steering the car with confidence.

"For example, a cafe where you don't have to serve drunken bastards."

"Been there."

"So? You didn't like it?"

"Same number of drunken bastards, but they're more stingy with the tips."

"You mean there's more tipping at the bar?" The wide eyebrow arches incredulously.

"Not always. But it's not really about the tip. I'm comfortable with the shifts here. It's not far from home. I mean was." I belatedly remember that I no longer live at my last address.

"Well, what about other places? A salesgirl, a cashier? Freelance?"

"Matt, it's not that easy without an education!" I get irritated, explaining trivial truths to someone who does not even know what it means to save on bread and buy half a loaf.

Matthew is silent, rubbing his chin with his free hand.

"How old are you, Rie?"

"Nineteen."

"Are you planning on applying somewhere?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"Not this year."

"Why not?"

" Is this an interrogation?"

I don't like answering his questions. What kind of fake interest in my life? Just yesterday the asshole was only interested in what was in my underwear, and now he needs me to spill my guts?

Matthew shoots me a fleeting glance and returns it to the road.

"It's an interest."

"Why?"

"Because I'm interested in you, Reenah! You're not a little girl, you should understand! "

Such a confession makes a sarcastic response stick out of my mouth. Did he really just say that, or was I imagining it?

"Who are you, and what have you done with the bastard Cash? "

A hoarse, loud laugh rolls through the cabin, vibrating in my ears.

"Rie, I always speak as I feel. First of all, I want you" I gulp nervously, fighting the goosebumps that are triumphantly coursing through my skin. "Second of all, I wouldn't go to a bar that sells the shittiest beer just to spend an evening somewhere. I have an alternative. Always. "