Chapter 14 – Spellbound

Chapter 14 – Spellbound

Juliet Pierce

The week flew by in a blur. No job. No new interviews. But I still had the club, and the money Atlas pays is more than enough to keep us afloat for now.

After my almost-accident, I didn’t see Chris again. And honestly? I thanked the heavens for that. After the way he looked at me, the way he spoke… Forget it, Juliet. You already have enough problems, and one of them is almost six-foot-four, built like steel, with eyes that burn straight through you and a mouth… God, what is happening to me?

“Ju?!” Samy called from the living room.

“Bedroom!”

“Wow!” She stopped dead in the doorway. “You look stunning! Loving the makeup and those earrings.”

“I officially retired the mask. Looks like this waitress gig is going to last longer than I thought.”

“For me it can last forever,” Samy laughed. “What Atlas pays us in one night is almost what we made in three with Ed.”

“True. And since single moms apparently don’t stand a chance in this city…” I let the frustration slip out.

“Stop that,” Samy said, wrapping an arm around me. “One day they’ll realize the incredible woman they let slip through their fingers.”

I hugged her sideways. “Thank you, Samy.”

She grinned. “Kids?”

“Already with Celeste. Just waiting for you.”

We left together. The drive to the club felt shorter than ever, which did nothing to calm my racing heart.

I’m not ready to face Noah. I still don’t know if it’s because of the interview… or because his kiss is still burning on my lips days later.

We stepped out of the car and nearly bumped into Penelope.

“Good evening, ladies…”

“Hey, Penelope. Ready to snag yourself a Dom tonight?” Samy teased.

“God, I hope so. I’m starting to miss having one.”

We all laughed and walked to the entrance together.

“Good evening, ladies,” Wolf rumbled.

“How was your week, Wolf?” I asked.

For the first time ever, the man actually smiled. “Excellent, Ju. Thank you.”

We walked inside still grinning.

“Catch you girls later,” Penelope said and vanished into the crowd.

Samy and I dropped our things in the locker room and headed straight to Caio at the bar.

“How are my favorite girls tonight?”

“Good,” we answered in unison, making him laugh.

“Take a lap if you want—place is packed. Almost every room is booked.”

Samy didn’t need telling twice. I stayed planted at the bar, eyes locked on a couple performing on the main stage. A full scene—beautiful, intense, hypnotic.

I never heard him approach.

“No mask tonight.” Atlas’s deep voice came from right beside me.

I turned with a smile. “Guess I don’t need to hide anymore.”

“That’s going to be a problem.”

“Why?” I asked, suddenly worried.

“Because the Doms were already losing their minds over you before. Now that they can see this gorgeous face?” He shook his head. “You’re going to give me a headache.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. I dropped my gaze.

Atlas gently lifted my chin. “Hey, it was just a compliment. I’m sure it’s not the first, and it won’t be the last.”

He smiled. I smiled back.

He wished me a good shift and disappeared into the floor.

The night exploded into motion. I scanned the room for Noah again and again, but he was nowhere.

“Looking for someone?” Penelope appeared at my side.

“No, just keeping an eye out in case anyone needs anything.” I shrugged. “Any luck on your hunt?”

“Nada,” she sighed dramatically. “I’m getting frustrated.”

“Come on, it’ll happen. You’re looking for the perfect Dom. That’s not easy to find.”

“Talking about me?” Reed leaned on the bar beside us, flashing that easy smile.

“You?” Penelope arched a brow.

“Yeah. The perfect Dom.”

She burst out laughing. He didn’t even flinch.

“You really think that highly of yourself?”

Reed leaned in and whispered something that made her breath catch. I still heard it.

“I can prove it…”

Penelope fought the smile, but her eyes betrayed her.

“Talk later, Ju,” she muttered and walked off.

“Tough little sub,” Reed said, watching her go. “Definitely my type.”

“She plays hard to get, Mr. Reed. But I think she likes you.”

“I think so too.” We both laughed.

“By the way…” he started, “I’m really sorry it didn’t work out at the company. I saw your résumé—impressive as hell.”

“Thanks. It’s okay. Part of the game, right?” I kept my tone light, but the memory of Blake’s cold reaction still stung.

“What’s part of the game?” Atlas asked, reappearing.

“Miss Pierce applied for Blake’s assistant position. Didn’t work out. Her résumé is insane, though.”

“Really?” Atlas looked genuinely curious.

“Mr. Reed’s just being kind.”

“Kind?” Reed scoffed. “Harvard Economics, MBA in international business—”

“Damn, that’s serious,” Atlas said, eyebrows up.

“You could help him out, Wilson,” Reed told Atlas.

“Help?” I asked.

“Yeah. I’m selling my mom’s old store, but I need the finances organized first.”

“I’d love to help, Mr. Atlas.” My mood lifted instantly. I missed this—numbers, spreadsheets, making order out of chaos. I used to do it all for George and let him take the credit. “Your success is my success, love,” I’d say.

“If you’re serious, I’d really appreciate it. But I’m paying you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“That’s my condition. I accept the help, but I pay for it.” His tone left no room for argument.

I nodded. “Just tell me when.”

“Tomorrow at lunch, if you’re free?”

“Perfect.”

“I’ll text you the address and time.”

Caio called me over before I could answer.

“Ju, room twenty-two, please.”

I grabbed the tray—and froze. No drinks.

“What is this?”

Caio grinned. “Not everything we deliver is liquid. That’s an accessory for the Dom’s scene.”

“Okay… room twenty-two it is.”

I walked down the hallway clutching the leather item, heart already pounding.

Two soft knocks.

The door opened.

And the world stopped.

Those green eyes locked on mine.

For a few endless seconds we just stared, trapped.

My pulse thundered in my ears. My hands shook. Tears pricked my eyes for no reason at all.

I took one step back.

He took one step forward.

Then the girl kneeling at his feet spoke.

“Dom Blake.”

And just like that… the spell shattered.