Bought for and Paid for

hard stormed into the dres

i shot back, annoyance

ask right now? The boss is looking for y

e?" Levi sighed, running

attended for nearly an hour?" Ri

u to cover for me!" Levi exclai

he customers were furious, and somehow the boss

ve, Richard turned to the new girl. " This mus

me? Wow," Lilith

ut what are you doing in here instead of on sta

p pushing myself to impress everyone

he team! You'll have a blast, if you know what I m

e paycheck, actually,"

des to unleash his wrath. You really don't want to see that," Richard

's okay." Lilith stared at her phone, the silence weighing heavy. "No call

y're not even my size!" With a frustrated flick of her wrist, she tosse

as the door swung open, and

uin my business?" he

ng to her feet. "I've never danced for this long

ugh, but you can't just leave the stage whenever you feel like it. If you want to e

Lilly. The audience likes you too. You have something special-a spark that draws

and pride. She had to push thro

You might surprise yourself,"

th, Lilith nodded

oes?" Lilith called out just

w raised. "Why? Do

. My feet are killing me," she admitt

can pull it off, then why not? Just make sure you give it everything you've got. After your perfor

at for me?" Lilith's

. Go out there and show them what you've got," Alex encour

own!" Lilith replied, her spirits li

ty, its energy lingering in the air. Lilith and the remain

y exclaimed, eyes sparkling. "You had cu

ilith replied, a smile spreading across h

moves? Those were all you," D

Daisy," Lilith said, h

anger palpable. Angela and Alexa t

said, ushering a few guys out

ome, Lilly?" Daisy

boss before I go," Lilith repli

" Daisy said, waving as she exite

him, curiosity in

o I really need to say how amazing you were? You were incredible

g me back. They were so tight! My feet are still

heading home?" Levi asked, co

4 AM, and I'm not keen on that right now. I think

ean up, and then I can give you a ri

brow, intrigued. "Rea

ail yet. How about a glass while you wait?"

d, feeling a flutter of excitement as she sett

ex emerged from his offi

performance, didn't I?" he said

e started, but Levi

the glasses. My fault entire

ng slightly. "Alright

't go without me!" Lilith called as she

thout knocking. "I'm here! Hope I'm not in tr

d of me. Please, don't be. I don't bite," Alex

. "I just wanted to make

rs-not just from me, but from the fans you captivated," he said, sliding an envelope across the desk. "Als

" Lilith's excitement bubble

section tomorrow night," Alex said, his voice firm.

'll think about it. I'm not sure I wa

ur first day. If things don't work out the way you want

ghing her options. "Okay, I'll consid

talent. Don't be afraid to embrace it," Ale

th possibilities, and she couldn't shake th

Lilith exclaimed, her eyes sparkling wi

ning. Can you help me grab those last glasses?" Le

to the table. "Darn it, I forgot you said your feet h

d him, but he was already striding t

n't move an inch," he

ay put," Lilith teased back,

along with a delicate flower he had picked just for her. He returned

ht here," Lilith laug

id, gently placing the flowe

to?" she asked,

enigmatic smile on his face as

aid, gazing into his eyes, feeling the

m faded away, leaving just the two of them

ou?" Lilith asked, breakin

is lips. "I could carry you all night and never bre

bending down to hold her knees. His eyes remained locke

e. "I just need to finish up, grab my things, and let

ch sending shivers through her. She felt a rush of excitement, knowing

Levi returned, a pla

he asked, his

lith replied, trying to sha

g home in that outfit?" he

tally forgot! Should I change?

abric catching the dim light of the club. "Here you go

s she slipped it on. "Your perfume smells amazing. I love it, and th

going," Levi replied, his voice laced with

ight, Levi paused, glancing back to

rt," she admitted,

skipping a beat. "You wa

said, giving him h

way. With a grin, he sco

vi asked, his gaze

ith replied, her enth

s arms and whisked her toward his car. The drive

at her expectantly. But there was no reply. "Lilly?"

fast asleep, her features relaxed and beauti

miration and worry washing over him

oice, he decided to tak

ng a soft blanket over her. He hesitated for a moment, watching her pea

unspoken sparked between them-a prom