“Hey there, Jas.”
She doesn’t even look his way. “No.”
“Come on, babe. Don’t be like that.”
This makes her smile, until she looks up and sees me. “Who’s the virgin?”
I bristle, but remember I’m here on a mission. Instead, I smile sweetly at her, which makes her roll her eyes.
Razor replies, “My friend here wants a job. Think you can help her out?”
“You know I don’t make that call.”
“Is he in?”
She nods once before turning her back on us.
Razor says to me, “Come on. We’ll see if the boss is around.”
He leads me down a hallway, going to the last door on the right. It’s open, but he stops, knocking on it first.
“What?” A deep voice barks from inside the room.
“Sorry to bother, Saint. I have someone interested in the job.”
“Send her in.”
Razor smiles at me and says, “Good luck.”
He walks away leaving me standing in the hallway alone. I tug tag at my shirt, wishing Rabbit hadn’t cut off so much.
“Are you going to come in or stay out there all night?”
“Sorry,” I apologize, as I enter the office.
I stop dead in my tracks when I make eye contact with the man behind the desk. Holy. Crap. He’s… the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my life. Brown eyes with swirls of gold in their depths. Strong jaw covered in salt and pepper scruff. Strong everything, really. He’s wearing a black t-shirt that stretches, doing little to hide his muscles. Like Razor, his arms are covered in tattoos. One stands out, though. It’s a skull with angel wings. When he stands, I notice his jeans cling to his legs. Damn. This man is just big.
“Like what you see?”
His deep voice sends shivers down my back and makes me hyperaware of everything going on in the room. His cologne. The scent of cigar smoke lingering in the air. The rock song playing softly on the radio in the background.
“Well?”
I meet his gaze again and smile shyly.
“Got a name?”
“Olivia.”
He lets out a loud sigh, as if I’m boring him or taking up his precious time. Maybe both.
“Razor said you’re interested in the job?”
“Uh. Yeah?” I’m not sure why it comes out as a question.
“Ever bartended before?”
“No.”
He eyes me. “I’m guessing you’ve never been around a club before, either.”
“I’ve been to a club.”
“Darlin’, I don’t think we’re talking about the same kind of club here.” Laughing, he shakes his head. “You should go.”
I want to prove this man wrong, so I say, “I really need the job. Please.”
When I say please, his nostrils flare and I think I just may have an in.
“Fuck. I’m probably crazy for even entertaining the idea. Tell you what. If you survive tonight, you can have the job. Deal?”
“Thank you.”
He laughs, loud and deep. “Don’t thank me, darlin’. They’re going eat you alive. Tell Jas this is your audition.”
He looks back at the papers on his desk, and I know I’ve been dismissed. I try not to let it sting, but it does.
Making my way down the hallway, I go to the bar. Jas is leaning over the cherrywood bar top, talking to a guy. He’s good looking, too. Tall. Built, which must be some kind of requirement around here. Brown skin with a golden undertone. Dark hair. Hazel eyes that twinkle when he grins.
When Jas sees me, she lets out a laugh. “You’re still here?”
“Saint said tonight is my audition.”
She shakes her head and says to the man, “Looks like I’ll be working double. There’s no way this chick is going to be able to keep up.”
He gives me a lazy look. “Never judge a book by its cover.”
“Whatever, Bash.” She cuts her eyes at me. “Are you going to hop back here or just watch me all fucking night?”
Squaring my shoulders, I go behind the bar.
She points. “It’s pretty simple. We’ve got beer, whiskey, and tequila. Serve the tequila straight, unless they ask for salt and a lime. Got it?”
“How much do we charge?”
“We don’t. Jesus. Do you have any idea how a club works?”
“Can’t say that I do, but I’m willing to learn.”
“If you happen to have a free minute, walk the floor and pick up any empty bottles or glasses. Also, if an ashtray looks full, dump it.” She goes on, “Biggest rule of all – don’t flirt with any of the guys. At all. No coy looks. Nothing. Got it?”
“I understand.”
“Good.” She throws a towel at me. “Wipe down the tables. We’re about to get slammed.”
I’m really starting to regret not asking Agent Hill what in the hell I signed up for. Any information would have helped, instead of being thrown blindly into this mess.
Making my way around the room, I wipe each table until they shine, and none of the men acknowledge me as I work around them. When I’m finished, I check the ashtrays and push chairs under the tables. Satisfied, I go back to the bar, where Jas is scrolling on her phone.
“I’m Olivia, by the way.”
“Guess what - I don’t care.”
“Wow.”
She answers her phone, walking away. I use this moment to look over the brands of beer, so I know what we have.
The man, Bash, comes back over and says, “Don’t let her get to you. She’s just pissed because Saint took her off the floor.”
“I’m not sure what that means.”
He grins. “She can’t fuck any of the guys. Not until Saint gives the go ahead.”
Oh. My. Good. God.
“She’s afraid one of the Prospects she has her eyes on will find someone else to fuck around with.” He shrugs. “If he moves on, guess she’ll know he wasn’t the one.”
I don’t even have a reply to this.
“Well, while I’m over here, can you grab me a beer?”
“Sure. What kind?”
He spouts off a name and I grab him a bottle, opening it, before sliding it toward him.
“Thanks, sugar.”
He takes off to a table where another guy sits and I can’t help but to notice how good his jeans make his butt look. Holy fuck. What is wrong with me? I know better than this! I don’t live by many rules, but the number one rule is to never mix pleasure and business. Ever.
“Did Jas not tell you the rules?”
Spinning, I find Saint scowling down at me. He’s even sexier when he’s pissed, and I resist pushing his buttons a bit more.
“She mentioned a few.”
“Did she not tell you the guys are off limits?”
“She did.”
“Then why the fuck are you making doe eyes at my guy?”
He nods his head in the direction Bash went.
“I wasn’t-” And then I think maybe I’ve misread the situation. “Oh gosh. He’s your boyfriend? I really didn’t mean any disrespect.”
His mouth opens and closes. Twice.
“Just do the fucking job.”