The line manager checked his ID before reviewing his name against the list. “Go on in.”
The guy spun around and shot Evangeline a pointed finger. “See ya in there, beautiful.”
“You two together?” the line manager asked her.
“God, no.”
He laughed as he checked her ID against his electronic list. “A friend of our GM gets the royal treatment. Been here before?”
“First time.”
He offered his arm. “I’m Big D. Welcome to Uninhibited.”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to.”
“After the night we’ve had here, it would be a pleasure to escort a lovely lady inside.”
“Thank you.” Evangeline curled her fingers around his huge biceps. “A full moon always brings out the crazies.”
Big D escorted her inside and over to the bar. Despite the late hour, every table was filled and the bar was hopping. Evangeline appreciated the upscale décor, the beautiful artwork on the black walls, and the smartly dressed waitstaff.
“Thanks for the first-class escort.” Evangeline pulled out a twenty.
“You keep that,” Big D said and headed toward the front door.
“Hey!” Jessica called out from behind the bar. “We’re short tonight, so I’m helping out. Give me a sec and I’ll get you a vodka tonic.”
A couple paid their tab and left, so Evangeline slipped onto the plush, leather stool. At first glance, she liked the club and would have checked it out further, if she’d planned on playing there. But she’d put her kink days behind her when she moved north. In truth, the kink had been a passing curiosity. The man she’d played with had been the main attraction.
Jessica dropped a napkin and set down her drink. “You look hot, mama. Holiday party?”
“Mitus wedding.”
“Hey, my boss was there, too.”
“That leaves three hundred and ninety-eight other guests.”
Jessica laughed. “After the rush of last call, I might be able to snag us a table, so we can catch up.” She got busy making a customer’s dirty martini.
“Are you back in town permanently?” Jessica asked between making drinks.
“Just here for a work gig.”
“What are you doing for the holidays?”
“I’ve got family in the area, so splitting time between my mom and dad.” She shook her head. “The back and forth never ends.”
“At least they’re in the same town. My folks live five hundred miles apart. Thanksgiving with one. Christmas with the other.” The lights brightened a bit, then dimmed. “Hey, everyone,” Jessica called out. “Last call.”
The next fifteen minutes kept Jessica super busy, so Evangeline chilled with her drink. The woman sitting beside her left, revealing the guy from earlier sitting on the next barstool over. Ah, crap. Evangeline couldn’t look away fast enough.
The guy grinned. “Kismet, baby. That’s all I have to say.”
Evangeline wished that was all he’d say, but she had a feeling she was in for an earful. Turns out, she’d called it.
The man did not stop talking. One long run-on sentence. Where he worked, what he did, where he lived, and what his weight lifting routine consisted of. Motor mouth was giving her a headache. When he began pestering her for her name and suggested they hook up sometime, she’d had enough. She was about to leave when Jessica stopped in front of her.
“Whew, that was insane. Okay, so tell me everything.” She leaned forward. “Seeing anyone?”
“Me, if I play my cards right,” blurted the guy.
Jessica flicked her gaze to him, then back at Evangeline who just rolled her eyes.
Sin escorted the teary-eyed woman out through the employee-only entrance and made sure she got to her car safely. He hated being the heavy, but the young woman had screwed a patron while on her shift, so he let her go. The last thing he needed was to be accused of running a brothel.
On his way to the lounge, he did a sweep of the first-floor playrooms. Fortunately, they were all empty. Then, he asked one of his staff to check the private rooms on the second floor.
After entering the lounge, he counted over thirty members and guests. The place wouldn’t clear out for another thirty. As he made his way toward the bar, he spotted her, and heat suffused his chest. Evangeline was speaking with his GM while some douchebag ogled her.
An unexpected possessiveness came over him and a low growl rumbled in his throat. He stood behind the vacant barstool between Evangeline and the member. Jessica shot him a smile. “Whiskey or club soda?”
“Club soda.”
Evangeline looked over her shoulder. He loved how her eyes lit up, how she couldn’t hide her surprise. But it was the undeniable spark in her eyes that made him smile. I feel the same way.
“Mind if I join you?” Sin asked her.
“Hey, man, I’ve been talking to this fine lady. You need to find your own chick.”
As Sin steeled his spine, he glared at the man.
“Oh, God, not again,” Jessica said.
The man extended his hand across the bar toward Evangeline. “Can I get your name? Stalk you on social media?”
“No,” Evangeline replied.
“Can I call you a ride?” Sin asked him.
“I’m good, man, really. I’ve got this.”
“I’m the owner and I say you aren’t good. If the lady said no, she means it. Do not press your luck with me.”
Big D sidled up beside Sin. “Hey, boss, I called him a ride. Car is out front.”
The guy slid off the stool and backed away from both men. “I don’t want no trouble.”
“No, you don’t,” Sin said. “Put him in a car, D.”
The guy took a few steps and stumbled. Big D took him by the arm and escorted him out.
Sin turned his full attention on Evangeline. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
“I’ll take that whiskey, after all,” he said to Jessica. He pulled out the stool beside Evangeline. “May I?”
She couldn’t stop the smile and a wave of excitement passed through him. Damn, she’s something special. “Since it’s your club, I’m guessing you can sit wherever you want.”
Jessica snickered while pouring his Macallan, then got busy closing out the register. The lights brightened again and most of the guests headed out, taking their chatter with them. But that didn’t stop Sin from keeping his voice low, making sure their conversation remained intimate.
“I didn’t tell you how beautiful you look tonight,” he said after sipping the whiskey. “You look stunning.”
As her pupils bled black, she said, “Thanks.”
Pausing to sip their drinks, their gazes never broke. He hadn’t forgotten the details of her face. How light appeared to shine from her eyes, even in the dark. Or the dusting of light brown freckles on her nose. Or how she had four piercings that trailed up each earlobe, but he’d never once seen her wear earrings. He loved that she’d let her hair grow long enough to be able to pin it up. But all he wanted to do was unclip her hair and run his fingers through the soft dark waves.
Maybe it was the wedding. Could have been the lack of sleep, or that he had to terminate an employee. Might have been the members who didn’t know how to treat a lady. Or it might have been the death threat he’d received by text. Regardless of the reason, he wanted her to know the truth.