“How many drinks do you get on a shift?”
She lets out a laugh and then shrugs. “I don’t know exactly, but it’s more about the tips than the beverages.”
The honest answer hits me in the chest. “How much would it take to get you off the floor tonight?”
Her eyes widen and she looks around. “Is there a problem? I’m sorry, I can bring you a shot, you just didn’t—”
“What would I have to pay to get you to take the night off?” I cut her off, but I don’t care.
She relaxes a little and shrugs one shoulder. “Oh no, that’s not an Ember question, that’s a Neil question.”
“That's your boyfriend?” I don’t like how my jaw aches when it pops.
“That’s my boss, who is right over there watching our interaction.” She reaches out and puts her hand on my arm like we’re deep in a pleasant conversion. “If he thinks you're angry, which honestly you look like you’ve been chewing on nails, he’ll probably give me the night off permanently.” She smiles so big it’s almost fake as she leans into me. “Pretty please with a cherry on top, if you don’t want me to be homeless, let me get back to work.”
I quickly glance back behind us to see the skinny blond manager leaning against the bar talking to someone but watching us.
She lets go of my arm and steps back, and I don’t like the distance between us. “I’ll grab you another drink and be right out.”
“Your name tag says Cherry.” Why am I speaking like I’ve just learned English? “You called yourself Ember.”
She flushes, and I’m treated to seeing her tits bounce as she goes up on her toes to reach the cocktail cherries.
“I can keep a secret if you can.” She pops a cherry into her mouth and winks.
How does she keep getting the best of me? “What time do you get off?”
“You wouldn’t want me to break more than one rule tonight, would you?”
I press my lips together so I don’t tell her yes. I glance down and see one of the snaps of her corset has already popped the stitches. A few more hours and who knows how many more will go. Could I really leave knowing any second those big beautiful tits could be on display?
“So it’s not about the desire, it’s about the permission?” I cock my head to the side, and she nibbles on her bottom lip. I wait a heartbeat before I nod and take a step back.
As I make my way over to the bar and to her manager, I feel her eyes on me. If I can’t get her off the floor, I might as well get her alone.
Chapter Three
Ember
“What the hell was that?” Diamond asks as she comes up beside me at the cocktail bar.
He’s still talking to Neil, but they’re too far away for me to hear what they’re saying. What in the world is he doing? I pray he’s not getting me in trouble, because he backed off when I told him I needed this job.
“I don’t know.” I’m not sure what the hell our encounter was.
He all but chased me out of the poker room. One second he looked like he wanted to throttle me and the next like he wanted to have his way with me. It’s confusing and maybe a little exciting too. I bite the inside of my lip so I don’t fidget.
“He keeps looking over here.” I knock her with my elbow, not wanting him to hear what we’re talking about.
Scott places the next round of drinks on my tray. “Thanks,” I tell him as he stares at my boobs then winks at me.
I reach down and try to pull my corset up some more, but it’s no use. Scott’s been flirting with me since I got here today even though last week when I was in training he didn't even notice me. As sexy as this outfit is, it’s also a little annoying that no one noticed me before.
“We’ll talk about it tonight,” I tell Diamond, not wanting anyone to overhear us.
“Fine, but don’t go home with a customer.” She points one of her spiky blue fingernails at me.
“Dia!” I hiss under my breath. “When have I ever gone home with someone?”
“Well, that’s kind of my point. We’ve lived together for over six months now, and you haven't gotten any action. So I’m guessing that hot man over there is looking extra juicy.” I don’t follow her gaze to him even though I want to.
“I’m not going home with anyone,” I hiss as I pick up my tray. “We’ll talk later.”
“Now he’s glaring. Wait a second, is he pissed at you?”
This time I can’t help myself, and I glance over my shoulder to look at him. Yep, he’s glaring, but he still looks so hot. He towered over me even with my heels on. I only came up to his chest and I wondered if he was a football player. Standing in front of him, I felt dainty and small.
“I have no idea what I did to him.” I take my tray and go out on the floor to drop off the round of drinks. When I make it back to the poker room, the bachelor party is still in full swing. Except one person is missing. Could he still be talking to my manager? What could they have to talk about this long? My mind swirls with how he’s throwing me off. I should stay away from him.
I put his Scotch down in his spot so he’ll have it when he gets back.
“Where the fuck did Rogue go? It doesn't take this long to take a piss,” one of the guys says as he reaches over to Rogue’s chips and tosses in the ante for him.
“Can I get you boys anything else?” The bachelor at the center of the table looks like he’s had enough, and the night is young.
“I think we’re good,” the one who was sitting next to Rogue says and then smirks. He has the same dark hair and deep blue eyes as Rogue, making me think they’re related.
“Y’all have fun.” I smile brightly before I go check on my other poker table.
I already know they don’t want anything to drink. This one is all older men who are taking their game seriously and sipping on water. This table is going to be a bust tonight. At least the bachelor party is making up for it. They all dropped tips onto my tray as I served the last round.
I organize the money as I walk onto the main floor. It’s then I see a phone number on one of the twenties. I glance back to the tables and see the guy at the opposite end from where Rogue was sitting smiling at me, letting me know it’s his. This outfit must be some kind of weapon because I’ve never been hit on so much in my life.
“Cherry.” Neil waves for me to come over to him, and I don’t see Rogue nearby.
I feel a little disappointed about it, although if he went back to the poker room we would have crossed paths. I shouldn't be disappointed because he was kind of a dick. The last thing I need is to get fired over a man.
Neil's face looks pissed. His thin lips are pursed and a knot forms deep in my stomach. Oh god, did Rogue say something bad about me? Why else would Neil be mad?
“You’re off the floor tonight.” My heart drops. What the hell does that mean?
“What? Why? I didn't do anything,” I rush to defend myself. I can’t control what other people do. Especially if they’re two times bigger than me.
“Your area is slow. I’m going to have the other girls shift over to cover it. You’re taking a private room.”