“Scott.” I returned his shake, ignoring how his eyes were lingering over my cleavage. “Well, if there’s anything else we can do for you, be sure to let one of my staff know.”
“Wait, you’re going? I thought we might spend some time together. Not every day I get to meet such a powerhouse. Well, to be honest, I do get to meet powerhouses most days, but none are as pretty as you.”
Snore.
Really, Scott? That was the best you could do?
I really hoped he had a huuuuge penis, because if his dates were looking for stimulating conversation this evening, they were going to be shit out of luck. “And now we’ve met, so—”
“C’mon, Presley. You going to make me beg?” He leaned in, keeping his voice low so no one else could hear him. “I can see charm isn’t going to do me any good here, so I’ll be straight with you. I have a business proposition. You hear me out, and I promise, you’re going to be interested. And if not, I’ll sit down and run up my bar tab and enjoy my female company. Either way, you can’t lose.”
And as much as I hated to admit it, he definitely had my attention. I was used to guys asking me out, trying to slip a hand here or there, and even propositions of a different kind. Rarely did men want to talk business, especially on the floor of my club.
My eyes glanced to his dates, their lips pouting with disappointment that he was no longer sandwiched between them. And because I didn’t intentionally embarrass my guests, and knew how to be discreet, I leaned in too. “Scott, let me be clear about one thing. Outside these doors, you might be a big deal. I’m positive you have more money than you could ever spend in a lifetime and are used to people telling you exactly what you want to hear. But this is my house, and in my house, there’s only one God. And you’re looking at her. So if you have business to discuss, you’ll have to set up an appointment like everyone else. I’m sure you have a person who can help you with that?” I moved back, lifting my brow and maintaining my smile.
“Yeah, I can do that.” His grin widened. If he was offended, he sure as hell wasn’t showing it. “By the way, you’re exactly how they described. You have a card?”
“I’ll make sure you get one before you leave. Have a good night.” I tipped my head to the waitstaff, letting them know his next round was on me.
It was why I was so good at what I did, able to balance diplomacy without being anyone’s doormat. Pity it didn’t always extend to my personal life. Which was why I usually ended up with a relationship that was a dumpster fire and a boyfriend who I should have avoided.
Of course, my night of meaningless sex with a nice guy hadn’t worked out so well either.
Sooooooooooooo.
“Shot him down, huh?” Bennett chuckled, sidling up beside me as I wandered out to the main part of the club. “You want to take a guess as to how long it’s been for him? I bet he’s still reeling from the shock.”
“Well, someone has to keep them humble. Think of it as a calling. Some people do missionary work, and I—”
“Annihilate egos,” he laughed. “Guess that’s why Ladder 49 is licking his wounds at the bar. Raelle lets them down easy.”
I didn’t want to look, ignoring the impulse to glance—just somewhere in the general direction—and see.
Casually.
Completely from a business point of view.
Leighton was still a guest, not to mention my brother’s best friend. And I wanted him to have a good time. Right? Right.
Given permission, my eyes briefly darted to the bar, and I was met by his icy blues aimed right back.
Like he’d been waiting.
But he wasn’t smiling like he usually was, his mouth occupied as he slowly knocked back a beer. He didn’t even pretend he wasn’t staring, watching me as his Adam’s apple bobbed with his slow seductive swallow.
“Do me a favor, Bennett.” My eyes stayed on Jared while addressing my head of security. “Tell Raelle I need to see her in my office when she has a minute.”
“And 9-1-1?”
“You know his name.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to use it.” He didn’t even try to hide how pleased he was.
I shook my head, not bothering to argue. Waste of time and breath, and I had bigger issues to deal with. “It’s a free country, unless he’s stepping out of line, no reason why he can’t stay.”
Bennett cleared his throat, making it obvious he wasn’t convinced. “Fine. We’ll let him stay. Can I toss out the mouthy blond at least? She’s been looking at my dick like she thinks she has a chance. Has to be high.”
“Melinda is harmless. Ignore her.” I shook my head, not sure why she had suddenly become a regular or why she was propositioning men. She’d flat out offered to blow Jared the night before. The look of disgust and shock was enough to make me laugh. There was a snowball’s chance in hell that would ever happen, and Jared was far from an altar boy. “I’m not sure what her angle is, but I’m assuming she’s looking for her ex-husband’s attention. Mack won’t make that mistake twice, so let her spend her money. Just keep an eye on her, and keep me posted.”
If there was a need, I’d escort her out myself, but other than being a pain in the ass and having zero class, she didn’t have any major infractions. And if I threw out every tacky annoying bitch, I’d have a half-empty club.
“Got it. I’ll let Raelle know.” Bennett gave me a two-fingered salute before disappearing into the crowd.
Against my better judgment, I glanced back over at Jared. His eyes hadn’t shifted, raking up and down my body like his hands had done last night. But he didn’t move, seeming to be recommitted to his vow of no-touchies.
Ugh.
Such a shame.
Because if he followed me back into my office, I wasn’t sure I’d stop him.
Sighing, because thinking about him and his hands got me hotter than I should be when I was on the clock, I walked back to my office and closed the door. My desk stood in testimony; the scattered papers strewn across its lofty surface reminding me exactly what I’d been doing before I left.
I’d barely sat down when there was a knock at the door, Raelle, clearing her throat on the other side. “You need me?”
The lock disengaged with a click, my finger still on the button by my desk as she yanked open the door and came inside. She didn’t wait for the invitation, taking a seat opposite me once the lock had reengaged.
“Let me guess,” she settled into the chair, her bright pink lips edging wide, “you need a ride home tonight?”
I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed I’d promised my stupid brother I wouldn’t go home alone even though I’d done it a million times before. “I don’t need the ride. I’m happy to call a cab or an Uber. But I’m positive Tibbs has someone watching to make sure I don’t leave alone.”
“He’s only doing it because he cares. Not saying I wouldn’t accept some of that concern if he were throwing it my way.” Her brows arched, hinting the concern she’d like was a little less platonic.
She did that a lot. Pretended she had deep, dark sexual fantasies about my brother to annoy me. But I knew who she really wanted was Bennett. So, instead of coming clean, admitting she had a thing for the guy we worked with, she went through an intricate charade where she told me she wanted to sleep with my brother, Justin.