“Busy is good,” she replied. After serving a customer, she collected a dirty glass and tossed the wet napkin into the trash.
A plump man with beady little eyes approached the bar. “Are you Mistress White?”
I rested my hands on the bar. “Yes.”
He swallowed hard, the look of anticipation unmistakable. “I want a beer, and I want it now.”
He didn’t really want a beer. He wanted to be a bad boy and get a scolding. I’d thought this would blow over after a day or two, but they just kept on coming. I stole a glance of Simone getting stiffed on a tip.
Screw it.
I gave him a sharp look. “Mistress White will give you a drink when she’s good and ready. Got it? Until then, I want you to ask Simone for the special. And if you tip her good, I’ll deal with you later.”
To my surprise, he obediently sidled to the left and ordered from Simone. She gave me a quizzical stare before walking over.
“And what exactly is our special?” she asked.
I dipped out of the man’s sight. “Whatever you want to give him. He’ll tip you really good, and if he doesn’t, let me know. Can you only put emotions in the glass or sensory experiences? Like him getting paddled real hard?”
A smile touched her lips. “I’ve got just the thing.”
I peered around her and noticed the man walking off. “Hey! Did I say you could leave? Sit your ass down like a good boy and take what she gives you. Do you want me to come over there? Because I will.” That caught the attention of a few interested parties nearby.
Simone arched an eyebrow. “You’re good at this. What did you do before you worked here?”
“This is my first real job, but I’ve spent my life in bars. I’ve just never been around people who liked me telling them off.”
She touched the shaved sides of her head. “It’s a different crowd here. Do you know Clyde?”
“Who?”
“The new server. That tall drink of Chitah over by the lounge.”
I followed her gaze to Claude. I’d almost forgotten his alias, one they made similar to his name. That way if I messed up saying his name, people would think I just heard it wrong. “I just met him. Why?”
“I saw you two chatting last night. It seemed a little… familiar.”
I grinned coyly and bit my bottom lip. “He’s cute. I don’t normally go for Chitahs, but have you seen his ass in those shorts?”
Simone reached inside her bra and lifted her breasts to make them appear larger. “Careful where you stake your flag. Flynn’s got his eye on Clyde.”
“You two dated, right? I thought he was straight?”
She reached on the shelf to my left and lifted a purple bottle. “Honey, Flynn dates anyone he thinks has money, and your golden boy over there is raking in the tips. I wouldn’t be surprised if Clyde has a sugar mama somewhere. Or a sugar daddy.”
“I doubt it. Who would take a job waiting tables when they’ve got a sugar-whatever at home?”
A grunt settled deep in her throat as she watched him strut across the room in his tight gold shorts. “We don’t get boys that pretty in here.”
Maybe Viktor had chosen the wrong team member, but who was left? I sure as hell couldn’t imagine Shepherd lumbering around in a pair of gold shorts, and Niko would be out of the question. Christian wasn’t allowed in the club, which left Wyatt.
Who just so happened to be walking up to the bar.
My throat went dry.
“I better take care of your naughty customer,” Simone said.
“What can I get for you?” I asked loud enough that Simone could hear. Then I leaned in closer to Wyatt and lowered my voice. “What the hell are you doing here?”
