“Just a shot of Macallan will do it,” he replies. His voice is like gravel. And his dark eyes are pinned to me. “You’re new.”
“Yeah, I just started last night.” I set the glass on the bar, then reach for the bottle and pour. “I’m Lulu. And you are?”
“Intrigued,” he replies.
“That’s smooth.” I wink at him. “Does it work with all the girls?”
He barks out a laugh and shoots the whiskey back. “I’m Carson.”
“Nice to meet you, Carson. Would you like another?”
“Better not. I’m working tonight.”
I blink at him. “Oh, do you work here?”
That smile returns to his handsome face, but it looks foreign on him, like he’s too mean to smile so much.
“Would it disappoint you if I said no?”
“Why would it disappoint me, Carson?”
He leans in. “Because then I wouldn’t be here on the regular to rock your world in one of the private rooms. Or are you more of an exhibitionist? Would you rather I bent you over one of the couches in the playroom?”
I tip my head to the side, watching him, not backing down an inch. I’m not at all attracted to him sexually. Definitely not like I am Rome. And he makes me…uneasy.
“I don’t think I’d take you up on any of the above, if I’m being honest.”
I hear a chuckle behind me and turn to find Rita tugging on her apron.
“Leave my girl alone, Carson,” she says with a good-natured smirk. “She’s not your type.”
“Why not? She’s fucking hot.”
“Rome saw her first,” she says, and Carson leans back in his chair as if he’s putting space between us.
What the hell does that mean?
“Pity.” He shakes his head. “Well, it’s time to get to work. Have a good evening, pretty Lulu.”
He raps his knuckles on the bar, and then he’s gone. I turn to Rita with a frown.
“What do you meanRome saw me first?”
“Just that.” She winks at me but doesn’t elaborate, which is not helpful. “Now, get back to work. Looks like Blondie over there needs her second martini.”
“Why do we have a two-drink max?” I ask.
“Because the things that go on in the playroom would be dangerous if people were sloppy drunk. Thisway, they can lower their inhibitions without getting out of control.”
I nod as it all makes sense. “I like that.”
“Good.Alwaysremember the number one rule.”
“Never serve anyone more than their allotted two drinks.”
Rita smiles like I’m her favorite student. “You’ve got this, girl.”
Eleven
