“Give Lulu an hour off,” he says, but Rita shakes her head.
“Not happening,” Rita says, and then she turns her gaze to me and says only loud enough for me to hear, “Watch yourself, Lu.”
Flirting with customers is normal. Build a light, friendly camaraderie with them, and they tip well.
But I only have eyes for Rome, and I suddenly feel like I crossed a line I shouldn’t have.
Except I didn’t.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” I murmur back to her.
“Didn’t say you did. But that guy is rich, powerful, and doesn’t take no for an answer. Be careful.”
I nod and deliver his drink to him. “Have a good evening.”
He nods, slaps a hundred on the bar, then walks away. I let out a long breath.
“Ibarelyflirted with him,” I say to Max as he stops by me to fill a glass with water. “And that was only because I was in a good mood.”
“Babe, flirting is the name of our game. But some of the customers take it a little far. That guy, Aaron Pierce, is one of them. Have you heard that name, or are you too new to Vegas?”
“Too new.”
Max nods. “He’s the mayor.”
My eyes just about bulge out of my head. “Of thecity?”
“Yep.” Max gives me a stern look. “Smile, say hi, ask what they’d like to drink. Be cautious with complimentsunless you’d like to go to the playroom at some point.”
“I’m not here for that,” I reply, shaking my head.
Something tells me that would be a hard no from Rome, and unless it’s with him, it doesn’t interest me.
“That’s a good boundary to set right away.” Max nods.
“Do you play? On your nights off?”
“Fuck yes,” he says with a laugh. “But it’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. If you were into it, I’d invite you in.”
I blink at him in shock.
“I hate to break it to you, but you’re sexy as fuck, Lu,” Max growls next to my ear. “So if you ever change your mind, the offer stands.”
I lick my lips and offer him a smile. “Good to know.”
He winks and walks away to take another order.
Max thinks I’m sexy as fuck. Hmm.Can’t say that doesn’t give me confidence. However, I have a strong feeling that Rome would not like that one bit.
The night gets busy, and I’m starting to feel more self-assured with each order that comes in. Rita is definitely right about the clientele. They’re all loaded and know what they want. A few hours in, I turn around and see that Scarlett has sidled up to the bar.
“Well, hey! Do you want a drink?”
Scarlett wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. “No, thanks. Mr. Alexander asked me to come take you on an official tour since you haven’t seen everything yet.”
I glance over at Rita, who nods. “You’re good to go.”
Excitement courses through me. I admit, I’m curious to see the playroom, just to see what all the fuss is about. I’ve heard so much about it.
