The pressure on my chest becomes too much to bear, and I blink, severing the invisible string that connected us in the moment. The surprise falls from his face, and a small, confident smirk takes its place.
Holy shit on a cracker. That smile needs to come with a warning label.
A flutter ripples through my stomach and shoots straight to my core. I’m no stranger to sex, but when these feelings are my choice, I feel empowered.
Adding a subtle sway to my hips, I strut straight to the end of the bar, where he meets me. His eyes track my approach with predator-like precision, and a satisfied smile graces my lips.
“Well, hello. What’s your name, Sunshine?” He has a southern twang in his voice that tells me he grew up here.
As I stride closer, the heady scent of sea salt entwined with bergamot makes me feel like I’m in need of a sunny beach day.
“Raven,” I answer. “I’m looking for one of the owners.”
His eyebrows raise in amusement. “No shit? Raven walks into The Wandering Raven. Sounds like the start of a joke.”
“Trust me, I’m well aware.” I chuckle.
“Your flirting needs some work,” the man nursing his drink comments.
My cheeks turn pink, thinking his remark is meant for me.
“Oh, shut up, Benny. You’re just jealous that she wants to talk to me and not you,” the bartender shoots back in good fun.
“Are you the owner?” I question.
He folds his arms across his chest in a self-satisfied manner. “One of them, yes. I’m Griffin. What can I do for you, Sunshine?”
Handing over my resume, he releases one arm to take hold of the paper. “I’m looking for a job,” I inform him.
Griffin takes a quick glance over the paper, not seeming to read it at all, and earnestly says, “You’re hired.”
“Are you sure?” I sputter. I had this cool persona going until he threw me off with this immediate hire. “Don’t you want to ask me some questions first?”
“Right. Sure.” He frowns and thinks it over. “Nah. I’m good.” Griffin winks, causing my panties to flood. His looks were enough to make me want, but his charm is a whole different game.
“Um. Well, at the moment, I can work days. Give me a week, and I’ll be able to work nights. I have some experience waitressing at another club called Euphoria. You’re more thanwelcome to call the manager there.” I don’t disclose that the “manager” who will answer the phone is actually going to be Dahlia.
“Perfect. So, like I said before, you’re hired.” His sexy smirk seems to be permanently etched into his face. Not that I’m complaining. However, I don’t think it’d be a good idea to have a one-night stand with my boss. Plus, as soon as I accomplish what I came here to do, Noah and I might have to move somewhere else.
“You’re only hiring her because you think she’s pretty,” Benny chimes in crossly.
Griffin ignores him.
“Don’t you need more information from me?” I question.
“Nope,” he responds. “You start next week. Stop by tomorrow or the next day to fill out some paperwork, and you’ll be good to go.”
I nod my head. “Well, okay. I’ll do that then. Thanks!”
As I walk out, I hear Benny say, “You’re just doing this because you want to get in her pants.”
“So?”
I squirm as the door shuts behind me.
Maybe I’ll have time to play while I’m here…
CHAPTER FOUR
