Sianna
“ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDINGme?” A week after that God-awful interview, I stared at my aunt, wishing for the earth to open and swallow me whole. We stood outside the house next to my car, currently stuffed with boxes containing all my belongings. “How could you do this without discussing it with me?” I scowled at the rotund woman, who at this precise moment, resembled Shrek’s twin.
Her thick pink lips parted in a malicious smile. “I don’t have to discuss anything with you. This is my home, and I can do whatever the hell I please with it.”
I bit my tongue, holding back the torrent of words threatening to surge past my lips. The woman was pure evil, yet my upbringing prevented me from unleashing my wrath on her. Anyway, what good would it do? There was just no arguing with her. Shaking my head, I swung around and hurried away at a brisk pace, unsure where I headed. When I was certain I could speak coherently, I dialed my cousin.
“Hey, sweetie,” he answered on the second ring.
“Are you still in the city? Do you feel like a drink?” I couldn’t keep the irritation out of my voice.
“What did she do now?”
I stopped walking and stared down at the sidewalk. Distracted, I ran the toe of my sneaker along a crack in the concrete. “Let’s just say I need a place to stay.” My cousin was moving out of the area, and that didn’t bode well for me. He was my one source of comfort.
“Oh, shit, Sianna.” Ruvash sighed. “I have a show this evening. Give me an hour or so, and I’ll make a plan. I’m sure the guys won’t mind you bunking with us. I’ll call you after. Okay?” Ruvash worked at a Burlesque bar in the city that offered good old-fashioned cabarets every two days. The drag musicals were a big hit, especially my cousin’s performances. He had a considerable following.
When the call disconnected, I shoved the phone in my jacket pocket and glanced around. I’d walked further than expected. Hoydens was on the other side of town, and I needed something to quell the misery I found myself caving into. I eyed the bar across the street from me. It was some fancy place I hadn’t been to since one drink would probably cost half my paycheck, which was currently non-existent. I laughed at my absurdity. Maybe I should walk in there, just to feel good. Spoil myself with one drink or charm some handsome man into paying my bill. Shaking my head, I turned away. A couple of steps down, I stopped. “Fuck it.” I had nowhere to go, and I needed a drink.
Inside, I had no idea what to expect. Apart from lots of teakwood paneling, crystal chandeliers, marble counters, and glass tables, it was pretty much like any other bar. The patrons were mainly suited men, with the occasional woman seated between them. I shrugged at the few skeptical squints my simple shirt dress, faded jacket, and sneakers received, and headed for the main bar. I took a vacant seat at the corner, away from the attentive looks some of the men sent my way.
“First time here, right?” I glanced up, immediately calmed by the attendant. She looked to be around my age, and her welcome smile was a relief. “What it’ll be?” I surveyed the rows of bottles on the glass shelves behind her and smirked. “You look like you could do with a tequila or two.” She grinned. I nodded.
Pretending I was engaged in my phone, I kept my gaze downcast until the bartender returned a minute later. When she placed ten shots of tequila in a neat row in front of me, I gawked at her, my bewilderment evident. “What the—”
She laughed. “The first two belong to your tab and the other eight. Two from each of the four gentlemen there.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder.
I peered behind her. A group of four men, ranging in height and smiles, tipped their glasses at me. Laughing, I mouthed, “thank you.” I should come here more often. As the thought crossed my mind, I picked up the first glass, toasted the four men still looking at me, and downed the shot before my nerves betrayed me. When the bitter liquid hit my palate, I shivered and sucked on the lemon. Glad the men decided not to approach me, I engaged with the bartender, loving her confidence and easy smile while I drank.
“Hey, sweetheart, you look like you could do with some company.”
I glanced up at the idiot with his thick black glasses and thinning hair. Thomas Crawford came to mind. Only, he was slightly better looking than the swaying drunk in front of me.
“No, thank you.”
He stared at me, reminding me of a snake ready to snatch its prey. Snakes don’t have eyelids, right? I grinned at my silliness. Perhaps I was a lot more drunk than I thought, considering I’d tossed back five tequilas one after the other in the last fifteen minutes. For an occasional drinker, that was serious floor spinning waiting to happen.
“Give me two reasons why I can’t buy you a drink.” He leaned closer.
I reared back, lifting a brow at his persistence. “Well, the first would be that I already have a drink, many to be exact.” I pointed to the five shots waiting to be downed.
“And the second?” He blinked profusely, trying to focus, then frowned at something behind me.
A puzzling hyperawareness skated down my spine before a strong, possessive hand slipped around my waist. “She’s with me.” I glanced up, recognizing the deep, commanding voice, even before I saw his face. “You’ve been waiting long, Princess?”
Princess?My eyes flared for just a second. Okay, I liked it. My very own Prince Charming to the rescue. Again. I liked that even better. “Yes.” I had the sudden urge to lick his smiling face.Oh, God, I am so drunk.
“I’m sorry I’m late. You look beautiful as always.” He leaned forward to kiss my cheek, and the heat from the tequila had nothing on the fire in my belly that little gesture initiated. Wisps of his spicy cologne floated through the air, stealing the limelight. I squeezed my thighs with an inaudible moan. He turned to the man. “What are you still doing here?” There was no mistaking the controlled authority in that dangerously low voice.
