I risked a glance at Lorenzo expecting anger, but once more his blank expression revealed nothing. Was he going to fire me? I opened my mouth to say something but as if he anticipated that, intelligent blue eyes, framed by thick, dark lashes silenced me with a look that could probably read my deepest darkest secrets. It took effort not to shrink away. A customer decided to brave the bar while Lorenzo sat there. I remained torn between serving him and helping Rayden get out of the dilemma I’d gotten us both into.
“Serve the customer, Zena.”
Lorenzo’s calm instruction solved the issue, but I couldn’t help noticing how the sound of my name on his lips hardened my nipples.Fuck.His deep velvety voice had me yearning for dark chocolate. Licking my lips, I moved away after throwing Rayden an apologetic smile.
Chapter 4
––––––––
LORENZO (31YRS)
Expecting him to cover his ass, I stared at the boy responsible for bringing me down to the bar for the first time since the club opened, years prior. His honesty, more so his calm response had me in complete awe. Either I wasn’t intimidating enough, or he had a lot more spunk than he portrayed. It seemed the girl was more nervous for him. Rightly so. I’d deal with her later. For now, I was intrigued to see how long the boy’s spirit would last. “So.” I made a point of taking my time. “How long have you been working for me, Rayden?”
“I don’t work for you.”
“Yet, here you are, behind my bar, serving alcohol to all these thirsty patrons.”
He opened his mouth to say something, seemed to think twice about it then pursed his lips together. With my elbows resting on the counter, I steepled my fingers below my chin and watched those green eyes roll over me as though sizing me up. I had to give him credit for not backing down. Folding his hands over his chest, he widened his legs slightly. I ran a slow gaze over his tall frame, fascinated by his defensive posture. Despite the longish hair that hung over his eyes and the collar of his shirt, his charcoal button-down, designer jeans and expensive shoes told me that he not only came from money but took pride in his style. Merging casual and formal perfectly.
“I was helping Zena out,” he replied, breaking my appraisal.
“And what qualifies you to help out?”
He frowned then had the audacity to shrug. “I know my shit, I guess.”
I heard Dario curse behind me. He knew I’d killed men for lesser insolence. Admittedly, it took effort to hold back my laugh. “Shall we test that theory?”
Rayden seemed to contemplate my suggestion and I waited for the kink in his armor to show. It didn’t. “What will it be?”
I cocked a brow. His confidence was refreshing. “Negroni.”
Without a word, he turned his back on me and set to work. The Italian cocktail didn’t take a genius to make and wasn’t easy to fuck up, but I’d seen people do it. I glanced away to find Zena’s eyes on me. Judging by her anxious expression, she was hard-pressed to refrain from helping Rayden. Close up, she was even more stunning. With smoky green eyes, short dark curls that played around her neck. A sexy body draped in a black mid-thigh skirt and baby pink tank displayed a diamond-filled belly button each time she moved. I wondered if they were dating. They made a handsome couple.
Rayden setting the drink in front of me, pulled my gaze back to him. “Stirred not shaken.”
I took a sip, not missing his smirk as I lifted the glass to my lips.Cocky bastard.“Not bad.” It was fucking good. My lips twitched but I didn’t give him the smile he expected. He’d surprised me with the knowledge that traditionally a Negroni was stirred, not shaken and constructed over ice as opposed to adding ice to the created drink.
