The marine stopped directly in front of her and did a startlingly sexy stripper move. She could tell Carter Holbrook's good breeding in the way he walked. He didn't have a decade of stress lines on his face, his teeth were straight and white, and his hair, as long as it could be while still being within regulations, was glossy.
Though she considered herself a grizzled veteran of the Camp Les DesChamps bar scene, Allie blushed when Carter looked straight at her, a bedroom look in his eyes that promised pleasure. He gave her a mock salute then did a backflip off of the bar.
"Wow," she said into the microphone, hoping no one noticed the squeak in her voice. "Looks like someone isn't drunk enough!"
The marines all hollered.
"Someone buy this man a drink, and then I'll make my decision." She jumped off of the bar and helped Stacy fill more drink orders.
"Who are you going to pick?" Stacy asked her.
"Me, obviously," Carter Holbrook said, pushing his way in front of the bar. He passed her ten one-hundred-dollar bills. "A round for everyone!" he yelled over the din of the bar.
Allie started pouring drinks, pointedly ignoring Carter. He reached a hand over the bar to grab for her.
"No!" she said and smacked him on the hand with a metal spoon.
"Ouch!" he yelped, jerking his hand back.
"Don't reach over my bar," she growled and gestured threateningly with the spoon.
"Yes, ma'am."
After the drinks were distributed, Allie grabbed the microphone and climbed back up on the bar. "It's that time of the night, boys. I'm going to declare a winner. We had a great showing tonight, and I can tell no one's been skipping PT."
"Who's the winner?" someone yelled out.
Allie smirked—she loved drawing this out.
"And after much careful deliberation, the winner is…"
All the lights in the bar came on. The marines hissed and shielded their eyes.
"Hey!"
"What the—" her patrons cried.
Several firemen pushed their way inside.
"Clear out!Clear out now!" The head marshal pushed his way through to Allie and gestured for her to give him the microphone. "Everyone needs to go back to base," he announced over the sound system. "This bar is over capacity. All of you need to leave immediately."
He handed the microphone back to Allie.
"Sorry, boys. You heard the fire marshal. Everyone settle your tab and exit, please, in an orderly fashion."
As the marines either filed out of the bar or lined up to pay, she and Stacy hurried to settle any remaining tabs.
"Who won?" Carter demanded, cutting in front of the line.
"Contest was canceled," she said while mentally trying to tally one man's total.
"But—"
"You’ve already paid, so leave. Now," she ordered.
Carter looked at her petulantly. "I would have won. I want my kiss."
"Out!" she yelled.
