I really didn’t want to like Stella, but I have to admit that having her as a close friend and confidant has certainly helped Sadie see light through this dark cloud. Her face has gained back its glow, and her presence radiates warmth again. The admiration stops there as she upends a box of multicolored candy hearts into her palm, reading the little scribbles of love before she’s shoveling the whole handful into her mouth. I supposed even Stella can’t get her to consume candy at a normal, human rate. Preferring to eat her gummy clusters and candy hearts like a feral trash panda. She unceremoniously shakes the box before peering inside, counting how many she has left before she needs to restock.
“Trust me, he liked the outfit,” I say, feeling the smile stretch across my face. “I bet you ten boxes of candy hearts that he comes back in here with cotton candy,” I wager to my sister, eyebrow notched.
“Ten boxes? Of the real ones, not the knock-off brand you got last time,” she scolds me, remembering the last batch I ordered that weren’t very conversational. I think one of them just said “No”. Personally, I liked it, but apparently it was asubpar candy selection. Sue me, it’s hard to find candy hearts in the middle of summer.
With a dramatic eye roll, “Yes, the real ones. Be mine forever and all that other crap.”
Sadie and I make our way out the door to the floor for my usual perusal of guests, chatting and mingling like tonight isany other regular night. Colton meets us right as the office door is closing, arms carrying his tablet and phone, but no cotton candy in sight.
“Ha! No cotton candy, I want the dirty set this time ‘sis,” She strolls by, leaning up to clap Colton on the shoulder, calling him an idiot but thanking him for playing as she makes her way behind the bar area to her intel cave.
“You owe me ten boxes of candy hearts!” I practically shout at him, looking down at my outfit, oddly self-conscious of my pick as I shift nervously. I was sure this outfit was worth him indulging in his little distraction tactic.
He wasn’t exactly sneaky with the cotton candy. His hands would fidget or his jaw would clench and then he would disappear for a few minutes, returning with a pink or blue fluff, shoving it into his mouth. Did I start playing into it? Nooooo. That would be mean. Did I keep track in my head of how many times he had to visit the bar? Yes of course. I’m no Saint.
He looks me up and down and then to where Sadie disappeared before swiveling his attention back to me and my objectively stunning outfit. Proof men are all idiots.
“You made a bet on my reaction?” he asks, voice low as he steps closer.
I nod once.
He takes another step.
“You wanted to know what I think of this?” He takes another step closer, towering over me, a finger reaching out to brush against the fabric that grazes my thigh.
My breath turns shallow, whether from the corset or the way Colton leans down to whisper in my ear I can’t say for certain. But I was breathing just fine a minute ago.
“Sunshine,” he says, the nickname coming out slightly pained before he pulls his hand away and takes a step back. Then another.
He looks over his shoulder, directly at the camera pointedin our direction from the bar before turning back to face me, grinning andsmug.
“What’s so funny?” I ask him, confused how I feel self-conscious and he’shappy.
Then the little shit sticks his tongue out at me, a bright blue streak running down the middle confirming my victory. The victory he’s purposefully making sure Sadie can’t see as he faces me instead of the camera.
I can feel the growl before its audible, thrumming through my body as I take measured steps towards him. Only for him to step back with each of mine.
“You little?—”
“Tsk tsk, Sunshine. You have guests who need your attention.” I look around and realize he’s walked us right into the line of sight of the audience, knowing I won’t act on anything with this many scrutinizing eyes watching.
I run my hands over the layered bodice, calming my breath as Colton circles to stand at my back, safe for now. He leans down to my ear, as if he’s trying to be heard over the music.
“Don’t worry, Sunshine, I‘ll make sure my tongue is ready for you later.”
It’s going to be a long night.
It’slike any other night.
The performances on stage go off exactly as planned, no hitch in sight. Patrons are steadily led from their tables into private rooms, only to be returned sated and blissed out. The drinks flow and the music pulses.
It’s like any other night.
Large plastic sheeting was just rolled out onto the floor of my office, brought in surreptitiously and tacked down. The staff doesn’t even blink an eye.
A normal night.
Wade came to find me about ten minutes ago, letting me know the package was on the way, two of his men on transport duty.
