“Ha.” I laugh again, but everyone else at the table ignores the two of us.
“You can thank me anytime you want,” she says with a shrug.
I’m captivated by her and can’t stop staring at her. The waitress drops off our food, and I realize I’ve been staring a bit too long at Shayne.
She pops a fry into her mouth and her thigh nudges mine. “You’re so serious all the time.” She pops another fry into her mouth and I watch her chew and swallow. “You should loosen up.”
My mind swirls with her remarks. I should loosen up? “It’s my club. Wanting it to be perfect is too serious?”
Shayne drops the fry she’s holding in her hand and blinks at me. “Damien, life’s too short. Take a deep breath.”
Axel laughs. “Damien doesn’t do deep breaths.”
“Shut up, man,” I say back. And then I close my eyes, and I take a few deep breaths. I don’t feel any different, but I smile. “There.”
“Feel better?” Shayne asks.
“Sure.”
She raises a brow, not believing me for a minute. “I don’t know. Look at your shoulders.” She touches my shoulder and I tense at her touch. She backs her hand away. “Sorry.” Shayne returns to her food, taking a bite of her sandwich and then saying something to Emma.
I’m not listening. Instead I’m focused on the energy between us. I can feel it. Can she feel it too?
Her leg brushes up against mine again and I have to cling onto the air in my lungs. I take another deep breath, thinking about what she said about letting loose.
Under the table, I place my hand on her thigh.
She freezes, and I brush my fingers over her jeans. I’m waiting for her to knock my hand away but instead she spreads her legs just a tiny fraction. But, that’s all the invitation I need. I trace my fingers around her knee, and then move them up a little.
She sucks in a breath.
“Is this loose enough for you?” I whisper into her ear.
She doesn’t respond. But, she doesn’t have to. I can tell she’s enjoying this as much as me by the way she’s breathing. All short and quick breaths.
I decide to move my hand up, inching closer to the inside of her thigh.
“What are you doing?” she whispers so no one can hear her.
“I’m not really sure.” Mainly because I’m not. All I know is the need to touch her overwhelms me whenever she’s this close.
“So, Shayne was great tonight. Don’t you agree, Damien?” Axel asks.
I shake my head, remembering where I am. “Well…” I don’t finish my thought.
“I’m happy to be working there,” Shayne cuts in.
“Well, you don’t actually work there.” My hand doesn’t leave her thigh. “Remember we said only on a probationary period for tonight.”
“I think she did great,” Ben says, eyeing me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Did you see her spill on the mayor?” Sure, I know mistakes happen. But, I can’t have Shayne work at the bar. Look at me right now, I can’t get my traitorous hand to get off her fucking thigh. I can not have her around.
“It was one little hiccup,” Shayne argues.
“It was a pretty big hiccup,” I counter.
“Well sometimes we make mistakes.” Shayne squeezes her thighs together, making my eyes flash to hers.
“I just think Shayne is a good addition to the club. She handled the bar like a pro. I need to get this one home.” Ben nudges Clara, when she doesn’t move he picks her up and carries her out.
“I agree. Welcome to the family, Shayne.” And with that Axel helps Emma up, leading her out as she weaves through the restaurant.
“See, you need me,” Shayne says once we’re all alone at the table.
“Do I?” My hand moves further up, already feeling the heat between her legs on my palm.
“Yep, see you tomorrow. Thanks for dinner.” She scrambles up, knocking my hand off in the process as she speeds out the door my brothers just exited.
I rub my hand over my face, realizing she’s going to be a problem, and my brothers just stuck me with the bill. My hand is still hot from touching her, and my cock strains so hard against my pants I think I heard a seam rip.
Her face was so smug when she mentioned mistakes in the bar. If she thinks what happened is going to be a one time thing, then she’s in for a rude awakening. I’m not nearly done with her. She works at my club. She refuses to let me fire her. In terms of war, she’s just declared herself the enemy.
5
Shayne
The dull bass mingles with the rowdy crowd. As soon as the music is recognized, the crowd goes wild, fighting to get closer to the stage. My heart speeds up almost matching the music. This is the fourth night I’ve worked at The Trifecta and this song has now officially ruined me for any other song.
It’s “Bad To The Bone.” And for the past few nights I’ve had to watch as Damien shakes his hips making me want to claw at his chest like every other ravenous woman in this joint.
My thighs clench as the beat starts, indicating the magnificent Trifecta is about to hit the stage. In just a moment, I’m going to be face-to-face with Damien as he rips off his clothes to reveal his rock hard muscles.
Every night they come on stage to get the crowd in a frenzy of lust. The amount of money thrown at them makes my head spin. My student loans would be a thing of the past if I could pull in what they’re making, but damn, if they don’t work for it. I contemplate taking up Sindy and Lacey’s offer. It would be a lot easier to dance than it is bartending for a stubborn jackass I have the hots for.
Ben and Axel grind on stage, but my eyes are glued to the curtain.
Watching.
Waiting.
Wondering when Damien will come onstage. The bass drops along with my stomach. After four days, I’ve memorized the cues in their routines. This particular bass drop brings the person who’s kept me up tossing and turning at night to the forefront of my vision.
Damien enters as the crowd erupts, having all three of the Trifecta to ogle at. They’re perfect specimens of men, and the crowd lets them know it. Their dark hair all tousled and out of control, their piercing green eyes, and don’t get me started on the absolute perfection of their abs. Even though they’re identical, Damien’s the one I’m drawn to.
“Can I get a whiskey sour?”
I jump at the voice. I didn’t see the customer approach since all my focus is on a certain infuriating man.
“I’ve got it. You keep on staring at the boss.” Eddie winks at me as he pulls out a glass.
Heat crawls up my neck, taking residence on my cheeks. I open my mouth to argue that I wasn’t watching the show, but it’s useless. Eddie’s already onto another customer and charming her as he flips bottles around.
I’m not going to look at him.
No more.
Finished. I’m done lusting after the asshole. I sweep the bar, hoping to see a thirsty woman in need of a complicated drink, but I’m out of luck. Everyone’s focused on the sexy men thrusting their hips on stage.
I’m not going to look.
I’m not going to look.