I let my gaze travel in the same direction, and when my stare lands on four tall, tattooed, terrifying men, I freeze. Because one of the men is staring at me, and I know those stunning, pained eyes.
Xander.
Kian and Cash Savage are with him. I’ve met Kian a dozen or so times. He’s professional, kind, and always makes sure we have enough staff and supplies for whatever we need. I’ve worked a lot of jobs over the years, but Savage Entertainment is by far the best employer I’ve ever had. It’s the reason why I’ve found positions in three of their establishments.
Cash Savage has also always been nice, but he’s a bit more closed off than Kian, so I know very little about him. Cash stares at Jordyn, his gaze narrowed, like she’s the only person in the room, as he strides toward her.
I’m pretty sure Kian is single. Then there’s another guy with them who I’m guessing is the fourth brother, considering the men look like they are so in tune with each other that it’s impossible for themnotto be related.
“I told you he was a little possessive,” Jordyn says lightly, like there isn’t a group of scary-looking tattooed men walking in her direction. As soon as Cash gets to her, he grabs her ponytail and yanks it back, so she’s forced to look up at him, then he kisses her, hard and deep.
I want to look away. It’s inappropriate to watch other people kiss like that, but I can’t. It’s just so intense. And hot. I’ve definitely never experienced anything like that in my lifetime. Jason never touched me with that much urgency. Like he might die if he didn’t.
“You’re getting a spanking tonight before bed,” Cash mutters to her when they part. He says it quietly enough that I’m the only one who hears it because of how close I’m standing.
“Yes, Daddy,” she answers breathlessly.
My eyes shoot up to Xander, and I curse myself as soon as they do because he’s staring directly at me. Did he hear their interaction?
Daddy?
God, why is that such a confusing word? It shouldn’t make my pussy ache or my breasts tingle. Yet my panties are damp, and I’m thankful my bra has a little padding to hide my peaked nipples. Would Xander like being called that?
He studies me, his gaze dark and maybe a little regretful.
Good.
What he said to me was horrible.
It made me feel cheap.
Maybe he’s figured out where I came from, so he assumed I’d be the type of person to do something so despicable. It physically hurt my heart when he insinuated that I would use him. And perhaps it’s because of my own trauma from growing up, but still, he was an asshole, and I deserve better.
I turn to a different customer, glad the group of men Jordyn verbally castrated went to sit at a table. One of the cocktailservers will deal with them, but I’ll keep an eye on her to make sure they don’t give her a hard time. I can’t stand assholes like that.
“Hi, what can I get you?” I flash a genuine smile at the customer who’s waiting to order.
He smiles back and asks about our Scotch options before he orders an expensive bottle.
“I’ll have it right up for you,” I tell him after handing him his receipt to sign.
The music thumps, and the lights shift in the darkened bar as I pull a brand-new bottle from one of the shelves and pull the cork while surveying the bar at the same time.
“I owe you an apology.”
Uh, yeah. Ya think?
With my eyes on what I’m doing, I don’t say anything as I move back to the waiting customer. Smiling brightly, I slide the bottle and a crystal glass with an ice ball in it across the sparkling bar top.
“You have a beautiful smile,” the man says smoothly. I know I’m not the first bartender he’s given that line to. We get this shit all the time. We’re in one of the most beautiful and alluring cities in the US, and it truly is the city of sin.
Still, as I stare at the guy in front of me, with a clear tan line on his ring finger but no ring, out of the corner of my eye, I swear, Xander’s entire body tenses. He moves his gaze from me to the guy who is clearly trying to shoot his shot.
“Thank you! That’s kind of you to say. Have a great night and good luck out there!” I keep my tone light and friendly, but I move over to the next customer, making it clear to the man that I’m done with the conversation. And based on the deadly look on Xander’s face when I sneak him a glance, I’m glad the guy gets the hint and leaves with his bottle.
An hour passes, and when I check on Jordyn, she’s wrapped up in her husband’s arms. He stands behind where she’s sitting, like her own personal security guard.
“Oh, bestie!” Jordyn calls as she sees me approaching. “Meet my husband. This is Cash. Cash, this is my friend Quinn!”
