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He kept his palm on her hip as he stared down into her eyes.
“This is my family’s place, and I help to run it. We’re always looking for good, trustworthy and hardworking employees to run things. You have a knack with patrons of a specific caliber, that aren’t easy to work for.” he said to her. She knew who he meant. Those big shots, gangsters, or whatever they were that spent a lot of money and needed to be catered to.
“I appreciate the offer but I don’t think I could even consider it. As is I need Sunday to recover and I have off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but I help out a family friend at their café in town, as well as with promotional services.”
“You work at a café?”
“5:00 a.m. start Monday and Tuesday mornings.”
“Do you have debt or something?” he asked, eyes scrunched.
She chuckled. “No, I just like to keep busy. It keeps me out of trouble.” She said, not really wanting to share too much personal information.
When he stared past her and his hand tightened on her hip, she turned around surprised to see Ched Maloney, his friend Aiden and two other men. Vincent immediately seemed to take a protective position, pulling her closer to his side and against the bar.
“Ched, Aiden, good to see you.” He said and reached his hand out to shake theirs one after the next. Their eyes went from Vincent to hers, and then over her body.
“Annabella, what a pleasure seeing you here.” Ched Maloney leaned down and kissed her cheek and then Aiden did as Ched moved right next to her.
She was now surrounded by six men who seemed to be pretty important when they came to Gables, so she was nervous. She showed them the same respect she did while working. Definitely didn’t want to make enemies unnecessarily. They could go back and tell Griska, she wasn’t polite to them when they saw her here. She took a sip from her drink.
“Need a new one? Martini sweetie?” Ched asked and she still had a bit left.
“Yeah, she’s ready.” Aiden said and gave her a nod to finish what was left in her glass. These men were bossy that was for sure, and since she wasn’t working at Gables she really didn’t need to be so accepting of their bossiness. The best thing to do would be to go back to hang out with her friends. That’s what tonight was about.
“I like to sip and enjoy my drinks. You know, appreciate the idea of relaxing a little.” She said and then glanced up at Vincent who definitely was annoyed at this interruption.
She could feel his body was tense standing here and he went to shift her body when Aiden moved closer and she somehow wound up between the three men with nowhere to move. She drank down the rest of the martini and Aiden took her empty glass and Ched handed her a new one. From there on out conversation flowed nicely but then Ched was caressing her arm, Vincent was interrupted by one of the mangers for something.
“I’ll be right back.” He looked at her and she nodded.
“We got her Vincent, no worries.” Aiden said, and Aiden placed his hand on her hip and had to lean closer to talk to her because of the loud music.
It was obvious that they wanted to flirt but she wasn’t attracted to any of these men, and she really didn’t know them or what they did for a living, just that they were to get the treatment when they showed up at Gables. She reminded herself that she didn’t want to jeopardize her job in any way, so when she finished the second martini she made an excuse to leave.
“It was so nice talking to you gentleman, but I need to go meet my friends. We came here together to dance and have some fun.”
Ched gripped her hip and pulled her closer. He licked his lips and gazed over her breasts. “Do you really need to go? It’s nice to spend time getting to know you out of work, on private time.” He said and winked.
She pressed his hand from her hip as she placed the empty martini glass down on the bar behind him.
“I came here with friends. It’s been a stressful few weeks, new job, busy schedule, and all. Enjoy the rest of the evening.” She said to them.
“We’ll catch up in a little bit.” Vincent said.
“Sure.” She gave a wave and then made her way through the crowd and towards her friends.
As she moved, she glanced around the place and was shocked when she caught sight of Roman and a few guys. He was staring right dead at her and she didn’t like the feeling she had and she reacted, by smiling and giving a wave. The big guy looked surprised to say the least. She decided then and there that she was better off with her friends until thirty minutes later when they were in the center of the dance floor doing a sexy dance they did in college and drawing major attention to the seven of them.
“This place is awesome, and your friend said the drinks are on the house!” Maggie yelled to her.
“That guy Vincent is hot. Are you going to hook up with him?” Alexa asked her.
“No, I’m not hooking up with anyone.” She replied.
“But you were just surrounded a little while ago by some good looking guys. None of them peak your interest?” Maggie asked as they danced.
“Nope, and I’d like to keep the job I have.”
