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“I’m not a junkie you bitch.” Nicole closes her eyes, shaking her head as if she’s over this conversation. “You know nothing about me, Shelia. You can sit back and judge me all you want, but at the end of the day this is my life and my choice. Stay out of it.” With that, Nicole, in a much more decent shirt, heads out of the dressing room.
“I’m sorry about her,” Shelia says. “I knew Jay would make her change, and she did, too. I don’t know why she keeps trying topush his buttons, but she’s always pushing the limits of his patience. He’s tried everything to help her, but she refuses to cooperate. Like she said, I don’t know her story, but I know Jay is a good man. He and his wife would help her if she’d allow it.”
We head back out to the bar where Jay is still talking with Luke and his bartenders. Luke turns as we approach. He looks me up and down with an appreciative gaze. I try but fail to keep the smile off my face as he takes his fill of me.
“Ah, Marley,” Jay says turning toward us. “Are you about ready to get started?” I confirm that I am. “I have few rules, but they’re steadfast.” I nod letting him know I understand. “First, be respectful to the customers, your co-workers, and yourself. I don’t tolerate rude behavior. Secondly, I won’t control your personal life, but I don’t tolerate my employees engaging in sexual acts with customers on my property. If you chose to leave with someone when your shift is over, that’s your decision, but it won’t happen at my place of business, and that includes the parking lot.” His voice raises, and his head turns in Nicole’s direction as he makes this last statement. She glares at him but turns back to the glasses she’s wiping down with a towel.
“Third, there’ll be no illegal activity happening or associated with this bar.” Jay’s voice remains hard. His eyes keep flitting to Nicole. “If I get even a hint of it, you’re gone.”
“Jay!” Luke’s voice sounds angry. “Marley would not do anything illegal. I don’t appreciate you speaking to her this way.” Jay’s face softens marginally as he turns to level Luke with an intense stare.
“I give this same speech to all my employees,” Jay answers calmly. “I don’t want there to be any confusion on anyone’s part where I stand on things.” He turns to look at me. “I don’t think you will do anything inappropriate, but I have to make my expectations known.”
“It’s fine, Jay,” I reply with a smile to let him know I’m not upset at all. “I completely understand. I’ll assure you, though, youdon’t have anything to worry about with me. Like I told Shelia, I’m friendly, but I don’t flirt with my customers, and I definitely don’t go home with them.” My eyes fly to Luke’s to see humor dancing in his eyes. He arches a brow at me. “Well, I did once, and he’s now my boyfriend, so, you don’t have to worry about me doing anything you wouldn’t approve of.” I look back at Jay to see him grinning at Luke.
“That’s good to know.” Jay slaps his hand down on the bar. Nicole jumps but doesn’t look in our direction. “All right then looks like it’s about time to get started.” I walk over to Luke with every intention of telling him goodbye until my shift is over, but he has other things in mind.
“Have a good shift, baby girl,” Luke says as I approach. “I won’t be in your way. I’ll just hang out over there in the corner.” He points to a table near the hallway that leads into the back.
“You’re staying?” I ask not sure I heard him right. He has to work tomorrow, and I have no idea what time I’ll be getting off work.
“Yeah.” Luke takes my hand pressing a kiss to my palm. “I’m staying. Bo and the others are coming in a little while to hang out for a bit. We haven’t been here for a long while, and they’re ready to blow off some steam.”
“All right if, you’re sure.” He begins to make his way over to the area he’d indicated. “Um, Luke?” I hurry after him. He stops and looks over at me. “You don’t have to stay until I’m off shift. I know you have to work in the morning. I can get a lift from someone.”
“No.” He turns and continues to the table. I follow because I don’t feel like this conversation is over just yet.
“No?” I ask when we reach the table. “What does that mean?”
“You won’t be getting a ride with someone,” Luke says calmly, despite my knowing he can tell I’m getting little frustrated with his short answers. He looks over at me as I follow. “I will be taking you home when you’re done.”
“You can’t babysit me every night I work,” I argue. “You have to work and you’ll need to sleep sometime. After a couple of shifts, I will have enough money to take an Uber or a taxi or something.”
“No.” Again, just one word. I scowl at him. It seems he didn’t believe me when I told him he wasn’t the boss of me.
“Luke, do I need to remind you I’m my own person? You don’t dictate my life.” I straighten my spine into my best, ‘I’m a tough, badass, woman’ pose. He has the audacity to smirk at me.
“I know exactly who you are, baby,” Luke returns, grabbing my wrist, pulling me onto his lap. “You’re my woman, and I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep you safe, at all times. Even if that pisses you off.” He takes my mouth in a deep, heated kiss, before I can argue back. He is by far the best damn kisser known to mankind. I lose my head when he kisses me like this. “Now, you better get to work before Jay decides to fire you for fraternizing with a customer.” He helps me to stand, swatting my ass to urge me to get moving. I begin to walk away a little dazed from his kiss, but I manage to compose myself enough to throw him a glare over my shoulder, which does nothing but make him laugh out loud.
LUKE
Iwatch Marley’s ass sway as she stomps off toward the bar. I realize more with every passing second she’s perfect for me. She’s just the right amount of independent sass, but still complies when I’m insistent. Jay strolls over toward me with a grin on his face and a couple of beers in his hand. He hands one to me. “So, it’s like that is it?” he asks as he takes a seat across from me.
“Yes,” I answer unashamedly. “She’s mine.”
“I’m happy for you,” Jay comments, twisting open his beer. “Am I going to have to run you out of here for distracting my waitress?” He chuckles.
“I’ll behave myself as long as no one gets too fresh with her,” I inform him, letting my sincerity bleed through in my voice. “Marley’s wellbeing is my first priority. I won’t be a problem, unless there is a problem.” Jay dips his head, taking a sip from the bottle in his hands.
“How long you been with her?” Jay asks. “I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone.”
“It’s a recent development,” I answer. “I’ve known her for over a year but hadn’t made a move, yet. However, recently, thingshave gotten really bad for her, and it became necessary that I act sooner rather than later.”
“Hmm.” Jay muses, taking another long pull from his drink. “Sounds serious. What do you mean by bad?”
“Someone has been trying to ruin her financially,” I begin. “They’ve emptied her accounts, deleted electronic payments, opened accounts in her name, and gotten her fired from her job. The tipping point was someone breaking into her home, destroying all her belongings, including paper evidence of her payments for rent and her car. Additionally, someone has been following her.”
“Is it going to be a problem for me? I have other employees to consider, Luke. You’re like a brother to me, but I don’t need you bringing trouble to my door.”
