I rolled my eyes at my eldest brother Jackson. Of course they weren't keeping me in the loop. I wasn't one of them any more. I hadn't been since that day they let me take all the heat fifteen years before.
Besides, I wanted to go back to looking at her.
I'd been staring at the waitress all night. Jesus, I'd never seen anything like her. Those huge green eyes, the startlingly pretty face, the lips. Never mind the jet-black hair, porcelain skin, legs that went on forever.
It was the voice that I hadn't been able to get out of my mind.
Husky and rich but utterly feminine. And with an Irish lilt that was somehow lyrical, soothing, and arousing. All at the same time.
I felt like I was tied up in knots, and I hadn't even taken the time yet to really check out those magnificent tits of hers.
Eleanor.
That's what her name tag said.
Unfortunately she had disappeared from the room again. Presumably to work, but it felt like she was hiding to annoy me. I shut my eyes, trying to conjure her up again. I could bear my brother's pompous yammering if I had something good to look at.
Not good. A-fucking-mazing.
Fuck it, might as well go and find her.
"I need another drink."
Jackson put his hand out to stop me.
"I think you've had enough Jake."
I shook his hand off with a sneer.
"Nice try brother. I don't take orders from anyone, least of all you."
I stood and walked toward the back of the room. That's where she kept disappearing to. The staff was probably having a party back here. That's what I would do if I worked here. Laughing at the rich people's expense.
Lord knows we deserved it.
I stumbled a bit on the downward slope of the hallway leading into the bowels of the kitchen. I wrinkled my nose at the smell. It must be where they rolled out the trash. I peeked into several storage rooms but didn't see her so I kept going. At last I pushed open a doorway and was confronted with fresh air and the smell of-Smoke.
I was about to turn around when I saw her.
There she was, about ten feet away. She was palming a smoke in the back alleyway behind the club.
"Here kitty kitty kitty kitty."
She lifted her face. She looked annoyed at the interruption. More than annoyed. Pissed. But Goddamn if she didn't look stunningly beautiful all the same.
"I'm not a damn cat."
I grinned at her, leaning against the wall.
"I know that."
She rolled her eyes at me, taking a drag of her smoke.
"What do you want then?"
I grinned at her happily. Just being out here talking to her was more excitement than I'd had in weeks. Months. Maybe even years.
Up close she was even prettier than I'd thought.
Too pretty almost. And full of piss and vinegar apparently.
This was going to be fun.
Elle
I felt shell shocked. All night this rich pretty boy had been eyeballing me, not even being subtle about it. I'd ignored him of course, trying to squelch the butterflies that flew around my stomach every time I'd walked through the main dining room.
Now I was face to face with the bluest pair of eyes I had ever seen. The same eyes that had been making me feel strangely on edge since I'd first laid eyes on him.
Those eyes were trouble. I knew that. Especially since they belonged to someone so rich, arrogant and handsome.
Too handsome.
"Tsk tsk, such a bad girl smoking on country club property. It's against the rules. Or didn't you know that?"
I gasped, dropping my smoke. I couldn't lose this job. And I didn't want to get Shirley in trouble for hiring me.
"Please-don't say anything. I could get fired."
I hated the pleading sound in my voice. I sounded like a little girl who was begging for candy. But who knew how long it would take me to find another job if I lost this one.
The bastard's cold smile grew even wider.
"What will you do for me? If I keep quiet?"
My jaw seemed to literally drop open. He was smirking at me, his eyes wandering up and down my body. I could actually feel his eyes leaving little trails of heat all over my skin.
Of all the bloody nerve!
"Nothing. Tell them if you want. I'm not for sale."
I tried to brush past him but he grabbed my arm, dropping his drink in the process. I got splattered with his bourbon as he held me immobile by his side with his iron grip. We stared into each other eyes for a breathless moment.
Then he stepped back and lifted his hands in the air.
"I was just kidding darlin'. I just wanted to bum a smoke."
Angry tears sprung to my eyes. He was such a jerk! Teasing me like that. And he was teasing me, I could tell. I felt foolish, knowing I'd overreacted. And with a guest, no less.
He smiled at me beseechingly, those stunning blue eyes of his wide and innocent.
"I swear on my life that I would never rat you out. And I'm too stupid for blackmail. No matter how tempting it might be."
I cursed and laughed. He was just drunk. A buffoon certainly. A pig most likely. Well, that remained to be seen. Either way, he was a guest of the club and had to be treated accordingly. Besides, I kind of liked his verve.
"Alright."
I shook my head and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it for him. He took a long grateful drag and offered me a puff.