He moved closer, until we were inches apart. “Did you know that the vampire Kibwe stole this amulet from his very own grandmother after he killed her? It’s considered a blood rite, which is the only way you can truly own the pendant. It has to be taken by force and cemented by the blood of the previous owner. That’s how Kibwe amassed his powers. Before that, he was only able to see spirits. That enough for you?”
I let him go and he shouldered his way through the crowd, quickly vanishing between the bodies. I glanced at the clock. It was only 12:30, which meant I had another hour and a half before I could go. Hector would have a bitch fit if I asked to leave, and Deena couldn’t tend the bar alone.
As I tried to forget about what Goose dangled in front of me and work the bar, Deena appeared, flushed and excited. “Hey, got a minute?” She nodded toward the back, and I followed her to the door.
“What’s up?”
“See that guy right there?” She pointed at the same man who had come on to me while I was working on the Samuel Adams.
“Yeah, I see him.”
“He wants to take me out after close. I don’t normally do that sort of thing, but look at him! I don’t want to say no, and since…”
My luck just kept getting better and better. “Since I’m sleeping on the couch, it’ll put a kink in your plans?”
“Do you mind crashing at your place for one night? I promise not to ask again, but he’s so…so…”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. It’s time for me to go home anyway. No problem.”
When I started to walk away, she grasped my arm. “Are you sure? I can tell him no.”
I shook my head. The truth was, returning to my apartment was a long time in the coming. I’d only avoided it so long because I was wimping out, and the time for acting like a * was over.
“I’m sure. You two have fun. It’s time to get back into a routine. I’m ready to get back to normal.”
She didn’t let go. “Only if you’re sure.”
I laughed, removing her fingers from my arm. “I’m positive. Now get back out there before Hector starts bitching.”
We returned to work, and it was a good thing we didn’t dally in the doorway. The crowd grew, more men and a few women eager for some T and A action. I couldn’t help my gaze as it drifted to the clock over and over again. I wanted the information Goose had, but I wasn’t sure I was up for his questions or a heart to heart.
The phone vibrated against my ass, but I didn’t bother checking the number. It was either Paine or Disco calling again, I was certain of it. The only thing I could say in my defense was I did feel bad when it came to Paine, as I’d promised things would be different between us when I returned and they weren’t. As soon as I could get a better handle on things, I knew it was a promise I would have to keep. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to do that. Besides, I wasn’t even sure if Disco had told him all the intimate details of what transpired in the future.
More music blasted from the speakers, a mash up of the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams” and The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” resounding through the club. I knew the dancer was Destiny without glancing up. She had a love of all things eighties, especially the music.
I watched her work the pole as men tossed bills at her, grinning when she did the weird thing with her double-jointed thighs that allowed her to place her feet directly over her head. As expected, more bills were tossed. It was her signature move, one no girl could replicate, and I felt it was worth every single penny.
“Excuse me again.”
I turned toward the voice of the man who had attempted to charm his way into my panties and, when turned away, found a way into Deena’s.
“What can I get you?”
“Well.” His voice dipped an octave, becoming husky. “Your friend said you were part-time roomies. I was wondering if you might be interested in a little three-way action.”
That wonderful control I’d so far maintained obliterated like the most precious crystal. Fucking with me was one thing. Fucking with my friend was something else entirely.
I grinned at him, glanced at Deena from the corner of my eye, and whispered, “I don’t know. Let’s see.”