My heart jump-started into overdrive, but I tried to look confused. “How so?”
“She liked powerful men too. Most of the girls are afraid of ’em.” He picked up a bottle of scotch and poured it into a glass full of ice. “This is why we needed more ice, by the way. Most of the high-rollers show up right around now.”
“There’re high rollers in Fenton County?” I asked in shock as I pulled the draft beer.
“They’re not all from Fenton County. We get customers from Louisiana and the neighboring counties too.”
Considering we were less than thirty minutes from the state line, that shouldn’t have surprised me.
Kip handed me the two glasses. “Ask them if they want to put the drinks on their tab. Most men have to pay per drink, so it will show them you know they’re special.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Keeping them happy is good for business. But Ruby,” he leaned into my ear, “just remember: be careful when you play with fire, or you’re liable to get burned.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled as I headed for their table. What kind of fire was I headed into?
I set their drinks on the table. “Would you gentlemen like to put these on a tab?”
“She thinks I’m a gentleman.” Rich laughed, sending chills down my spine. “Yes, darlin’, I do want to put it on my tab so I can save all my cash for you.” He put a hundred-dollar bill on the table.
I fought my rising panic. He expected a lap dance, but there was no way I was gonna give it to him. Instead, I gave him a smile, hoping I didn’t look as nervous as I felt. “That’s too much.”
He laughed again, turning to his friend. “She is new.” Then they both laughed together.
A new group of men appeared in the door, and it was easy to see that they fit Kip’s high-roller profile too. The bouncer sent them toward Rich’s table. I started to walk toward them once they sat down, but Rich grabbed my wrist and jerked me back.
I looked down into his narrowed eyes. “I saw you first, sweetheart, and that makes you mine.”
“The girls here dance for everyone,” I forced out, trying not to show my fear.
“Not tonight.” His fingers dug in tight, and I knew I wasn’t getting loose until Rich was ready to let me go. I’d seen men grab other dancers throughout the night, and a bouncer always showed up in seconds to make sure the guy knew he couldn’t touch a girl without her permission. But the bouncer turned his back after casting a glance at us.
So this was what it meant to play with fire. The rules didn’t apply to these guys.
I leaned forward so my face was closer to his. “Sugar, a girl needs to pay the bills.”
Rich nodded his head toward his friend, and the guy put two more hundreds on the table. “This cover it?”
“I’m new,” I said, sounding breathless, to my chagrin. “I’m not sure what that means.”
A wicked grin stretched across his face, and his free hand landed on my waist, slowly sliding down my hip. “It means you’re mine for thirty minutes in a VIP room.”
“I think I’ll need at least another couple hundred,” I said. “I bet I’m your first brand-new girl. That has to mean something.”
I thought that would make him change his mind, but he seemed even more excited. “Okay. But first you dance for me here.” He released my wrist but kept his hand on my butt.
Oh, crappy doodles.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a man with dark blond hair walk through the front door. Unlike all the other men who had entered the club, he waited next to the bouncer. Heart in my throat, I turned slightly, nearly gasping when I realized it was Mason.
“I see you’ve met Ruby,” Mud said from behind me, and I wasn’t sure whether I’d earned a reprieve, or if I was in even deeper trouble. I could only imagine what Mason would do if he knew what I was up to, and it wouldn’t be good for either of us.
Rich’s eyes remained on me, a smile tugging the corners of his lips. “Ruby and I were just getting acquainted.”
“I knew you’d like her, but she’ll have to wait until after business. He’s here.”
Rich’s eyes turned dark. “Already?”
Mud tilted his head toward the door. “Yes.” Then he walked toward his new guest.
Rich pulled me closer and lifted the hem of my tank top, running his rough hand over my stomach before looking up at my face. “Wait for me, Ruby. I’m looking forward to really getting to know you.”
My breath stuck in my throat as I waited for Mason to storm over and possibly get us both killed. My only hope was twofold—one, that my back was to him and he wouldn’t recognize me, and two, that this would the last place Mason would expect to see me.
I didn’t say anything as Rich got to his feet, still staring into my face. For one horrified second I thought he was going to kiss me, but he bent his mouth to my ear.
“I’m looking forward to later.”
I shivered from fear, but he laughed as he lifted his head. “McDonald, keep an eye on her.”