Page 8 of Undercover Desires

“I bet. So, you offered her a non-existent job? How kind of you,” Jett says, his tone laced with a touch of sarcasm.

“Xavier’s going to train her up here. The ground floor is full, but we could use another girl up here. They’ve been run off their feet the last few weeks, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.” I glance at Xavier for support, and she nods at us while drying off glasses, a slight smile on her face.

“Nothing to do with you wanting to fuck her.” Jett gives me a knowing look. “Did she turn down your charming pickup lines last night?” he asks, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. My brother knows me too well.

I break into a chuckle. “She was playing hard to get.”

“So, you gave her a job?” he grumbles, unimpressed.

“I was just securing another chance to see her,” I play along, enjoying messing with Jett. Sometimes he takes life way too seriously. He needs me around to keep it fun.

“Every shift! You know that staff meeting earlier in the week was aimed at you. Leo is pretty strong on the ‘no fooling around with your staff’ policy,” he reminds me, his tone stern.

“He wasn’t serious about it.” I laugh, knowing Leo goes on these rants from time to time. I’ve never let them affect me too much before.

“Deadly serious, Brother. He’s not losing another hard-working staff member because of your romantic escapades. Those were his exact words. Don’t you remember?”

“Nope. I tune out when Leo rants. It’s quite convenient that this rule comes into play now that you two are already partnered up,” I reply, feigning forgetfulness. But I remember, and I had intended to stay true to my word. It’s not like I have a shortage of other options.

“Actually, I think it has more to do with him finding out that he and Piper are having a girl. He’s feeling sorry for the women you pursue,” Jett remarks, raising an eyebrow in my direction, as if he agrees with Leo.

“I don’t have to chase them; they come to me. Anyway, what if she’s different? What if she’s the one? I could miss out because of his silly rule,” I mutter, knowing I’m talking directly from my dick. I’m hot for her dirty mouth and her fine ass. It’s nothing to do with fate or romance. My two brothers are the ones dumb enough to fall for that shit. Not me. I’m going to be single forever. And now that they are partnered up, this town is my playground.

“Yeah, she’s the one you want to fuck this week. I’m sure she is, Brother.” He chuckles.

“That’s not what I meant,” I mutter.

“We both know that’s all this will be. She looks all shiny and new to you right now, but after you fuck her, that shine will fade. And it will leave us looking for new staff again.”

“You’re probably right,” I agree with him, knowing I need to stay away from her.

“You know I am,” he grumbles.

Bella walks out of the staffroom dressed in her work uniform. She looks even better than she did in that white dress last night. My dick goes instantly hard, and I have to adjust my pants to sit more comfortably.

Jett slaps me on the back. He notices her as well. “Fuck. Wouldn’t want to be you, Brother. The attention that girl’s going to get will drive you crazy.” He laughs at my pain. Now he thinks this is funny.

He’s not wrong, though. Bella is going to cause some trouble for me. I can feel it. My hands clench at the thought of other men ogling her. I crack my knuckles to ease the tension. She’s sexy as sin with a dirty mouth, and when she says Mr. Rivera, all I can picture is her on her knees begging me to fuck her pretty little mouth. Staying away from her is going to be impossible.

CHAPTER 4

ARABELLA

I smile through myanxiety and shakily hand the guy with ocean-blue eyes his beer.

Xavier leans in closer. “If a patron offers to buy you a drink, always accept,” she tells me after I just turned down a drink offer from blue eyes.

My stomach churns. I hate being new and not knowing what I’m supposed to be doing. The perfectionist in me wants to know the ins and outs of the job from the second I walk in. I glance at her, puzzled. “I would be drunk off my nut in no time.” An uncomfortable laugh escapes me. I can’t do this job drunk. There’s no way. Unlike last night when I was willing to have a couple in the name of playing the part, I know I need to keep my wits about me tonight.

She offers me a sassy, knowing smile. “You accept the offer and take their money. Vodka shots are your drink of choice. Pour from this bottle. It’s water.” She winks, pouring herself a shot of water and throwing it back.

I relax a little. Xavier is trying her best to make me feel at home already. “Nice. Love that tip.” This girl has fun energy about her. She’s also coming across totally badass, in her thick black eyeliner and inked-up arms.

Our night started off slow, giving me a chance to learn the ropes, but now the bar is in full swing. Music pumps through the sea of partygoers. Girls have come and gone, shaking their ass on the raised stage, and I have received more compliments tonight than in my entire life.

I do my best to concentrate on lips so I can work out what each person is ordering. I can’t get rid of the slight tremble in my hand, but I guess that will come when I feel more comfortable in my ability to do this job. The newspaper reports I read about this place were spot-on. They proclaimed it as the place to be on a Saturday night for the affluent and beautiful people of Palm Springs. After what Kobe told me about the annual membership cost, I’m surprised to see how many members they have acquired. But every booth is full, and the rest of the floor is standing room only. Every person in here looks sophisticated, men in suits and women in designer cocktail dresses and heels.

“Basketballer?” I quiz her, knowing this dude has to be some sort of professional athlete. He has that tall, lean-muscled build.

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