Page 7 of Come Around
She crosses her arms over her chest, which only draws my attention back to her gorgeous tits. I force my eyes back to her face.
“I told you, I’m not here as a customer.” I reach out and take the cloth from her hand. The contact sends a jolt of electricity up my arm. From her quick intake of breath, I know she feels it too. “I’m here for you.”
“But you don’t even know me.”
I hold her gaze. “I know you deserve better than working in a place like this.”
Her eyes narrow. “And how exactly do you know what I deserve?”
“I told you before. You’re mine. And what’s mine gets nothing but the best.”
Sami snorts. “Do these lines actually work on women?”
“They’re not lines, Kitten.” I lean closer, close enough to catch the scent of her. She smells like a light, floral scent mixed with the stronger smells of alcohol and bar soap. “And I don’t care if they work on women. I only care if they work on you.”
A flicker of uncertainty crosses her face, just for a second, but it’s enough. She’s not as immune to me as she pretends to be.
“Look,” she says. Her voice is a little softer now. “I appreciate that you think you’re... interested in me or whatever. But I have a job to do. So, unless you’re ordering something, I need to help actual paying customers.”
I glance around the bar. It’s busy, but no one is actively trying to get her attention.
“Jack Daniel’s. Neat.” I pull out my wallet and place a fifty on the bar. “And your full attention for five minutes.”
She looks at the bill, then back at me. “I’m not for sale.”
“Didn’t say you were. I’m buying a drink and a conversation.” I push the money toward her. “Nothing more.”
After a moment of hesitation, she takes the fifty and turns to pour my whiskey.
I watch the movement of her hands, the slight tensing of her shoulders as she feels my eyes on her. When she returns with my drink and change, I wave off the money. Then I take a sip of whiskey, letting the burn slide down my throat.
“So, Sami Holland. Tell me why you’re working in a place like this.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “How do you know my last name?”
“I asked around.”
“Gee, that’s not creepy at all.” She rolls her eyes, but there’s less heat in it now. Then she sighs. “I work here because the tips are good, and I need money. Mystery solved.”
“For what?”
“Excuse me?”
“What do you need the money for?” I press. “College? Medical bills?”
Sami blinks at me like I have three heads.
“Um, for this crazy thing called rent. And food. And keeping my car running. You know, survival.”
With every word she speaks, every flash of defiance in those green eyes, I become more certain. This is the woman I’ve been waiting for my whole life without knowing it. She’s strong enough to stand up to me, beautiful enough to steal my breath and smart enough to hold her own.
“Even still. You could do better than this place,” I tell her.
“I don’t remember asking for your opinion on my career choices.” She straightens up. “And your five minutes are up.”
Before I can answer, a hand lands on my shoulder. I whirl around, ready to tear apart whoever dared to touch me while I’m talking to Sami, only to find Ruby’s husband, Clay, standing there.
“Hey, Axel.” He extends his hand, and I grasp it firmly. “Heard Highland Rye was back in town. Didn’t expect to see you here, though.”
