Page 12 of Razor's Edge
“Just one, Cariño Mío. If you still want to go home after that, I’ll make that happen,” he replies, and his accent makes it hard to say no.
I sigh, relaxing because I won’t win this, and do I want to fight him? I need to get over Razor. He’s got a new life with SluttyBarbie. Something itches at the back of my mind, telling me to make sure I look very, very deep into what’s going on with Lionel and … Wait, what the fuck is this man’s name? Have I completely lost my fucking mind not getting his name?
“How can I have a drink with you when I don’t even know your name?” I ask, leaning on my elbow, channeling Candy and Vixen.
Mr. Delicious leans in until we are nose to nose and replies, “My name would be Isaias Revera.”
“Hmm.”
“Hmmm? Is that all you have to say to me? Do I not deserve your name, cariño mío?”
“Oh, you’ll have to earn that, and from where I’m sitting, you haven’t yet earned it,” I sass back at him.
The playful look falls for just a moment before the fun, carefree man returns, “I’ll learn it one way or another. So, you might as well tell me what it is,” Isaias says confidently. I do not doubt that he’ll know my name before I leave here tonight. Well, the name I gave Lionel when I started here.
Momma didn’t raise a complete dumbass. I smile wide at him to hide my discomfort. The first beats of our newest girl’s music drops, bringing my eyes to the stage and giving me time to collect my thoughts and not get lost in this man I know nothing about. I’m so tired of doing the right thing and being the bigger person. It’s time I do something for myself.
I look back at the man before me. His eyes never strayed from my face. Decision made. I’m going to take a chance on him. “My name is Vice.”
“That you are, Cariño Mío, that you are,” he says quietly before turning and waving a lurking Lionel over.
He glares at me before dropping all emotion and asking, “What can I do for you?”
“We need a round of drinks. Whatever Vice here wants and what we’ve been ordering all night,” Isaias demands.
“What can I get for you, Vice?’ he questions tonelessly.
I give him my drink order, laying it on thick and being as sweet as possible. Lionel doesn’t say a word, just nods his head, turns on his heels, and stomps to the bar. I don’t even try to hide the smirk caused by someone putting him in his place. It doesn’t take five minutes, and he is back with our drinks. I sip my drink, loving the burn of the Fireball as it warms from the inside out. We sit there talking and getting to know each other. Before I know it, Candy is coming over to see if I’m ready to go home.
“Vice, love, you ready to head home?” she asks nervously.
I gasp in shock. “My bestest friend is here! Isaias, this is my bestest friend. We just got a place together,” I shout.
“Come on, Vice. My shift is over, and I’m ready to drop,” Candy says, reaching to help me up.
When I stand, my head spins, causing me to stumble. Isaias catches me by my waist. His hands on my skin cause fire to race through my veins. I spin to look him in the face, leaning over to whisper, “You are dangerous, Mr. Delicious.”
Isaias leans away from me, giving me an all-knowing grin. “Mr. Delicious, huh? I think I can get used to you calling me that. Stay, and I’ll take you home.”
“Oh. I like the sound of that.” I want to chase the feelings racing through my very fuzzy brain.
“Hey, Vice, why don’t we go home, and you call Isaias in the morning? I still need your help first thing,” Candy says, looking nervous. That look and her grip on my arm snap me out of the fog.
I take a step back, trying to clear my brain. “Let’s go, Candy.”
“I’ll see you again, Vice. Cariño Mio, I’ll be seeing you again,” Isaias says with a knowing smile.
* * *
“Why is the sun so fucking bright today?” I whine like a toddler.
“You know when you drink six Angry Balls with two shots of Fireball, you deserve it,” Candy says from her place on the lounge chair beside me.
“Hoe, you don’t have to yell at me!” I protest under my breath.
“Are you going to make me throw you in this fucking pool to get the tea on who got you drunk?” Vixen huffs from my other side.
Vixen is only mildly upset with me. I haven’t let myself be drunk since Ice showed his true feelings. I promised myself that night I would never put myself in a position to be taken advantage of or not be able to fight with everything I have in me. Last night, though, I don’t know what happened, and today I’m fucking paying for it.
