Page 25 of Of Desire And Deception

I found a pad of paper and a pen, then got to work checking out row after row of alcohol. We kept the bottles lined up three deep and usually had to stock the most popular liquors at least once during the night shift. Beer on tap lasted longer, and there was an entire refrigerator dedicated to cans and bottles.

When I finished with the alcohol, I went through all our mixing ingredients. I blushed when I got to the maraschino cherries, remembering how Cosimo had tied his stem twice.

Knock it off, Remi. Focus.

A couple of the dancers sidled up to the bar with their costumes on, ready to work the crowd and book a lap dance or two. Zach was tied up with customers, so I quickly finished my inventory and approached them.

I placed a black napkin in front of each woman. “Hey, ladies. What can I get you?”

“Tequila shots,” Cleo answered, drumming her nails on the bar top.

“Sure thing,” I answered, gathering what I needed. “Two-drink limit.”

“We know,” Sunshine snipped, rolling her eyes. “We've been here longer and will no doubt outlast a girl who couldn’t even make it on the pole.”

Cleo elbowed her in the side. “Turn off bitch mode and take your drink.”

I smoothed my expression and sliced the lime, slipping it onto the shot glass rims before setting the drinks and a salt shaker in front of the dancers. Taking Sunshine’s bait wasn’t worth it, so I stepped away to give them space.

Cleo made a show of licking salt off her friend’s hand, her tongue taking a long pass across that sensitive skin between thumb and forefinger. Sunshine nestled the shot glass between her breasts and giggled as Cleo leaned down and licked up the side of the glass before putting her lips around it and tilting her head back to drink the tequila. Sunshine held the lime wedge out for her, and patrons cheered as Cleo bit into it.

They repeated the process for Sunshine’s shot, and by the time they’d finished, men were lining up, trying to book time with them. Cleo passed a twenty to me for a tip, and I nodded my thanks before cleaning up their glasses. Zach was still handling customers, so I decided to try my luck.

I snagged a bar rag and began wiping down the counters, working my way to where he stood. “I finished the inventory.”

“Awesome. I’ll have to get to restocking later. I’m pretty slammed right now,” he explained, nodding to the group sitting at the end of the bar. They were verging on rowdy, and one of the bouncers had moved closer to watch over them. That meant the door was clear.

“I can grab the stock,” I offered with a shrug. “I’ve helped you restock before.”

“You sure?” he asked over his shoulder. He looked uncertain, but he couldn’t very well stop making drinks.

I slung the bar cloth over my shoulder, sensing my victory. “Yeah, it’s no problem. This way, we won’t have to cram it in if things don’t slow down later.”

“Thanks, Wynn,” Zach called out gratefully as I rinsed the bar rag and hung it to dry.

I blew him a little kiss and waved playfully before heading to the back, checking to see where the bouncers were. Nobody paid attention as I slipped through the door and assessed the hallway.

Shit. There were security cameras at each end, which meant somebody somewhere was watching me or could run the footage back at some point. I tapped my chin like I didn’t know where I was going and pretended to count doors. I knew where the employee sections and Cosimo’s office were, so I didn’t open those doors, instead walking past. A door at the end of the hall was locked when I pulled on it, so I lifted my shoulders and made my way back along the other side.

The first door was unlocked, so I opened it and peered inside. With the desk, computer, and a spare jacket hanging over the back of the chair, it looked like Franco’s office. I couldn’t waste time there, so I did a once-over and left, shaking my head for the cameras like I was stumped about where the storeroom was.

My eyes roamed to the door out to the bar as I found the next door unlocked, and I walked inside without looking. Darkness enveloped me, and I gasped, reaching behind me for a light switch. When I found it, a fluorescent light flickered on, revealing a custodial closet. Shelves of cleaning supplies lined the small room with buckets, mops, and brooms on one side. I wouldn’t find any family secrets hidden in that closet.

Reaching behind me, I opened the door, then spun and ran straight into Cosimo, who stood in the hall with his muscular arms crossed over his broad chest. I bounced off him, catching myself on the wall and staring wide-eyed.

Tonight, he was missing his black dress shirt and leather jacket. Instead, he wore a simple black tee that showed off the tattoos on his arms. The lines seemed to move with his rippling forearm muscles when he drummed his fingers against his opposite bicep. I gulped at the subtle display of masculine strength.

“What are you doing, Wynn?” The words dripped from his lips, smooth like dark chocolate, and I wanted to lick them up at the source. Cosimo’s gaze was stony and assessing; his eyes narrowed on my face. His expression didn’t betray any emotions, and if he hadn’t held me in his lap while devouring me, I would have never believed the man was capable of feeling. An unstoppable shiver racked my body, and his lips pursed as he watched the hairs on my arms rise. Then, those dark eyes snapped back to mine, and his lips curled up at the corners. It wasn’t a kind smile, though. He looked like a wolf who had cornered a rabbit and was about to play with his food. “Wandering the halls without a pass?”

“I was trying to find the storeroom,” I blurted, wondering if the dark, brooding, dangerous man in front of me could see the panic in my throbbing pulse point. I could hear my heartbeat rushing in my ears, but I offered him an innocent smile, forcing the worry to the back of my mind. “You should really add a tour of the back rooms to your staff orientation.”

“I’ll take that under consideration.” Cosimo took a step forward, and I retreated, my back finding the wall.

The cold seeped into my bare arms as he crowded my personal space. I froze as he reached out, squeezing my eyes shut, certain he was about to tell me he knew my true purpose for wandering the hall. But he didn’t, and I opened my eyes. Cosimo was close enough that his warm breath caressed my face. He smelled like mint and industrial cleaner.

I watched, rapt, as his fingers tugged on a wayward lock of hair that had fallen into my face, gently tucking it behind my ear. I shivered again when his fingertips played down my neck. That smile widened. “There, I fixed it. Now it’s where it belongs.”

My mouth opened, but nothing came out except an embarrassing squeak. Cosimo chuckled knowingly and backed away, giving me enough room to breathe freely. I stepped away from the wall and pulled my shoulders back, trying to muster the courage to walk away.

---