and rich and familiar. Like the color of earth waking to life after the dead of winter.
“Have we met before?”
“You mean did you take me home, fuck me stupid, and never call me again?” A low chuckle rumbles in her throat. “Oh, Dickie, I have higher standards than that.”
More important people have gone down in flames for much less than calling me Dickie, but I’m bending my own rules and letting it slide. I’m not usually one for sass, yet I find myself giving this girl a free pass.
A charged silence falls between us. “I suppose you think you’ve got me all figured out.”
She leans over, the ruined whiskey in her hand. “Maybe.”
“What are you really after, cupcake? A big tip? Here’s one; don’t try so hard.”
She lifts her chin. “I’m not after a damn thing you have.”
“Is that right?” I don’t think about what I’m doing as I dig in my wallet and slam a handful of bills down. “Care to put your money where your mouth is?”
“Excuse me?”
“This is a roadside bar in Chula Vista. What’s your average tip? A dollar? Two dollars?”
Her jaw tightens. “I don’t need—”
“We all need, sweetheart. Some of us more than others. But don’t get your apron twisted. I’m not offering anything but a friendly wager.”
I wait. For what? I don’t know. Maybe for her to dump the rest of the eighty-proof ash water on my head. I wouldn’t blame her if she did.
“I’m listening.”
I hold out my hand. “Give me your order pad and a pen.” She does, and I waste no time writing down the first thing that pops into my head.
Cosmo.
Do I seem like a cosmo-drinking motherfucker? Hell no. That’s exactly the point.
Ripping off the ticket, I fold it twice and hold it up between my index and middle fingers. “This is what I would’ve ordered if you hadn’t spent the last ten minutes insulting me. Since you seem to know so much, bring me what’s on this piece of paper, and all that”—I nod toward the wad of bills—“is yours.”
Scowling, she snatches her pad and pen off the table. “And if I’m wrong?”
I don’t hide my smile this time. “You have to give me your number.”
She won’t. Even if she loses, there’s not a chance in hell this girl will give me anything but the first seven numbers that pop in her head. That doesn’t make it any less entertaining.
She pretends to think, which I’d find amusing if I weren’t so focused on the pen tapping against her full lips. “You’re on,” she says in a sultry, thick tone. “And don’t worry. I know exactly what a man like you wants.”
Nodding, I slip the folded ticket underneath my wallet. “Oh, I’m counting on it.”
I stare at her ass until it disappears behind the bar, then drop my face into my hands. A pretty face and a nice ass have been a pleasant distraction, but I still have to figure out what the hell I’m going to do. Producing Alexandra Romanov wasn’t just my contingency plan. It was my only plan. Now that it’s hit a brick wall, it’s time to formulate plan B.
Rubbing my chin, I stare back at her as she catches my eye. She’s above-average looking. A little brash, but anyone can be taught class. After a few more discerning glances, plan B begins to form.
And she’s not gonna like it.
Chapter Five
Angel
There are two types of people in this world. Those who practice humility as a religion, and those who consider it to be one of the seven deadly sins. I’ll give you two guesses which category the guy at table four falls into.
He may be a pompous ass, but I have to give him points for creativity. Attempting to bribe my number out of me was inventive and slightly entertaining. Besides, it’s not like he stands a chance of winning. Taking his bet is easy money and a fast-track to making rent. And that’s why I didn’t shut him down.
I wonder if he’s still staring.
Taking a risk, I glance across the bar to find him in deep concentration, scrolling through his phone. The way he stares at it with his thumb pressed deep against his temple as his fingers fan above his head scratches at something in the back of my mind. It's an itch I can’t reach no matter how hard I try.
“See something you like?” a voice says behind me. Spinning around, I find Violet standing with her arms crossed and a cocked eyebrow.