Chapter 5 – Money well spent

ROCCO

When I went up to the beautiful Miss Wilding I tried to gauge if the electricity was one-sided. She appeared cold but when I saw her eyes widen in fear at the idea of being escorted off, I felt bad. That wasn't my intention, the first step of my dance had landed right on her toes and caused an error

I would never have thrown her out by the way, it wasn't serious. What was serious though was the way the birthday man, Greg, was staring at me the whole time. when I told you about enjoying, the back and forth with pretty women I forgot to mention the other half of the game

Not pissing off the guys who have similar ideas

He might have been a human but there was possessive machismo radiating in waves. Clearly, I was encroaching on someone he viewed as his, so I quickly made my excuses. Seeing as Miss Prickly wouldn't even give me her first name it would appear the feeling is mutual.

Not a problem. I like the chase, not a grind

I resolved to make sure Greg had the best time and ignore the blonde shifter. I opened the thirty-five year and poured him a generous measure, clinking our glasses to his success as he won another hand of blackjack

He kept a fixed eye on Miss Wilding but soon lost himself in the red tables and card play once he saw her seated with a female friend.

This, as I explained to Callum later was exactly why I got involved when her top became ruined. I had to intervene. If she went home, Greg would be annoyed and then the night would be cut short with a bad atmosphere

Not what we needed for a Saturday at the Gilded Falcon. Thank God for Pauline and her fancy jacket. When I promised to buy her another online straight after her shift, she agreed immediately

By the way, I'd like to add, I have never, ever slept with a member of staff. That isn't my scene at all. Too much power play, reminds me too much of pack dynamics. You don't really know who wants what out of the situation, do you??

Anyway, I sorted her out with the jacket, managed to undo a couple of buttons to stop her looking like a repressed nun. As I took the opportunity to stand closer to her something shifted in her. As I took in her new appearance the coldness melted, leaving only her pretty face flushed with something like desire Even so, when I gave her a sincere compliment, told her she was beautiful I got a shrug and a mutter. Must have got it wrong.

Lucky escape I tell myself,? my policy for avoiding shifters holds true.

Much more importantly, for me and Callum anyway, when she came back into the room Greg was desperate to out-macho the situation. After watching me escort her into the room he threw over thirty thousand dollars into the chip count. Jackpot.

Cheers indeed Greg, you possessive, jealous idiot, I silently toasted as we jollily clinked glasses once more

He couldn't take his eyes off her, the rest of his night was going to be about impressing her I could tell. To be fair I think she gave every guy in there a jolt when they saw her. She really must dress very boringly at work.

Hours of fun and frolics later, well after two in the morning, the party was finally winding down. Greg, our lucky birthday boy, had managed to drink so much of his precious scotch that he was having a small snooze in a red leather booth while his taxi arrived. Smooth.

The jazz played gently in the background as the chatter and laughter slowly dimmed. To my surprise, Miss Wilding took up a seat at the bar whilst her brunette friend staggered to the bathroom and then grimaced as she realised I was standing behind it.

"Well," I said, a broad smile on my face, determined to not end on a bad note, "have you enjoyed the night?"?

I poured her a vodka lime-soda, the drink I had seen her enjoying all night. As she took the glass from me, her finger brushed against mine and I felt a sudden fizz and crackle of connection, not that she felt anything judging by her narrowed eyes. Perhaps I'm losing my appeal.

"I didn't gamble if that's what you mean," she said icily, sliding the stack of free chips towards me.

"That's not what I asked," I said quickly, looking into her hazel eyes for a straight answer. This time she didn't break eye contact and I could see the layers of colour making up her brown eyes. Gold, chocolate, leaves all whirled together.

She looked up at me for a few beats too long. Normally I know how to handle any situation but for once I had no idea what to do, what lines to offer, this girl was a complete puzzle.

"I have yes, it's been a fabulous evening," she said finally, her cheeks colouring a little as I took the chips from the bar, placing the cash in a white envelope and sliding it towards her.

"Will you be giving it back to your boss?" I asked, curious as to what moral stand she intended to take.

A small smile crept across her red lips as she held the fat envelope. "Well..." she started, then looked across at him asleep in the booth, "I could always say I lost it at blackjack," and she tucked the envelope into her clutch.

"You surprise me, I would have bet on you being a good employee and returning the money."

"I might still gamble, but at a nice casino that will have me," she said with a raised eyebrow causing me to chuckle. She couldn't help a smile breaking out either.

I can't explain it but all the background noise of the evening fades away. As though someone turned down the volume leaving just us facing each other across the bar whilst I stacked and washed some glasses

I don't need to do these jobs, but it's a task that keeps me near to where she sits. Callum and the staff were sorting out the drunken party goers with taxis, coats, and happy farewells, so we have a small pocket of time to ourselves

What I want to do with this little moment I have no idea. For once my mind runs empty as she softly sips her drink and watches me. All I know is I want her lips against mine, my hands pressing her body to me. I know that much at least