Chapter 2

“Oh, yeah. It was insanely busy—just the way I like it.”

I placed two boxes on the floor next to her behind the bar. “As long as you’re happy, sweetie.” We’d been best buds a long time.

“What would make me even happier is for Pearce to get his head out of his ass about John DeWitt. I saw John leave and he looked really upset.” We’d discussed the issue before, out of our boss’s hearing, of course. “I heard a rumor that you threw out Merrill?” she continued.

I scowled. “Yeah. That man isn’t worth the effort of thought. I’m hopeful about John, though. I think he could be the one to get through to Pearce, help him trust again.”

Before I could head back to the employee room and grab my stuff, Sandy said, “Speaking of opening up, you know Rebel’s Ultimatum is performing here tomorrow night, right?”

Just the mention of the band made my skin flush. They played at the club on select Friday and Saturday nights. They hadn’t played tonight, though.

“You know the hell I do,” I growled.

Sandy laughed while she wiped down the bar top. “Good. So when are you going to ask the hottie bass player out on a date? Every time they play here, you’re in the front row, dancing your ass off and flirting shamelessly with the man. Why haven’t you made a move yet?”

I knew my lust for sexier-than-was-real Monty Mabuse was obvious, but I wasn’t the only one.

Rebel’s Ultimatum had been getting more airplay lately, and their most recent video on YouTube had gone viral within days of its release. The band was poised for stardom, and I assumed they’d be playing bigger venues soon enough. It helped that each and every one of its members was a stereotypical star—gorgeous, single, and ready to fuck anytime, anywhere. Monty was the hottest, in my opinion.

“I haven’t done anything, mainly because it would be a dead-end road with a guy who’s interested only in one-night stands. I’m sure Monty gets all the tail he wants, and I’m looking for more than a one-off with a guy. There has to be a connection, at least. He’s a total playboy and will fuck everything male that moves. Tempting as he is, I respect myself too much to do that.”

Sandy rolled her eyes at me. “Okay, Princess. I think you’re missing out, though. Who cares if it’s just one night? You’ll finally scratch that itch you’ve been avoiding for months now. When was the last time you got laid, anyway?”

“Four months ago, right before Grover and I broke up. So?”

“That long of a dry spell is depressing.”

“Not everyone has a hot threesome to go home to every night, you know. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

She shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

* * * *

Half an hour later, I waved goodbye to the remaining staff—Pearce included—and headed out on my Harley-Davidson Sportster, which I’d bought for a steal a few years ago.

When I got home, I scooped up Bessie, my five-year-old cat, as I walked into the kitchen.

“Mrrow,” she purred as I put her down and refilled her water and kibble bowls.

“Yeah, I know. You’re hungry and your human is trying to starve you.” Of course, she ignored me in favor of nourishment.

“You’re welcome, fur ball,” I muttered as I grabbed a root beer from the fridge and headed to the bedroom, where I drank it down in between stripping naked. There were books everywhere in my room, stacks that teetered with half-read tomes that called to me, even this early in the morning. I was too tired, though.

I took a hot shower, brushed my teeth and finally settled into bed, falling asleep within minutes.

When I awoke, the sunlight was blinding as it poured through the white curtains covering my windows. I rubbed my eyes and sat up as Bessie moved from her customary spot at the foot of the bed. She crawled up my body and butted her head under my chin.

“I’m up, Bessie. I’m up.” I set her aside and left the bed to sprint to the bathroom and empty my bladder. I groaned in ecstasy as it all went down the toilet. It was almost as good as sexual release.

I found an old T-shirt and sweats to wear and shuffled into the kitchen to make breakfast. Well, a late lunch, I suppose, since it was after two in the afternoon. I needed to be at Throwbacks by seven, so I had enough time to clean the apartment and get dressed before heading out.

I meant what I’d said to Sandy about one-night stands. As much as I wanted to fuck Monty five ways from Sunday, there’d need to be more first. And from what I knew of him, that wasn’t happening.