Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 109164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109164 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
“He gave you how much for the dress?”
I quickly count the wad of cash and quickly count again because there’s no way I counted correctly. Yet . . . I did.
“Two thousand,” I say, stupefied. “He didn’t count it.”
“Because he doesn’t have to.” Carter rolls his eyes. “The man’s loaded.”
“Yeah, how did he come into so much money?”
Carter shrugs. “I’ve heard rumors, but who knows?”
“What were the rumors?” I press, wanting to know everything about Drew Lawson, despite my better judgment.
“There have been so many contradicting stories that I don’t know what’s actually true,” he admits. “I’ve heard he comes from money. Then there was the rumor that he was a pimp.” He raises his hand. “Oh, and then there was the rumor that he works with the cartel. I don’t believe that one, though.”
“Why not?” I ask.
“He’s so adamantly against drug use, and there isn’t an easy way to stop working with the cartel. If he was and quit, he’d be dead. If he were still working with them, drugs would be circulating through Silver more than the drinks we serve. There’s no way the cartel wouldn’t be using the club to run their drugs.”
I couldn’t disagree there. Drew was definitely against drug usage, given how hard I had to work to get Carter his new job. If only he knew about my past.
And knowing plenty of drug dealers, if they owned a club, they would undoubtedly be using that high-end clientele to push their stash. Silver would be a hotbed for designer drugs. Drew could be lining his pockets, but he wasn’t. I was sure of that. So, what does that leave? Pimp? I mean, the man is fifty shades of sexy. He could probably talk a girl into doing an assortment of things for him. That’s why he’s dangerous.
“Regardless, the man works his ass off now. His fortune, at this point, has been more than earned. Drew is a workaholic,” Carter supplies, pulling me out of my wayward thoughts. “So, where is he taking you?”
“I have no clue. He just said it was another restaurant he was looking to buy, and that I’d need a cocktail dress.”
Carter eyes me up and down. “I know just the place. My ex used to drag me there all the time.”
An hour later, I’m standing in front of a floor-length mirror wearing the most beautiful dress I’ve worn to date. With a high neckline and cap sleeves, the dress is equal parts sexy and modest. The lace overlay works throughout the dress, giving it a bold texture that my fingers can’t stop running over. The skirt has a column silhouette and finishes with a modest hem that brings attention to my toned and tanned legs.
“Stunning,” Carter muses, scratching his chin with his hand. “Drew is going to eat you alive in that dress.”
My mouth drops open, and I glare at him through the mirror.
“I’m not trying to draw Drew’s attention. It’s just a dress. I’m dressing up,” I mutter, just managing to repeat myself like an idiot.
“Riiiiight,” he draws out. “And that must be why your cheeks are ten shades of red right now.” He chuckles.
“Ass,” I mumble. “But seriously, I want to impress him but only in a professional manner. I don’t have any interest in being one of his conquests.”
He purses his lips. “You might have all the intentions in the world of keeping things professional, but Drew doesn’t have that same goal, Bailey. You have to know that by now.”
“How do you figure?”
“He’s been asking about you and your past. Given the way he’s been acting around you, he’s aiming for something. I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s not asking because he thinks you’re a killer waitress.”
I frown, and he quickly jumps in.
“I’m not saying you’re not, Bae. I’m just saying to him, waitresses are a dime a dozen. The guy has stacks of résumés a mile high, most having more experience than either of us have, combined.”
“Great, so I’m another floozy he’s trying to bone.”
Carter grunts. “You’re no floozy, and I don’t think that’s what’s happening here.” He sighs. “Listen, as I said, I’ve known Drew for a long time. For some reason, he really wants to help you, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because he’s interested in you, or maybe it’s something else . . .” He trails off, blowing out a hard breath and running a hand through his thick hair.
“So why is he going to so much effort?”
He levels me with a come on, you’re smarter than that expression.
“It’s obvious he wants to help you, Bailey. Maybe it’s because you remind him of his own past? I’m not sure.”
I huff. “Great, so I’m a damn charity case.”
“Do you want to be more?” he asks, raising a questioning brow.
“Well . . . no, but—”