Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 101(@200wpm)___ 81(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“Is that so?”
“It is.” Gerald nodded.
Cole sat forward and clasped his hands together, watching the other men having a good time.
“So, where’s this stellar service you raved about? I’ve been here almost five minutes. How come I don’t have a drink in my hand?”
“Good things come to those who wait, Cole,” a man whispered behind him, a silky, lyrical sound that glided beneath Cole’s collar and warmed his neck.
Cole smiled, recognizing the relaxing voice of the writer who’d been in his store a couple of hours ago. His writer. The one destined to wear the bracelet he’d designed.
“I’ll be damned.” Gerald grinned at him. “Merry fucking Christmas to you.”
Spencer
“Why do I have to serve them, Sergio? I don’t want to. What about Brent? He’s on fire tonight. Or Hugo.”
Spencer warily eyed the two salesmen from the jewelry store.
They were sitting in the VIP gold lounge, and according to club policy, they’d already been waiting four minutes too long.
How can they even afford this place on their salaries?
“No. I need my best man on them. And I want Mr. Burbank to have a platinum membership before he leaves tonight, is that understood?” his boss demanded.
He gave Spencer’s black cashmere sweater and tight slacks a once-over.
“You look amazing tonight. Now, go entertain them, and I don’t want to see the bottom of their glasses or a second where Mr. Burbank isn’t smiling.”
Yes, Mr. Belvedere. Spencer scowled at his boss’s back when he left.
“Did he say Mr. Burbank… as in, the jewelry empire Burbanks?” Brent gaped.
Of course he’s the Mr. Burbank. I only attract egotistical playboys who wanna be masters of the universe.
“Now you see why he was so willing to give the bracelet away,” Spencer mumbled under his breath to Brent. “That’s what rich men do. They throw nice things around and expect the peons to swoon at their generosity.”
“Just go over there and treat him like the man you met a little while ago in the mall. The one who showed genuine interest in your writing.”
Yeah, that was nice. No one ever asked about his passions.
“A man who owns a gazillion dollar jewelry empire and is not married with kids. A man who is forty feet away and hinted earlier that he’s pretty lonely tonight as well.”
All glaring red flags.
“Now, get your hot ass over there.”
Hugo chuckled while he waited near the bar for his customer’s glass of Foragers. “I think your standards might be a tad too high, Spencer. You mean to tell me even that guy’s not good enough? Dude, what is your deal?”
Spencer ignored him. Money didn’t make a man amazing. His healed heart was living proof of that.
He gave a few more instructions to his assistant, Lyndon, letting him know they were about to pull out their best material.
Spencer figured he might as well make the most of this situation. It was a shame he’d liked Cole a lot more when he thought he was simply an overzealous manager at a jewelry store.
Spencer took a deep breath to shake off the nerves and to get himself into character. I can do this. A platinum membership will be a much-needed commission.
He slid his mask on and prepared for his performance.
Most servers approached their customers with their assistants trailing close behind them. He and Lyndon preferred a more subtle dance. A tango, but not as aggressive. Spencer overheard Mr. Burbank complaining about the lack of service before he got to his seat.
“Good things come to those who wait, Cole,” Spencer rebutted.
Cole turned and graced him with a beautiful, surprised smile.
Spencer tried not to react, but shit. Come on, get it together. He needed to remain impassive and treat Mr. Jewelry Tycoon like all the other—usually closeted—men who frequented Sergio’s.
Men who gawked at Spencer’s body half the night before they were able to go home and suffer through making love to their wives.
Cole’s eyes shone with something different—devoid of the typical haughtiness that Spencer despised. Most men there wanted the fantasy of feeling powerful, and Spencer was damn good at providing that… without compromising his morals.
“I take it from that beautiful smile that you didn’t know I worked here.”
Spencer sauntered around the sofa and perched himself on Cole’s armrest.
“No, I didn’t know, but I won’t say I’m disappointed.”
Cole’s appraisal was bold and hungry.
“I didn’t think I’d see you again. I don’t believe in fate, but I’m beginning to.”
Spencer smiled. “Perhaps it’s serendipitous.”
“You can call it whatever the hell you want,” Cole said, his voice low and only for him. “All I know is it’s been a stressful-ass day… and it’s just starting to get better.”
Gerald’s raspy chuckle pulled Spencer’s attention away from Cole’s handsome face.
Shit, he had two customers, not one.
Spencer kind of wanted to keep up the flirty banter. What could it hurt? Acting with Cole was more entertaining than he thought.