I should have asked Cassian about it in my interview, but it sounded foolish. What was I supposed to say? “By the way, Cassian, is it true that bartenders routinely were offered money for more than just drinks?”
Now that I’d taken the job, I had to admit I should have asked something about it. The problem was I needed money. I didn’t get the sense that Cassian or the quiet brother would let a female be attacked or anything like that, but Stefan seemed to be something else entirely. I could see him being the one who made sex part of the job.
As all these thoughts paraded through my mind, the quiet owner approached me. Bigger than either of his brothers, the man had a real badass vibe to him. His black hair and blue eyes made him striking, and the fact that he said next to nothing in my interview unnerved me.
“It’s Shay, isn’t it?” he asked in a deep voice that resonated in the air around us.
“Yeah. Cassian called me and said I got the bartender job. He said I needed to come down and sign some papers. Is he in?”
Kane nodded. “I’ll take you back to him. I’m glad you decided to take the job. You’ll like it here.”
He began moving toward Cassian’s office, staying next to me as we walked. “That’s what Cassian said.”
“A word of advice, though. Keep your eyes open with my younger brother. Stefan doesn’t mean any harm, but he likes to think his antics are cute.”
I read what Kane was trying to say loud and clear. Chuckling, I nodded. “I understand. It takes all kinds, right? No need to worry about me. I’ve been bartending for years. I know how to handle myself.”
We stopped in front of Cassian’s office, and Kane touched me gently on the shoulder. “That’s good to hear. You’re a smart woman, so I knew you’d be cool about it. Just ignore him and he’ll go away sooner or later.”
I looked up into Kane’s blue eyes and saw sincerity. I couldn’t complain about two brothers being all right. That Stefan acted like a horny frat boy wasn’t their fault. No job was perfect, so I could handle it. I’d dealt with drunken patrons at every bar I’d worked at. This would be no different. And while I was at it, I’d teach that boy a lesson.
“Thanks, Kane. I’ll keep all that in mind.”
“Good. And if you need anything, my office is on the top floor. Stop in any time.”
He smiled and walked away, leaving me feeling good about Club X. So far, Kane had been a pleasant surprise. I hoped there would be more like that.
I knocked on Cassian’s door and heard him call me in. Offering me a seat, he smiled warmly. “I’m glad you decided to take the job, Shay. There are just a few things we need to go over before you can start. As I mentioned before, there’s a non-disclosure agreement we’ll need you to sign, and I want to make sure if you have any questions about the contract that you feel comfortable to ask.”
“Sounds great! I understand about the NDA, and I’m fine with it. Mum’s the word. Although I’ve never had to sign a contract to work as a bartender, I understand your club is a little different than others, so it’s fine. If I have any questions, I’ll definitely ask.”
He smiled again and pushed papers toward me. “Here’s the contract. I’ll give you some time to read it over and please ask if you have any questions.”
As he walked out of the office, I scanned the document, sure there was nothing in it that would make me not want to sign. The fact was I needed money, and Club X was the place to get it. I’d worked in bars that required me to wear shorts so tiny my entire ass hung out. I’d worked in some where the uniform barely covered my chest, and at all of them I’d made less money in a week than I likely would make in a night or two at Club X. Whatever Cassian needed me to sign, I’d do it because this bar would get me what I needed.
Signing my John Hancock on the bottom line, I looked around for Cassian to let him know. His gaze met mine from outside the office, and he returned to sit behind his desk.
“That was quick. Do you have any questions?”
“None that I’m sure can’t be answered by your brother since he runs the bar, right? I’m sure he’ll give me my hours.”
Taking a deep breath in, Cassian let the air out of his lungs slowly, as if he was preparing himself to say something he dreaded. “Speaking of my brother, I hope you noticed the non-fraternization clause.”
“I did.” That I fully intended to disregard it as I played his brother for all he was worth crossed my mind, but that would be between Stefan and me.
“Good. I’m sure you won’t have any problems then. If there aren’t any questions, let me take you out to Stefan so you and he can get started.”
“Great! Lead the way.”
I followed him out to where Stefan stood checking over a liquor order. After telling me to find him if I had any problems, Cassian left me standing at the corner of the long glass bar waiting to find out when I’d start. Tugging my T-shirt down to show a little more skin than usual, I stuck my breasts out and put a smile on my face for when Stefan would finally bother to pay me some attention.
I saw him glance over at me out of the corner of his eye, but he said nothing, intentionally ignoring me for nearly five minutes. By the time the jackass turned to look at me, my back was killing me from doing my Barbie doll pose. How bimbos stayed like that all the time I couldn’t imagine.
“Oh, you’re still here? I figured Cash told you everything you needed to know and sent you on your way since I can’t use you tonight.”
Not exactly the reception I’d expected, especially since just hours earlier he would have taken me in the back and fucked my brains out if I’d given him even the slightest chance. What was with this guy? No doubt this was some kind of game, but I wouldn’t be baited by the likes of him.
“No, he said to speak to you. I can’t work tonight, but I can start next week. I figured we could talk so I’d have some idea of my schedule.”
Stefan’s gaze hardened. “I don’t need someone next week. If you can’t start tomorrow night, then you’re of no use to me.”
Ouch.
I stepped toward him and softened my approach. “I wanted to apologize for before. I didn’t mean to go all feminazi on you. As for my schedule, I just don’t want to leave my old job hanging. It seems wrong to do that to anyone. I’m sure you can understand.”
My words seemed to make him happy, and he flashed me a gorgeous smile I couldn’t help admitting made him quite appealing. All it took with most people was a pleasant tone and heartfelt words to get them to do what you wanted.