“Shay…that was your name, right?”
I nodded and he continued.
“Shay, I can’t even remember what you said to me earlier. I’ve spoken to at least a dozen women since then, all of them as good looking or more than you and with as much experience and all of them wanting to work for me. So don’t bother apologizing for whatever slight you think you caused me. But here’s how things are going to go. Either you show up tomorrow night at seven in something showing a lot of skin or you don’t. Either way, I’m fine with it.”
And then he turned and walked away, leaving me with my mouth hanging open at how fucking rude he’d been. This guy was a total dick! How was I going to ever work for such a person?
I gathered up my copy of the contract I’d signed and made my way toward the door. My mind filled with ideas of how I wanted to tell the bastard off, but by the time I made it to my car, I’d succeeded in calming down enough to think clearly.
Taking a deep breath, I looked at my reflection in the rearview mirror and gave myself a much needed pep talk. Don’t let him get to you, Shay. You need this job and the money it will bring. Billy will understand if you can’t work the whole two weeks. And as for Stefan March, when you play him, which sure as God made little green apples you will, you’ll get even for what he just did.
I WATCHED Shay leave after serving up my little spiel about not giving a fuck. When I finally got her under me, I’d enjoy the feeling of conquering such a woman. She had fire, no doubt. And now I knew what I’d suspected since seeing her storm out hours earlier—she could dish it out, but she couldn’t take it.
Smiling to myself from this first victory, I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Kane coming down the stairs with his same surly look from earlier. Whatever. At least one of us was having a great day.
“Kane, big brother? How are you?”
He stopped in front of me and folded his arms across his chest. Looking down at me, he frowned. “I have to say I’m intrigued by your seduction efforts, Stefan. Do most women you have like being treated like shit?”
“All women like being treated like shit, Kane. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t want players and bad boys. Were you spying on me?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. I just happened to hear your conversation with your new bartender. A dozen women? Where have you been hiding them? I’ve only seen her and Olivia here today.”
“All part of the plan. You watch the master in action. She’ll be on her knees in no time.”
“You’ll be lucky if she doesn’t cut off your dick while she’s down there. You’re playing this all wrong, Stefan. Trust me on this.”
I threw my head back and let out a full laugh. “Trust you? When was the last time you even had a woman? Take notes, Kane. Maybe your sex life will improve. This one’s already on the hook. All I have to do is reel ‘er in.”
“Whatever you say. I’m going to enjoy your place. It’ll be a nice change from my rooms here.”
“Don’t start moving in quite yet, but make sure that car of yours is all ready to go. I don’t need it sputtering on me when I open that baby up. She’s going to feel so fucking good when she finally gets the right person driving her.”
“You talking about my car or your new bartender?”
Rolling my eyes, I turned back to my paperwork. “The car, of course. Shay doesn’t concern me at all. This is a game, Kane. Don’t go getting all emotional about it. After today, it’s going to feel so fucking good playing her.”
“You sound pretty emotional about this, Stef. I think she got under your skin earlier. I stand by my prediction. That woman won’t touch you with a ten foot pole. She can get better, and she knows it, especially after what you just pulled.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’ll see. She’s halfway there already. If you want to sweeten the pot on our deal, though…”
I smiled as I waited to see if Kane took the bait. He wanted to see me get my ego handed to me with this girl so much, I was pretty sure he’d want to up the ante. From behind me, I heard him make a low groan.
“I’ll take that. What do you want, and don’t say my car permanently because that’s not going to happen.”
Turning around, I saw his expression telling me I couldn’t push the car thing more. No matter. I had bigger plans. “I want your area.”
The look of shock that crossed his face made just saying those words worth it, but he took the bait, with reservations. “What about Cash? I don’t think he’s going to appreciate us using anything in the club as part of a bet.”
“If you think I’m going to win our little wager, just admit I’m that good and we can drop it. Just say the words, Kane. You’re that good, Stefan. That’s all I need to hear.”
“No fucking way, Stef. You’re not a good enough player to get that woman. No way. No how. I’ll bet my part of the club on it. But now I want something.”
“What? You already get my condo for a year if you win, which you won’t. What do you want, two years?”
“No. I’ll take the Ducati. Permanently.”
Now Kane wasn’t fucking around anymore. Putting my bike on the line made me squeamish. I didn’t doubt my ability to get Shay, but if by some act of God or something I lost the bet, I’d lose my bike and not even have Kane’s car to ride around in. I’d have a lot riding on this woman.
Putting on my best game face, I nodded my agreement to his newest terms. “Agreed. Do you know how great it’s going to be having your car, running the fantasies of this place, and getting that woman to bow down to me?”
Kane stuck his hand out and grabbed mine to shake on our deal. “I’ve been thinking of buying a bike, but I like taking yours better. I might even sell it and buy another one since it likely won’t fit me. All that, your apartment, and seeing Shay rub your face in it when she turns you down flat. This day is getting better by the minute.”
I yanked my hand back, already uneasy about what I’d have to give up for Shay Callahan if I lost. I couldn’t let my half-brother see I was worried, though. As far as he’d be concerned, I had it all under control.
Now I just had to believe she’d react like I thought she would.
I glanced at my watch and saw it was nearly seven. Looking around at the two dozen or so bartenders and servers I had for the night, I didn’t see Shay. Well, at least if she didn’t come back I wouldn’t have to give up my bike to Kane if I lost the bet. Too bad, though. It would have been fun breaking her.