A Perfect Storm
Page 53

“Oh.” Pretending surprise at the intrusive voice, Arizona looked over her shoulder—and had to pull back so that she wouldn’t bump into him. He’d crowded so close, she felt the threat of his presence even though he wore a smile. “No, really. I don’t—”
“It’s on the house.” Music faded. The lights sent demonic shadows over his face as he visually caressed her boobs. “A pretty girl should never go hungry.”
Trying to be objective, Arizona decided that he wasn’t a bad-looking man. Not a troll by any stretch. But she knew who he was, what he did and what he wanted.
That made her want him dead.
“Umm…” She smiled in false appreciation. “Thank you, but…”
“I insist.” With a hand on her shoulder, he leaned in closer but didn’t offer his name. “Tell Quin what you want.”
Quin. Was that really the young man’s name? Doubtful. But it’d give her an in for setting up a contact. “If you’re sure it’s okay, then maybe a salad and a BLT?”
He bent a level look on Quin. “Bring her a piece of pie, too.”
Before the waiter could leave, she touched his arm. “Thank you, Quin.”
Haunted eyes met her gaze. He nodded and hurried off, leaving Arizona alone with the mouth-breather.
Great.
Shoring up her level of tolerance, she swiveled on the stool to fully face the douche again. Her knees bumped into him, yet neither of them moved away. He had the attitude of a man used to getting his way.
Now that he’d met her, he was bound for disappointment.
Next to Spencer, this guy looked like a complete wimp. And that brought out other quick comparisons. All around her, the usual drunks mixed, mingled or just nursed their drinks.
The creep in front of her gained power by controlling and abusing others. He gave his allegiance to a trafficker, and so did the bartender.
They were foul where Spencer was pure, and, put to the test, one on one, man to man, she knew Spencer would easily crush them all.
But cruelty gave an added edge; when a man didn’t care who he hurt or how he inflicted pain, he could do a lot of damage in a short amount of time.
Though she knew the answer, she asked sweetly, with just a touch of awe, “Are you the boss?”
“No.”
“Oh.” Pouting in mock disappointment, she said, “You seem so much like a boss that I just assumed.”
He moved to her side and leaned back, putting both elbows on the bar. The pose pulled his shirt taut over a slight gut and emphasized his scrawny chest. “Like a boss how?”
By necessity, they remained so close she could smell his breath. “You know. Very…” She smiled and allowed a slight shiver. “In charge.”
“That’s because I am in charge.” Cocky, full of self-importance, he bragged, “I’m the boss’s number-one man.”
In a show of eagerness, she leaned closer. “You are?”
“That’s right.” His gaze settled on her mouth. “What’s your name, pretty girl?”
She’d already thought about this, and said without hesitation, “Candy.”
One brow lifted, and he gave a short laugh. “I can believe that.” With one finger, he touched her chin. “You’re so sweet, I think I’m getting a toothache.”
Oh, puh-leeze. Could he be any cheesier? Wishing she could blush on cue, Arizona ducked her face. “Thank you.”
Finally, he held out a hand. “I’m Carl.”
Aha. One big fish in the barrel. “So nice to meet you, Carl.” Knowing she wouldn’t get it back anytime soon, she gave him her hand.
For a heart-stopping moment, as he lifted her hand toward his face, she thought he planned to kiss the back of her fingers. Already her stomach pitched with revulsion.
She did not want his disgusting mouth on her. Her breath stalled in her lungs, and she waited.
Instead, he examined her short, unpolished nails. “No rings? No manicure?”
Asshole. If she was a young woman down on her luck, he sure wouldn’t make her feel any better.
“No funds,” Arizona said as if confessing a sin.
“Is that so?”
A big sigh brought his gaze back to her chest. It was easier for Arizona to conceal her hatred when she didn’t have to look him in the eyes. “I’ve been job hunting, but so far, no luck.”
“You mean a woman with your classy chassis doesn’t have someone to take care of her?”
She forced a smile at the crude compliment. “I’m all alone.”
Shrewd eyes narrowed in speculation. “No boyfriend?”
“Afraid not.”
He studied her doubtfully. “I find that really hard to believe.”
Damn. She didn’t want him to get too suspicious. “It’s hard, you know? I mean, I’ve met a few good guys who were fun to be around. I enjoyed them, but…”
“But what?”
“They started to get too…well, clingy.” She toyed with the end of a lock of hair that fell over her chest. “I want to make it on my own, see some of the world, not get tied down so soon.”
Guarded, he gave her long scrutiny before coming to some conclusion. “I saw you talking to Quin.”
“I asked about a job.”
His eyes narrowed. “What did he say?”
“That I’d have to talk to you.” Quin had said no such thing, but she wasn’t about to get him into trouble. “That’s why I came back. I was hoping…well, do you need any more help here?”