Page 50 of Worth the Risk

Dan:We’re going to have to do something about the Wednesday and Saturday crowds before something serious happens.

Bella:Worse than a margarita shower and broken glasses?

Dan:That wouldn’t have happened on a slow night. Be careful, yeah?

Bella:I will.

Dan:Can’t wait to see you again, beautiful.

Bella:Counting the hours until Monday night.

***

ON SATURDAY MORNING, he texted her first.

Dan:How did you sleep, baby?

Bella:Not great. My bed seems bigger without you in it.

Dan:Don’t mention bed to me right now. I’m trying hard not to picture you sleepy-eyed with your hair mussed but failing miserably. It’s not fun trying to hide a hard-on from two tweens but frying bacon with one could be dangerous.

Bella:I think you’re the first person who has ever texted me the words hard-on.

Dan:I better be the last, too!

Bella: I miss you, already. And it hasn’t even been a full day yet.

Dan:Three more days will drag by. Babe. Sorry, but I hear the kids. We’ll text longer tonight.

***

THE CROWD WAS GOODsized. Not the usual Saturday bursting-at-the-seams size because Elena had a rare weekend off, but it was enough to keep Bella hopping. She was working again with Marcy who was a few years older than her, but friendly, and willing to help the new girl when she got into the weeds. She was popular among the club members and made it clear to available doms, male and female, that she was looking for someone to take her on permanently. She wasn’t cloying or over-the-top about it, just straightforward, which she was with everything. It was rather refreshing.

Around 10 o’clock, Bella made the rounds on her tables. Everyone was served, and they had refills if needed, so she asked Marcy to cover for her and went to the back to check in with Dan.

Bella:I’m on break. Did you and the kids do anything fun today?

It was only a minute before he answered.

Dan:I wore them out. We went to a street fair this morning and watched a San Antonio State baseball game this afternoon. Because they spend half their lives with their noses stuck to a screen, I think their bodies overdosed on fresh air and sunshine. They both conked out at 9:30, which, for them, is sacrilege.

Bella laughed and sent him an LOL emoji.

Dan:So here I am, lying in bed, it’s still early, and I’m all by my lonesome.

Bella:I’m sorry. If I wasn’t working, I’d come over and keep you company.

Dan:Where are you now?

Bella:In the breakroom in the back.

Dan:Are you alone?

Bella, instantly suspicious, dashed off her response:Why?

Dan: Answer my question.

She could almost hear his stern, dominant tone coming through the screen.

---