Page 23 of The Reluctant Siren
“I’ll have a beer.” He wouldn’t drink it, but they needed tolook like they fit in.
“This creature can handle that,” she replied with a smile.
“Tell me they’re making you call yourself that,” Harlowsaid.
He thought they were trying to fit in. Wasn’t askingquestions like that going to get them in trouble?
The young woman’s eyes rolled. “It’s part of the experience.We’re supposed to be like these submissives. I don’t know. It was somethingabout us not having names so the clients can fantasize. It was a lot. Thisplace is weird. I’m thinking of quitting. I’m kind of worried it’s a cult. Butthe bartender is heavenly. At least he was until he pulled his disappearingact. I don’t even know why I’m here.”
“It’s so hard to get a good job these days.” Harlow was off,sounding soft and sweet and totally girlie, like she was the best friend youalways hoped to have.
He sat back and watched her work. Within minutes of meeting,she knew the waitress was named Ashley and this was her part-time job. She alsoworked for an insurance company, but she was in a probationary period and kindof hated it and wanted to go back to school, but she didn’t have the cash andthis place paid pretty well. Ashley told her the club was attached to some kindof corporate group, and they often hired people from the club for higher-payingwork.
“Like three of the waitresses I trained with are alreadyworking upstairs and making serious money,” Ashley was saying.
Oh, this was Harlow’s superpower. His baby was one of thosepeople everyone opened up to. When he’d first heard the word private detectivehe’d had a vision of her in gritty situations, playing out those noir scenes inmovies, but it hit him that this was the real job. Talking to people, gettingthem to say more than they should.
She was excellent at it.
“But I will admit the scenery is gorgeous, and I’m nottalking about the décor,” Ashley said with a knowing wink. “Not that you needit. Your guy is hot, but I will say the new bartender is chef’s kiss hot, andhe has that oh, shucks cowboy thing going for him. But the hottest guy here isthe dungeon monitor. I’m not joking, that man is heaven. Master J. If you get achance, take a look at him.” She turned Niall’s way with a rueful grin. “Again,not that you are not superhot, Sir.”
He had to chuckle at that. “I appreciate it, Ashley, and mygirl there is welcome to look as long as she comes back to me.”
Ashley looked to Harlow. “I changed my mind. That attitudealone makes him the hottest. Girl, run. The guys here are mostly possessivejerks. But there are some fun things to do. I can take you to one of theplayrooms. There’s some wild stuff in there.”
“Is this one bothering you, Sir?” a deep voice asked.
He looked up and a middle-aged man in leathers stood there.“Not at all. I find her amusing, and she’s being incredibly welcoming to mysub. We just got here and we already like it, thanks to that one. She’s anexcellent sub and a good server.”
He had to hope this obvious authority figure hadn’t heardeverything.
“Well, she’s supposed to be working not talking, but I’mglad she’s made you comfortable. Go and get their drinks,” he said to Ashley,who scurried off to do his bidding.
Niall held out a hand, and Harlow sank down onto his lap.“It’s a nice place you have here. My sub and I are new to the lifestyle, andthis is exactly what we’ve been looking for.” If they were hoping to play in ahellscape. He didn’t say that part out loud. “I’m Nate.”
It was the name they’d agreed on. Ruby had told him it wasNate or Nolan. He’d made some snarky comment about the name Nolan that earnedhim a hearty glaring from Ruby, who apparently liked baseball or something.
“Phil,” the other man said and shook his hand.
Harlow cuddled close, her head down like she was slightlyafraid of the big guy.
Or she was playing her part to perfection.
“Nice to meet you,” Niall replied. “We thought we would havea drink or two and then watch some of the scenes. Kind of ease in. I think itwould help a lot if you would let some of the subs talk to mine. She’s on thefence but I’m invested. I want this to work.”
“I’ll see if I can send over one of our more experiencedsubs,” Phil offered. “This kind of lifestyle can offer a lot for a man. Ittakes us back to when things were good, if you know what I mean.”
Sure. When women couldn’t have their own bank accounts andcouldn’t leave a man who abused her. Fucking asshole. This guy was why thelifestyle caught so much shit. He took something that was personal andindividual, that demanded communication and understanding, and turned it intogender wars. But he smiled and agreed. “I do indeed. So if you would help meconvince her, I would be so thankful.”
Harlow cuddled in closer, her arms tightening.
“Will do,” Phil said. “I know exactly who you should talkto. I’ll see if she’s around. Hopefully she’s not taking an unexpected breaklike my bartender. You can’t fucking find decent help these days.”
He stomped off.
“You are so good at this,” Harlow said, her hand coming upto caress his cheek.
He breathed her in because he could feel the tension in theair. “I can handle the Doms. I spent enough time around my father and hisfriends to know how to act like an abusive prick who thinks he needs to controlwomen.”
