Page 8 of Don't Bet On It
“That’s Maker’s Mark, right?” I asked even though I already knew the answer. He’d ordered four doubles since he sat down, which was only an hour before.
“That’s right.” Dickie sent me a lascivious wink, slapped his hand on my ass again, and then left it there.
I was about to tell him where he could shove that hand—no job was worth this—when Rex Carter appeared out of nowhere and removed Dickie’s hand from its current perch.
“Everybody having fun?” Rex asked. He was head of security and engaged to Ruby Stone, Zach’s sister. He was also Olivia’s brother, and I’d known him for years. I was actually fond of him … despite his inflated ego. Normally, I hated that. Rex was too charming not to like, however.
“I’m having a great time,” Dickie enthused as he tried to move his hand back to my bottom.
Rex kept a firm hold on it. “That’s great. I want everybody to have a good time.” He met Jack Klinger’s gaze evenly. Rex was not the type of person to back down, whether he was dealing with one of the biggest stars on the planet or not.
After holding Jack’s gaze for several seconds, Rex turned back to Dickie. “We don’t touch the servers,” he said firmly.
I was taken aback. Was Rex going to pick a fight with a huge contingent of movie stars? Holy cannoli.
“What?” Dickie made a sputtering noise, his cheeks flooding with color. “I wasn’t doing anything.”
“I saw what you weren’t doing.” Rex’s gaze moved back to Jack. “I want you boys to have a good time. That’s what Vegas is all about, right? We do not, however, put our hands on people without permission.”
Jack looked as if he wanted to argue with Rex. He held the security chief’s gaze for three agonizing seconds. Then he sighed. “No touching the waitress’s ass, Dickie,” he said finally.
Waitress? Who still used the word waitress? Good grief.
“It was an accident,” Dickie insisted. “My hand slipped.”
“Well, there will be no need for it to slip again.” As if to prove he was serious, Rex moved to the bar. He obviously had no intention of leaving. “Hey, Todd, can I get an iced tea when you have a minute?” he asked the bartender.
Todd, who was busy mixing drinks, merely nodded. “Give me three minutes.”
“No hurry,” Rex assured him, his eyes moving to me. I’d gone with him to the bar—I had drink orders to put in—but I was still coming to terms with what had happened. “Are you okay?” he asked me after a beat.
That was enough to snap me back to reality. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Um, yes, I did.” Rex shook his head. “You don’t have to put up with that.”
“I appreciate it, but would you have done that for a different server?”
He seemed confused by the question. “Yes, I would’ve done that for each and every server.”
“You didn’t do it because my best friend happens to be your sister? Did she send you down here to check on me?”
“She did not, and I didn’t do it because you’re friends with Olivia. I did it because you’re not a thing. You might be a server, but that doesn’t mean you’re on the menu.”
I didn’t even realize I’d been holding my breath until the oxygen whooshed out. “I appreciate that.” I meant it. “I just… I had no idea what I was supposed to do.”
“You’re not supposed to allow them to make you uncomfortable.” Rex’s gaze was kind. “If you’re uncertain, text me, huh? Do you have my number?”
I was so appreciative of his presence, I could have cried. I didn’t, though. That would be unprofessional. Instead, I nodded and smiled. “Thanks for stepping in.” I flicked my eyes to Todd. “Maker’s Mark, double, with a lemon wedge. If you slip some Drano into the glass, I won’t complain.”
Todd’s lips quirked. Unlike Kyla, he hadn’t been upset when I showed up on time and ready to work on my first day. He’d been grateful I knew my way around an order. He’d been pleasant. He hadn’t been overly friendly or anything. I had a feeling that was because Kyla kept sending him dirty looks. I didn’t come right out and ask him.
“Do you stop in here often?” I asked Rex, turning back to him.
He nodded. “Somebody needs to check in once an hour. I don’t mind because it gives me a few minutes to decompress. I’m here for a specific reason today, though.”
Before I could ask what that reason was, Ruby Stone swept into the room. She had a baby lodged on her hip and one of those carrier things—the ones parents strapped to their chests—in her other hand.
“Head down,” she barked at Rex, who smiled at her adoringly.
