Page 31 of Domino
He stands there for a moment looking at me, his smile faltering, apparently surprised by my little speech. Based on the look he was giving her, ol’ Keith was probably expecting me to complain about her, or something. He recovers quickly, though, and puts that well practiced smile back on his face.
“Oh well, I’m very glad to hear that. I’m glad you appreciate Ashley’s service. I only hire the best, you know,” he spits out.
“I can tell. And Ashley is the best hire you’ve made. Let me tell you, as a long-time patron, I’ve never felt more welcome in this establishment. And that’s all thanks to this little lady right here.”
Keith clears his throat. “Right. Well… I’ll leave you to it, then. Enjoy your meal, and I’m glad Ashley’s providing you with a positive experience.”
I put the cheesiest grin on my face that I can and give Keith a thumbs-up. He looks at me for another long moment, apparently trying to decide if he’s being put on or not. He apparently decides I’m being sincere, so he turns and walks without another word, leaving Ashley staring at me in surprise.
“Did I lay it on too thick? I kind of felt like I laid it on too thick,” I say.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“It sounded to me like I was telling your boss what a great employee you are, what a great job you’re doing for him. Bosses love hearing that kind of shit.”
“Jesus Christ,” she mutters.
“No, I told you that my name is Domino.”
“I’m not calling you Domino. That’s… childish.”
“Some people say I’m childish.”
“That’s not a great selling point.”
I shrug. “That’s fair. But if it’s not a great selling point, can I take that to assume that you’re in the market to buy? Or perhaps just rent?”
“You’re unbelievable.”
I give her a seductive little wink. “I’ve been told that before.”
“Oh my god, do you ever stop? Or are you always on like this?”
“Well, I do sleep from time to time.”
She’s posturing like she’s still mad, but I can tell she’s fighting to keep herself from laughing. Probably because she doesn’t want to encourage me. What she doesn’t know is that seeing her struggle to keep herself in check only encourages me more. I take that as a challenge to break through that shell she’s trying like hell to surround herself with. And I like challenges.
“Seriously, why did you ask to be seated in my section?” she asks.
“I told you the other day I wanted to get to know you.”
“You didn’t say you were going to stalk me.”
“Well… not that I’m actually stalking you, but I kind of did tell you I was going to do just that.”
She screws up her face, likely replaying our conversation over in her head. As the faint trace of a smile crosses her lips, I see that she remembers that I did, in fact, say I was going to do just what I’m doing now.
“I always do my best to keep my word,” I tell her.
Ashley looks over at one of her guests, who is trying to get her attention, then looks back at me.
“You should go,” she says.
“I haven’t had my breakfast yet. It is the most important meal of the day, you know.”
She blows out an aggravated breath and turns, walking away as she mutters to herself under her breath. I watch her go, admiring the graceful way her body swishes and sways as she moves. Ashley exudes femininity and grace. Her body is soft and yet firm in all the right places. She’s absolutely exquisite to look at. A piece of art made flesh. I could literally sit here and watch her all day. Of course, I’m not going to lie… watching her someplace else more private, with fewer clothes on, would be far preferable.
She comes back to my table, a look of exasperation on her face. “What do you want, Max?”
