Chapter 13
“Mr. Haley… anything else, I’ll do. Just. not that,” she said, flustered.
Waylon gently lifted her chin, locking eyes with her. His gaze was intense and unreadable as he slowly leaned closer.
“Ms. Morse,” he said softly, “I’m in no hurry. Take your time to think it
over.
His breath brushed across her face, surrounding her like a warm current. Her heart pounded wildly, her nerves frayed. She was so tense she couldn’t even speak.
Just when she was certain he was about to kiss her, he suddenly pulled back. With a casual flick of his hand, he adjusted the front of her outfit.
“A girl should know how to protect herself,” he said. “Don’t dress like this when you’re out.”
Mona looked down and froze–she was still wearing the bunny girl outfit. from work.
When she’d sat up, the dress had ridden down. Two perfect curves were peeking out of the neckline. Waylon had tried to cover her, but the fabric had slipped again.
Panicking, she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over herself.
Then came his voice again. “It’s too tempting. And too dangerous.”
Her thoughts were in complete disarray. She nodded quickly. “Understood.”
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Waylon stood up. “The hospital bill came out to a little over 300 dollars. How about this weekend–you join me for a round of golf to settle the debt?”
“I don’t know how to play,” Mona said. Honestly, she didn’t want to go. She needed to work and earn money.
“I’ll teach you.” He gave her a faint, almost teasing smile. “Get some rest/I have a few things to take care of. Take care, Ms. Morse.”
With that, he turned and left–his retreating figure graceful to the point of
excess.
Mona sat frozen for a long moment, then snapped out of it with a start.
She never even got his number. ‘How is Mr. Haley going to reach me about the weekend?’ she thought.
Still, the bill had been paid. She wrapped herself in the blanket and let herself relax.
It was the first good night’s sleep she’d had since getting out of prison.
The next morning, Mona checked out of the hospital.
There was even a refund–70 dollars left over from what Waylon had paid.
Youth really was a blessing. Despite fainting the night before, a few hours. of sleep and some medication had her feeling good as new.
That evening, she returned to the nightclub.
But as soon as she walked in, the floor manager waved her off. “Mr. Haley already cleared your shift for tonight. You’re not on the schedule.”
“I’m feeling better,” Mona said. “I can work.”
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Chapter13
The manager gave her a quick lookover. Her color was back. She looked. fine.
“Alright then. Here’s your pay from last night.”
He handed her a sealed envelope. She opened it and froze.
“300 dollars?” she blinked.
“Mr. Hardin ordered several bottles last night,” the manager said casually. “We credited it to your sales.”
“Mr. Hardin?” she asked, eyebrows lifting slightly.
“Yeah, the one who was here with Mr. Haley. That Mr. Hardin.”
He gave her a knowing pat on the shoulder. “Those guys are the real deal. If you manage to cozy up to even one of them–doesn’t even have to be serious–just a short fling could set you up for life.”
Mona’s stomach turned. She didn’t need confirmation to know that “Mr. Hardin” was the same man who’d tried to force himself on her last night.
Just remembering the look in his eyes made her skin crawl.
“Manager. is Mr. Hardin here tonight?” she asked, voice careful.
If Waylon hadn’t stepped in yesterday. she couldn’t bear to think about. how it might’ve ended.
“He’s here. Asked for you by name. Be smart about this. Play it right, and you could walk away with a lot more than a few tips.”
Her blood ran cold. “Manager, I’m… not feeling well again. Can I take the night off?”
Chapter13
She couldn’t afford to provoke Tanner–but she could avoid him.
“No problem,” the manager said easily. “Mr. Haley already said you could take time off. You’re free to go.”
Mona let out a breath of relief, turned, and made a beeline for the elevator.
As she waited, the elevator dinged–and the doors slid open to reveal none other than Tanner.
Their eyes met.
Without a second thought, Mona turned and headed straight for the stairwell.
But he was faster.
In just a few strides, Tang caught up to her, grabbed her arm, and yanked her back.
“Where do you think you’re going, gorgeous?” he said, a smirk curling at the corners of his mouth. “We’ve got unfinished business.”
Mona turned and gave a faint smile. “Mr. Hardin, I’m not feeling well tonight–I’ve already taken the night off. I just want to go home and rest. Would you mind letting me go?”
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