Page 27 of Falling for Them

The guys have decent voices, but they’re not half as talented as the maid.When the song is over, they all step down even though the audience is asking for more.

Always leave them asking for more, that’s what my agent used to say.Wow, she’d be pissed to hear I’ve been hanging out in a karaoke bar and not even singing or drumming up interest for my old albums.

The two men with the maid try to talk her into sitting down with them, but I stand up again and catch her eye.I look pointedly toward the seat across from me in the booth.

I’m not asking her to join me, I’m telling her.

And she fucking comes over, her hips swaying in those jeans that are snug against her curves.

Once she’s seated across from me, I sit down, too.

“Can I buy you a drink?”I ask.

“I’d like some water,” she says.“And whatever you’re drinking.”

“Iced tea,” I say.

“Oh, never mind.”A little laugh—even her laugh sounds beautiful.“No caffeine for me, not this late, or I’ll never sleep.”

I don’t want her to sleep.I want her up all night, writhing on my cock.

She’s fucking Joel, Kingston said.

Like I care about Joel.This woman should be ours.

“You sounded good up there,” I say.

“Thanks.”

She doesn’t evade the compliment, but she doesn’t wholly embrace it, either.Praise makes her uncomfortable, which tells me she doesn’t get praised enough.

Joel doesn’t deserve her if he isn’t worshipping the damn ground she walks on.

“Where’s your boyfriend?”I ask.

“Working, probably.”

So they are dating, sounds like.

“Is it serious, between you two?”I ask.

“Yes.”

Fuck.I wonder if she’s cool with him hooking up with other women.There isn’t an easy way to ask that question.At least, not yet.I need to tread carefully with her to start.

I take a drink of my iced tea while I flag down a server.I ask the maid, “You think you’ll come back to the Kitty Cat?”

“Maybe.”

The server hurries over.“Miss,” he says, “I have several people that-a-way asking what they can buy you to drink.”

“I’m taking care of her,” I say, my voice lowering with command.“Order whatever you want…” Shit, I still don’t know her name.

“Ella,” she says, grinning at me.

“Ella,” I finish.Rolls off the tongue.

“Some water, and a hard cider, please,” she says.