“Let me see my phone, Colt.”
She felt Nash’s hands move to her waist. He gave her hips a squeeze, indicating for her to focus on him.
She looked back up into his eyes. She felt his grip on her hip bones, and it made her feel feminine and aroused.
“Don’t be scared. We’re the good guys, and we want to help.”
“Nash, please respect my wishes. Please stay out of this. I don’t want or need your help in my personal life. Can we please just get back to the menu?”
He stared down into her eyes a moment, and something told her that this conversation with him wasn’t over. But now that Lou interrupted, saying that the guests would be arriving in fifteen minutes and that they were behind schedule, Nash released her.
She immediately took her phone from Colt.
“We’ll discuss this later,” she told him then tossed the phone onto the bar where the clipboard sat, and she began asking Lou to start creating one of the drinks on the menu.
* * * *
An hour later, Nash stood next to Riker, watching Chastity interact with the guests. He had to admit that the woman had an innate ability to draw people in and get them to open up about the new club. The guests were scattered around different areas of Hidden Treasures and introduced to the new aspects of the restaurant and club. Overall, it was a hit. Each person rated the area they were in, the service being provided, and their overall feelings of the new name and the club itself. The papers were gathered and then surprisingly, Chastity revealed the ultimate surprise of the evening. There was a dance floor and new DJ area with a large aquarium as the back drop that added a final touch. Both Nash and Riker were shocked.
“Oh my God, is that a treasure chest?” someone asked as the guests explored the aquarium, and Chastity gave the signal for the music to start. Instantaneously, some of the crowd cheered and began dancing, getting the full effect of the atmosphere. While others walked over to their favorite spots, indicating to Nash and Riker that Chastity had been right about it all.
Riker moved in behind Chastity as she stood to the side and watched the guests. She had a smile on her face, and that in itself made Riker smile.
He gave her shoulder a little nudge with his arm as he stood next to her.
“A treasure chest with jewels coming out of it and a mermaid, too?” Nash took position on her other side.
“Well, I know how resistant you were to the name change. So I figured this was a compromise. If either of you don’t like it, we could change it all. But that would mean the logo, with that sexy mermaid sitting seductively on top of the treasure chest, and the aquarium, the various shrimp, lobster, and crab meals on the menu, and the—”
Nash turned toward her and cupped her chin with his hand. She gasped. “You did amazing, Chastity. You’re more than I imagined. The name, everything stays.”
“So how about you, Chastity? Will you stay?” Riker asked. But before she could respond, Nash lowered his lips to hers and kissed her lightly. He whispered against her lips. “Friends first, Chastity. Thank you, for everything.”
His heart was racing, but Nash was overwhelmed with attraction to Chastity. He thought about the bedroom upstairs, connected to their office, and about bringing her there. He could spread her out on the bed, and explore her body, with his hands and his lips. He never thought he could feel like this. But he knew she had fears. Hell, he had fears himself. Especially about the newest question that kept popping into his head.
Why did it never feel like this with Maggie? Did I imagine something more than was actually there?
* * * *
“I’m watching her right now.”
“Who is she with, Karen?” Desi asked as he paced the hotel room. He had left this morning, early, for a business trip. He wouldn’t be back until next week. He couldn’t believe that Chastity was getting an order of protection against him. Like that would fucking keep him away.
“Well, there are two guys with her right now. Both big, both very attractive.”
“Are they touching her?” he asked through clenched teeth.
“Well, they’ve been very attentive all night. But she seems resistant.”
“How so?”
“Well, every time they whisper next to her ear or approach her, she tightens up. She looks tense.”
“Who the fuck are they? I want you to find out who they are, Karen.”
“That’s easy, Desi. They own the place. They’re twin brothers.”
“A name?”