Page 2 of The Vampire’s Prey

“I’m sorry. I’m just nervous—I just really need this job.”

He sighs and rubs a hand over his face. “Fair enough. But I do need to know if you have actual experience.”

Yes! Pausing, I allow myself a brief moment of gloating before turning back to business at hand. Anyone who thinks men are complicated are seriously not even trying. A small niggle of guilt wiggles about in my brain. If Father knew I manipulated him to get this job…I cut that line of thinking at its source. He wouldn’t have let me go if he suspected I had ulterior motives. My behavior is sinful and shameful, but I’m here now. Time to prove my worth.

“Of course! I wouldn’t have come here otherwise. I may not know every drink there is, but I know the basics and can read a recipe.”

I hold my breath. This is the moment of truth. If I don’t get a job, then I will have to come up with another strategy. At this point, failure is not an option. Given our interactions so far, I’m pretty sure it’s in the bag. However, he could still be an outlier. They usually pop up when you least want it.

“Can you start tonight?”

Another typical male for the win! It takes every ounce of willpower not to pump my fist cheer over my prowess.

“I do believe I dressed for the occasion.”

I give a slight twirl, letting him have a full view of all my assets.

“So it would seem. They’re a little tight on you, aren’t they?”

I pause and run my hands over my breasts and ass. I feel filthy resorting to this level, but just in case he’s Mr. No Nonsense and not Mr. Batting For The Other Team, I want to sell myself as not only a potential valuable employee but also a tasty morsel. Sometimes, one has to rely on their bodies to get them out of jams. It’s honestly easier to demonstrate lowered standards at the beginning. It’s so much more believable that way. I just hope Father is pleased with my performance and won’t berate me for tempting another with my wiles of the flesh.

“I had to borrow some from Barbara. It seems I’m a bit curvier than she is.” I lean forward and lower my lashes. “But if it keeps the drinks flowing, who’s to complain?”

“Fair point. This is just a trial run. If I get any complaints, I can have you escorted out. License please.”

“Understood.” I reach into the low-cut blouse to pull out my information and lay it out on the table.

He picks it up and stares for a long time, his gaze going from my face to the ID. I force my breath to remain even and send my brain into Safe Space where the nervousness cannot come to the surface. This I’ve practiced with Father. I have come too far to mess things up now. Just one more hurdle. One more, and I’m home free.

“Your eyes are different.”

“Well of course they are,” I force myself to laugh. “The goal is to entertain the guests and make money. I can’t do that with shit-brown eyes. These blue novelty lenses allow me to have an air of mystique about me. I must be alluring to snare my prey from the other bartenders.”

He simply stares at me for a moment. It feels like he’s weighing my words, but I have no idea against what.

“Mississippi is a long way from here. What brings you out to Tucson?”

“The cacti?”

He gives me another look. Raising my hands in surrender, I give a sigh.

“Parents. Okay? I’m trying to get as far away from them as I can. Surely you can appreciate that. I mean, you work at a bar. This basically screams rebel.”

He raises his eyebrow at my assessment but chooses to not comment. “There are places other than Tucson.”

“True. And for all I know, this could just be a stopping point. Thing is, whether I’m here for one month or one year, a girl has to eat.”

My breath catches in my throat as he walks closer to me. Even breathing. Even breathing.

“Tell me.” He stares me down, his eyes never leaving mine. “What are you really doing here? What do you want with Club Toxic?”

I feel it then. That slight pressure. That demand for entrance. Confirmed. I widen my eyes just slightly before lowering my gaze to the floor in false deference. When I look back up, I stare him down just as hard as he does me. “I’m here to find work and support myself until I decide to either stay or move on to the next state.”

He nods and hands me back my license. “Trial run. Go see Green to get you started.”

“Yes sir, Mr. Theophilus sir!”

I don’t wait for a reaction. Smirking, I turn around and head back down the way I came. Like candy from a baby.