14. Corey
14
COREY
M y breath catches as Abbie walks toward our table. The dim lights of the VIP suite cast shadows across her face, making those hazel eyes shine brighter. She takes small, careful steps - like a fawn testing new ground.
"Hi." Her voice comes out soft, unsure.
Seth's eyes light up, a slow grin spreading across his face. I know that look. I've seen it a thousand times before he moves in for the kill. I shoot him a possessive look from across the table.
"Abbie, glad you could join us. This is Seth Baker. My business partner."
"And old friend." Seth extends his hand, holding hers a beat too long. "Corey's been quite... secretive about you."
The tips of her ears flush pink. She tugs at the bottom of her vest, and I don't know if it's possible for her to be more adorable than she is right now.
I catch Seth's eye. That predatory gleam hasn't faded. My jaw tightens. Down boy. The warning must show on my face because he steps back, hands raised in mock surrender.
"What can I get for you gentlemen tonight?" She pulls out her notepad, nearly dropping her tray in the process. The sight of her fingers trembling around her pen makes my chest tighten. She's trying to be all business, and that's the last thing we want her up here for.
"Here, set those down." I pat the empty space on the leather booth beside me. "You won't need them."
Her brow furrows but she complies, placing the tray and notepad on the table with careful precision. The scent of her perfume - something sweet and floral - drifts over, sending a wave of desire through me. I slide the items further away. "We're not asking for you to serve us tonight."
Seth lounges back, crossing his ankle over his knee. "We're quite capable of mixing our own poison. Done that for years, quite well."
"What we'd really like..." I gesture to the empty seat. "Is for you to join us for a drink instead. Or two. Or maybe three."
The leather creaks as Seth shifts forward, already reaching for the crystal decanter behind the booth. "I make a mean Old Fashioned. What's your poison, darling?"
I shoot him another warning look at the pet name. He just grins wider, the bastard.
Abbie nervously glances toward the door. "I really shouldn't. As far as I know, customers aren't supposed to handle the alcohol themselves - it's against state regulations."
The way her nose scrunches up when she quotes policy makes my pulse race. Such a good girl, following all the rules. I want to corrupt every inch of that innocence.
"Oh sweetheart." Seth chuckles, crystal decanter still in hand. "Live a little dangerously."
"I could lose my job." Her fingers twist together. "And you could get kicked out."
I let my voice drop low. "Trust me, we won't get caught. The staff knows they need to give us privacy up here."
"But-"
"Abbie." I catch her gaze, holding it. "Come sit with me. Just for a few minutes."
A blush creeps up her neck. "I have tables downstairs..."
"Let someone else handle them." My hand finds the small of her back, pulling her closer in the booth. "You work too hard. Take a break."
"I really shouldn't..." But she's wavering, I can feel it.
"Such a rule follower." I trace my fingers up her spine. "It's adorable."
Seth sets out three crystal glasses with a clink. "Come on, darling. One drink won't hurt."
The war between temptation and duty plays across her face. God, she's beautiful when she's flustered. I want to see that look in other contexts, preferably with far less clothing involved.
"There's something you should know." I take her hand, drawing her closer. "Seth and I aren't just customers. We're silent partners in this establishment."
Her eyes widen. "What?"
"Michael knows we requested you up here." Seth pours amber liquid into the crystal tumblers. "You won't get in trouble."
"You own this place?" Her voice rises an octave. "But I thought-"
"We prefer to stay behind the scenes." I accept the brandy he passes over. "Lets us observe how things really run."
A small wrinkle appears between her brows. "So that first night we met..."
"Pure coincidence." I press the cool glass into her palm. "Though I'm grateful for it."
"To serendipity." Seth raises his glass with a wink.
The brandy catches the light as Abbie lifts hers hesitantly. Her shoulders relax as she takes a small sip, tongue darting out to catch a stray drop.
"And to new friends." I clink my glass against hers, watching her cheeks flush pink. "Now stop worrying about work and enjoy yourself."
"I suppose I can manage that." A smile tugs at her lips as she settles back against the leather. "Since you're technically my boss and all."
"See? She's catching on already." Seth tops off our glasses. "Smart girl."
The brandy starts working its magic. With each sip, each story, her posture softens, her laugh comes easier. She's pressed against my side now, warm and pliant, sending electricity through every point of contact.
"No way. You didn't actually do that." Her eyes sparkle as Seth regales her with stories from our college days.
"Hand to God. Corey here climbed right up that flagpole. Stark naked."
"In my defense, I was very drunk." I take another sip. "And someone dared me."
"That someone being me." Seth's grin is pure mischief. Just like back then.
Abbie's head tips back as she laughs, exposing the elegant line of her throat. "I can't picture you doing anything so... reckless."
"Oh, he wasn't always this buttoned-up." Seth leans forward, conspiratorial. "Used to be quite the wild one."
"Really?" She turns those bright eyes on me. The heat in them makes my pulse quicken.
"Seth's exaggerating." My fingers trace lazy patterns on her shoulder. "I was merely... adventurous."
"Still is." Seth winks at her. "When properly motivated."
The blush that spreads across her cheeks is delicious. She keeps biting at that lower lip, a gesture that sends heat straight to my core. The way she keeps glancing between Seth and me... interesting.
"Another drink?" Seth's already reaching for the decanter.
"Mmm, maybe just one more.” Her voice has gone soft and honeyed and she shifts closer, if that's even possible.
The familiar rhythm of friendly ribbing, the warmth of good liquor, the electric tension in the air - it's like being back in college. Except now, instead of chasing sorority girls, I'm sharing meaningful looks with my best friend over this enchanting creature between us.
"Remember that time in Miami?" Seth starts, and we're off again, trading stories and laughter while Abbie soaks it all in. Her hand finds my thigh under the table. Definitely not so shy anymore. Can’t wait to see where this evening goes.
After several more hours of drinks and nonstop laughter, the last call bell rings through the bar, and Abbie sways slightly as she stands. My hand automatically steadies her waist.
"I should get my car," she mumbles, fumbling in her purse.
"Not a chance." I pluck her keys from her fingers. "You're way too drunk to drive."
"I am not!" She slurs slightly as she drops her keys on the table.
Seth leans on the bar, eyebrows raised. "My place is three blocks away. We can walk, let her sober up."
"I'm fine," Abbie protests, but stumbles when she takes a step. I catch her, pulling her against my chest.
"Sure you are, sweetheart." The endearment slips out naturally. "Humor me."
"But my car-"
"Will be perfectly safe in the employee lot," Seth says. "I'll have someone bring it to you tomorrow."
She looks up at me through heavy-lidded eyes. "You don't have to take care of me."
"Want to. Big difference." I wrap my arm more securely around her waist. "Seth's got coffee, water, and a very comfortable couch."
"Not to mention excellent company," Seth adds with a wink.
"The best," I agree, guiding her toward the door. The night air hits us, and Abbie shivers. Without thinking, I shrug off my jacket and drape it over her shoulders. It swallows her small frame, and something primitive stirs in me at the sight.
"Such a gentleman," she murmurs, snuggling into the fabric.
Seth falls into step beside us. "Don't let him fool you. He once pushed me into a fountain."
"You deserved it," I say, tightening my hold as Abbie stumbles again. "And you were hitting on my date."
"Details, details." Seth waves his hand dismissively. "Besides, she ended up going home with neither of us."
Abbie giggles, the sound warming me more than any bourbon. "Karma's a bitch."
"That she is," I agree, steering her around a corner. "Just like Seth deserved that fountain bath."
"You guys didn't like... roofie me or anything, right?" She peers up at me, her eyes glassy but sharp. "Because I feel way drunker than I should from just bourbon."
Seth barks out a laugh. "Sweetheart, if we were going to drug you, we wouldn't have spent two hours telling you embarrassing stories about ourselves."
"Good point." She wrinkles her nose. "But you're both successful businessmen taking a drunk bartender home. It's sketchy."
"Text your roommate," I say, pulling out my phone. "Tell her where you are. Have her track your location. We want you safe, not worried."
She fumbles with her phone, typing slowly. "Tessa's gonna flip when I tell her I'm with silver fox guy."
Heat creeps up my neck. "Silver fox guy?"
"Mhmm." She nods seriously. "That's what we call you. Well, that or daddy."
Seth doubles over laughing. "Oh, this is absolute gold."
"Jesus," I mutter, steadying her as she sways. "You're going to be the death of me."
"No dying allowed." She pokes my chest. "You're too pretty to die."
"And you're too drunk to filter." I guide her around another corner. "Almost there."
"M'not that drunk." She trips over nothing. "Okay, maybe a little. But I trust you guys. Don't know why, but I do."
Something inside me tightens at her words. "We'll take care of you, sweetheart. Promise."
"Like proper gentlemen," Seth adds, unlocking his car door. "Even if you did just call us sketchy."
"The sketchiest," she agrees solemnly, then breaks into giggles that echo through the parking lot.