“But…Cole, I can’t.”
“Make up your mind, Shannon. We help you, it’s on my terms.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Yes or no, Shannon, what’s it gonna be?”
Her eyebrows shot up, and she bit out, “Okay. Fine.”
The corners of Crash’s mouth pulled up. Oh, it was anything but fine, judging by her tone and body language. Obviously, his VP saw it, too.
Cole leaned forward. “Piece of advice, babe. Lose the attitude.”
Shannon folded her arms and leaned back against the seat. Crash could tell it was costing her dearly to sit there and say nothing in response.
Cole looked at her and nodded toward Crash. “Give him the money.”
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a thick envelope. She held it out to Crash.
He took it, opened the flap and thumbed through the stack. Fifty one-hundred dollar bills. Then he whistled low. “That’s a pretty sight.”
Apparently satisfied, Cole grabbed his glass up off the table and slid out of the booth without another word to her. As he passed by Crash propped on the barstool, he paused next to him, leaned in and mouthed silently, “She’s all yours, brother.”
Crash made a barely perceptible nod of his head, his eyes moving to Shannon as he stood and slid the envelope in the back pocket of his jeans.
Cole continued to the bar, where he downed the rest of his drink, set his glass on the bar and gave a chin lift to Marty. He turned and headed towards the door.
Crash watched Shannon as her eyes tracked him.
“Where’s he going?” she asked, her attention swinging back to Crash.
“He’s got actual important shit to do that doesn’t involve babysitting.”
She squinted her eyes at him, as if to say ‘very funny’.
A moment later, Red Dog walked over, grabbed her bag off the floor and headed out the door.
She looked from him, then back to Crash, questioningly.
“It’s just you and me, babe,” Crash informed her. He watched the emotions cross her face, and he’d bet the farm she was second guessing her decision to come here. But, as much as her attitude grated on him, he couldn’t help but empathize with the vulnerability that, for just a moment, flashed in her eyes. It was there and gone so quickly, he would have missed it, if he hadn’t been watching her beautiful eyes so closely. “I think you need a drink.”
“I think I need two.”
“Come on, darlin’. Let’s move this party to the bar,” he said, nodding toward where Marty was standing wiping the bar top down. Then he stood and extended his hand to her. He watched as her eyes moved from his extended hand to his face, and then she slipped her hand in his. He closed his hand gently around her much smaller one, and she slid from the booth.
Crash led her to the bar, pulled out a barstool for her and couldn’t help but let his eyes stray over the length of her legs as she hiked a hip onto the stool. He smiled. “What’ll you have, darlin’?”
Marty looked at her, waiting for her order. She considered a moment before replying, “Mudslide. But instead of vodka, could you substitute coconut rum, please?”
Marty smiled. “That’s a new one, but sure.”
Crash set his glass on the bar. “And a refill for me, Marty.”
Marty moved off to make their drinks, and Crash dug in his hip pocket to pull out some folded money held with a money clip. He slid a twenty off the top and laid it on the bar.
“I just gave you an envelope full of money. Why aren’t you using that?” Shannon asked him.
His head swiveled to look at her as he slid the clip back on. “This is my treat, Princess.”