Manny was on the sidelines, watching my every move. I was the new girl. If I didn’t make the customers happy, I’d be gone. I knew that, so I kept the orders straight, slapped away hands with good humor, and kept my temper when one guy decided that Blondie should come home with him. At that, Manny moved in. He wasn’t just window dressing. He had two giant bouncers who took the drunk out of there.
“You’re doing fine. Keep it up.” He looked me over. “Bill’s right. Nice jugs. Show’s about to start. Make sure everyone’s got a full drink before the curtain comes up.” He strolled away, hands in his pocket.
I tried not to notice the way his trousers hugged his taut butt. How long since I’d had a boyfriend? A year, two? Time flew when you weren’t having fun, but just trying to make a living. I had to admit Manny was my type, tall, dark and masculine in a take-charge kind of way. No, not happening, Misty had seen him first. But then Sid walked in and took a spot at the bar. Too bad my roomie seemed to like her men brutal and thuggish.
In a few minutes the lights went down except for a few spots on the floor that helped me wend my way through the tables to deliver a few more drinks. The show was about to start. My heart went out to Misty. I know how nervous she was about performing topless. When Manny jumped on the stage and took the microphone, I swear my heart pounded as hard as if it was me about to perform.
“Ladies and…” He peered at the darkened room. “Hell, there’s no ladies here. Okay, gents, the show’s about to start. We’ve got some beautiful women about to perform for you. After the show, they’ll circulate among you. Want a picture, just ask. For a price, our professional photographer will take it and you’ll have a great souvenir to take home and show off to the jealous jerks back home. Look but don’t touch. Eat your hearts out, assholes!”
Loud, pulsating music started and the curtains opened. I gasped when I saw the dozen women in their costumes move to the music. It was beautiful. They stepped together perfectly, balancing their huge headdresses while wearing practically nothing. Oh, yeah, their bodies gleamed from Mae’s body paint and stardust. I saw Misty stumble for a moment. Her eyes widened. She must have seen Sid. She knew he didn’t care if she danced. He’d pushed her to do it. She found her feet and continued to move with the rest of the women, dipping and swaying, their hips making suggestive movements that had the men in the audience leaning forward.
I was leaning forward too when the dancers turned and you could see their perfect butts in their G-strings. Oh, my, I would never put on a costume like that. I had way too much ass. If only I’d known before Jerry had turned me vampire that I’d be stuck like this forever, I’d have laid off the roast beef and chocolate. Sticky buns! All those treats Jerry had bought for me because he’d found me starving. What had been a kindness had made me gain weight that I now regretted. Which was useless. I was stuck. Mae’s talk of a cabbage soup diet was wasted on me. Vampires don’t change. Believe me, I’ve tried.
I fingered the tips in my pocket. I’d heard there was a new synthetic blood that was supposed to be dietetic. Very expensive though. Out of my budget. Tomorrow night I might have time to run by the dealer and pick up some. He claimed to have testimonials. I could hear Valdez laughing about it now.
I was dreaming about a perfect body like Misty’s when I felt a hand on my ass. I’m an ancient vampire, remember? So can you blame me if my first instinct is kill?
3
Itook a breath and turned slowly. “Remove your hand or you’re going to be wearing this tray as a hat, bud.” I wasn’t surprised to recognize Sid attached to that hand. I couldn’t miss the cologne he bathed in, even in the dense fog of smoke and testosterone surrounding me.
He grinned and stepped back. “Relax, Gloria. Just being friendly.” He winked. “Nice to catch you without that damned dog around.”
“That damned dog has good instincts.” I picked up an empty glass and smiled at a customer. “You’re Misty’s boyfriend, last I checked. You have no business making a move on me.” Sid was still following me, too close.
“We’re not married or nothing like that. I can hit on anyone I want. You’re hot. Misty says you ain’t seeing anyone. Thought you might be lonely.” Sid slid a finger under my bra strap. “I can fix that.”
“I’d have to be desperate to hurt my roommate that way.” I faced Sid. “Sorry, but I just can’t take a chance that she’d throw me out. Understand?” I straightened his tie. No way was I making him mad. He wasn’t going away and I didn’t need the drama. I poked him in the stomach a little harder than necessary, smiling when he winced. “Thanks for the offer.” I backed away and ran right into Manny.
“This creep bothering you? Sid, take a hike.” Manny looked him over. “We don’t comp drinks here. Pay up and go.”
“It’s okay. I can handle Sid. But thanks, Manny.” I brushed past him and cleared another table, taking another drink order. I glanced back.
