I turned the knob and walked inside. The entrance was empty and surprisingly clean. Someone had picked up the mess in here already. The marble floor even looked shiny. I heard a television coming from the large open living room. There wasn’t a lot of other noise. I made my way to the kitchen. I had a bed waiting on me. I’d really like a shower but I hadn’t talked to Rush about which shower I was supposed to use yet and I didn’t want to bother him tonight. I’d just sneak out tomorrow and use the same one I’d used this morning when I woke up tomorrow.

              The smell of garlic and cheese met my nose as I stepped into the kitchen. My stomach growled in response. I had a pack of peanut butter crackers in my purse and a small container of milk that I’d bought at a service station on my way home. I’d made some money today in tips but I couldn’t waste my money on food. I needed to be save everything I could.

              There was a covered pan on the stove and an open wine bottle sitting on the counter. Two plates with the remnants of a tantalizing pasta dish were also on the counter. Rush had company.

              A moan came from outside followed by a loud noise.

              I walked over to the window but as soon as the moon hit the backside of Rush’s naked bottom I froze. It was a very nice naked bottom. A very, very nice one. Although I hadn’t really seen a guy’s naked backside before. I let my eyes travel up his back and the tattoos that covered it surprised me. I couldn’t tell what they were exactly. The moonlight wasn’t enough and he was moving.

              His hips moved back and forth and I noticed the two long legs that he had pressed to his sides. The loud moaning noise came again as he moved faster. I covered my mouth and took a step back. Rush was having sex. Outside. On his porch. I couldn’t turn away from it. His hands grabbed the legs on either side of him and he pushed them open further. A loud cry caused me to jump. Two hands came around his back and long nails clawed at the tattoos that covered the tanned skin.

              I shouldn’t be watching this. Shaking my head to clear it I turned and hurried into the pantry and my hidden bedroom. I couldn’t think about Rush that way. He was sexy enough. Seeing him actually having sex made my heart do funny things. It wasn’t like I wanted to be one of those girls he had sex with and then tossed away. Seeing his body like that and hearing how he was making the girl feel made me just a little jealous. I’d never known that. Being nineteen years old and still a virgin was sad. Cain had said he loved me but when I’d needed him the most he’d wanted a girlfriend who could sneak out and have sex without having to worry about her sick mother. He’d wanted a normal high school experience. I’d hindered that so I’d let him go.

              When I’d left yesterday morning to come here he had begged me to stay. He’d claimed he loved me. That he’d never gotten over me. That every girl he’d ever been with was just a poor substitute. I couldn’t believe all that. I’d cried myself to sleep alone and scared too many nights. I’d needed someone to hold me. He hadn’t been there then. He didn’t understand love.

              I closed the door to my bedroom and collapsed on the bed. I didn’t even pull back the covers. I needed sleep. I had to be at work at nine in the morning. I smiled to myself because I was thankful. I had a bed and a job.

Chapter Five

              The sun was exceptionally hot. Darla didn’t want me to pull my hair up in a ponytail. She seemed to think the men liked it down. Unfortunately for me, it was so freaking hot today. I reached into the cooler for an ice cube and rubbed it down my neck and let it slip down into my shirt. I was almost to the fifteenth hole for the third time today.

              This morning no one had been awake when I’d come out of my room. The empty plates had still been sitting on the bar. I’d cleaned it up and thrown out the food in the pan he’d left out all night. It made me sad to see it wasted. It had smelled so good last night when I’d come home.

              Then I’d thrown away the empty wine bottle and found the glasses outside on the table beside where I’d watched Rush going at it with the unknown female.  After putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher I’d turned it on and wiped down the counters and stovetop.

              I doubted Rush noticed but it made me feel better about sleeping there for free.  I pulled up beside the group of golfers at the fifteenth hole. They were a younger crowd. I’d seen them when they’d been on the third hole. They bought a lot and they were really good tippers. So I put up with their flirtatious behavior. It wasn’t like one of them would really date the cart girl at the golf course. I wasn’t an idiot.

              “There she is,” one of the guys called out as I pulled up beside them and smiled.

              “Ah, my favorite girl is back. It’s hotter than hell girl. I need a cold one. Maybe two.”

              I parked the cart and got out to go around the back and take their orders.

              “You want another Miller?” I asked him proud of myself for remembering his last order.

              “Yeah, baby I do.” He winked and closed the distance between us making me a little uncomfortable.

              “Hey, I want something too Jace. Back off the goods,” another guy said and I kept my smile on my face as I handed him his beer and he handed me a twenty dollar bill. “Keep the change.”

              “Thank you,” I replied tucking the money into my pocket. I glanced up at the other guys. “Who’s next?”

              “Me,” a guy with short curly blond hair and pretty blue eyes said waving around a bill.

              “You want a Corona, right?” I asked reaching into the cooler and pulling out the drink he’d ordered last time.

              “I think I’m in love. She’s gorgeous and she remembers what beer I drink. Then she opens the damn thing for me.” I could tell he was teasing as he stuck a bill in my hand and took the beer from me. “Change is yours beautiful.”

              I noticed the fifty as I stuck it into my pocket. These guys really didn’t mind throwing money away. That was a ridiculous tip. I felt like telling him not to give me so much but I decided against it. They probably tipped like this all the time.

              “What’s your name?” one asked and I turned to see the dark haired one with an olive complexion waiting to give his order and hear my answer.

              “Blaire,” I replied reaching into the cooler for the fancy beer he’d requested. I popped the top and handed it to him.

              “You got a boyfriend, Blaire?” he asked, taking the drink from me while running a finger along the side of my hand in a caress.

              “Um, no,” I replied, not sure if it might have been better to lie in this situation.

              The guy took a step toward me and held out his hand with the payment and tip inside of it. “I’m Woods,” he replied.

              “It’s, uh, nice to meet you Woods,” I stammered in reply. The intense look in his dark eyes made me nervous. He could be dangerous and he reeked of expensive cologne. Expertly bred. He was one of the beautiful people and he knew it. What was he doing flirting with me?

              “Not fair, Woods. Back off, bro. You’re going all out with this one. Just ‘cause your daddy owns the joint doesn’t mean you get first dibs,” the blond with curls kidded. I think he was kidding.

              Woods ignored his friend and kept his focus on me. “What time do you get off work?”

              Uh-oh. If I understood them correctly then Woods daddy was my ultimate boss. I didn’t need to be spending time the owner’s son. That would be a very bad thing.