Sharing Nicely by Victoria Blisse Page B

to do the bar tonight? I’ll give them time and a half for it.”
    “Sure, boss, I’ll ask.”
    I knew I was lucky. I had a good body of staff—yes, I had a relatively high turnover, since many of them were students and eventually they’d go off to seek long-term employment, but I could rely on my team to go the extra mile. People were happy to work in Diamonds. I suspected the high tips from wealthy patrons had more to do with it than the firm but fair boss, but it all worked and that was the main thing.
    “Well, hello,” a familiar voice roused me from my thoughts. “I didn’t have you down as a barmaid.”
    “Hi, Darren.” I smiled stiffly. “We’re short-staffed tonight.”
    “Bummer,” he sighed. “I was hoping to whisk you away for a night of hot loving.”
    “No chance, darling. Sorry.” I shrugged, and passed the pint I’d pulled to the skinny man stood beside Darren. I took the money and passed back the change. I wished Darren wasn’t there. As much as I liked the guy, I didn’t have time for small talk.
    “Do you need a barman?” he asked.
    “Tonight, yes, we’re a server down.” I took the next order, two pretty drinks for the small, pretty lady in red.
    “Good job I’m here, then. Move over.”
    “What?” I looked up to see him slipping over to my side of the bar.
    “I was a barman for years when I was at uni. I’ll give you a hand.” He smiled, leaned over the bar and took the next person’s order.
    “I hope you know what you’re doing,” I sighed, opening the till.
    “Sure I do. Where’s your price list?”
    I pointed down to the cheat sheet we kept below the bar for trainees. Darren nodded.
    I shook my head and carried on serving. If he didn’t get under my feet or seriously upset a customer I supposed there was no harm in letting him help out for the evening.
    He turned out to be very capable, an absolute godsend in fact. The customers thought it was brilliant, being served by a billionaire. Darren posed for many photos and kept the people who were waiting for drinks entertained. We had zero complaints from the moment he hopped to my side of the bar.
    “So, Mr Bennett, are you looking for a full-time job?” I looked up from the glasses I was putting away as he walked by.
    “Why, are you offering me one?”
    “On tonight’s performance I certainly think I should. You were great.”
    “Aw, shucks. I’m flattered but, and don’t take this the wrong way, I don’t think you can afford my wages.”
    “You’re telling me ten quid an hour doesn’t draw you in?”
    “Naw, I make closer to ten thousand quid an hour, so I’ll pass. But I did enjoy myself tonight.”
    “Good. You really helped me out tonight. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome, sweetie. Now, about that payment, can I take it in kind?”
    He brushed up close and I put the tumbler down just before it fell from my shaking fingertips. “Well, I have a couple of kilos of assorted bar snacks in the store…” I winked.
    “That’s not quite what I meant.” Darren grabbed me and pressed his lips to mine before I had time to protest or to check if anyone was watching. I was incensed and turned on all at the same time so I didn’t push him away for a few seconds.
    “Darren,” I snapped, “stop messing about. Someone could see.”
    “Are you ashamed of me?” He looked hurt and that surprised me.
    “No, but I’m the boss here, I don’t want my employees gossiping about me behind my back.”
    He shrugged then kissed me again.
    “No one’s here,” he answered as I banged on his chest. “I sent them all home with a generous tip and a smile.”
    “You sent my staff home?”
    “Yep.” He nodded and ran a finger down my cleavage. I took a step back and the bar struck the middle of my back.
    “Without asking me?”
    “Indeed.” He stepped forward and placed his hands on my hips.
    “And you expect me to be okay with that?” I was angry. I was the one in control when I was at work. I was the boss,