Page 28 of Heart Over Heels

I lingered a moment longer, watching for the knob to turn.

Nothing.

Heaving a sigh, I pulled out my phone and checked the time. Five minutes till six.

If I expected Mercer to be punctual, I needed to extend the same courtesy. And Ididexpect him to be punctual. Colette might’ve run whatever passed for a job interview in her mind, but I had my own concerns to address. Tonight, I intended to put our new hire through his paces—and treat myself to some of Las Vegas’s finest dining while I was at it.

I left Elliot’s door behind and headed down the stairs, my skirt brushing my thighs with each step. The white crepe bubble dress was one of my favorites, snug around my middle, blousy over my ass, and tailored with a neat little hole beneath the zipper to let my tail poke through. My patent Mary Janes were a touch kinder for walking than most of my shoes, and they matched my clutch perfectly.

With my legs bare and looking deceptively long, I was sure Mercer would take notice. At work last night, he’d stared long and hard enough to make me suspect something else of his had gotten long and hard too. But the outfit wasn’t for him. The clothes were the giftwrap on the package I intended to deliver to the owner of the restaurant. Payment for a very expensive dinner for two.

While trotting toward the club entrance, I wondered if Mercer had a nice car.

At least a clean one.

I didn’t expect the kind of luxury rides my sugar daddies trolled around the Strip in, or Club Daddy’s dedicated limo service, but I’d take a decent sedan. Late model. Leather interior…

Gazing across the floor, I spotted Mercer already inside. Mister All-American himself, standing in the entry hall and talking with Colette. The overhead lights caught in his close-cropped hair, and the broad line of his shoulders carried that military rigidity, even out of uniform.

He hadn’t noticed me yet, so I let my gaze wander. He was solid. Dependable looking. Clean-cut in a way that stood out around here.

But my inspection ended in a frown. I should’ve warned him about the dress code. His jeans and short-sleeved button down did his ass and pecs some favors, but they wouldn’t pass muster anywhere I liked to dine. He’d need a jacket at the very least.

Luckily, Club Daddy was descending from his office slash love nest just then.

“Becky!” I trilled, flouncing my skirt and wagging my tail all the way to him.

Mercer and Colette turned at the sound, but my eyes were all for Beck. I plastered on my best baby face as I stopped before him.

“I’m taking Mercy out for an onboarding dinner,” I announced. “And he needs to borrow this.” Catching the hem of Beck’s suit coat, I gave it a tug. It would be a tight fit over Mercer’s biceps, but it would have to do.

Beck’s dark brows dipped. “That sounds like a date.”

“It’s a perk,” I countered, batting my lashes. “I’m welcoming our newest staff member into the fold. This job comes with benefits, does it not?”

Beck paused, still skeptical. “Am I paying for this date?”

“Would you like to?”

“No.”

I smirked. “Then it’s a good thing I have it covered. But Mercy needs his arms covered, or they won’t let him in.” I pulled on the jacket again.

Beck heaved a breath. “What kind of place are you taking him to?” he asked while shrugging out of the garment.

“The kind that requires sleeves.”

He handed the suit coat over, and I accepted it with a satisfied nod.

“Don’t worry. I’ll bring you back a doggie bag.”

Colette and Mercer watched as I wandered over and held out the jacket for Mercer to take.

“You’ve got the right idea,” I told him. “Not wanting to die of heatstroke in the desert, but you should probably put this on.”

Mercer’s eyes widened then cut away. He rubbed the nape of his neck. “Sorry, I didn’t know?—”

“No, honey,I’mthe sorry one having to cover all this up.” My gaze roamed across his torso. “But the place we’re going has a certain look, so I’m afraid you’ll have to sweat.”