Baiting Him (How to Catch an Alpha #2)(38)

“What’s up?” I question and then frown as she walks around the corner of my desk and plants herself on the edge facing me. She’s so close her leg brushes mine. I move away, but not to be deterred, she leans toward me in a blatant attempt to show off her cleavage, along with her lace bra.

“I wanted to go over the plans for the VIP sections on New Year’s with you.”

“Can you do that sitting somewhere else?” I ask, and she shrugs one shoulder with what I’m sure she thinks is a coy smile playing on her lips. “It wasn’t a question. It was a request, Georgia,” I state firmly, making my point clear by indicating one of the two chairs across from me.

“Sorry.” She at least has the good sense to look somewhat embarrassed.

I’m not stupid. I know she has a crush on me. If her subtle flirting didn’t clue me in, her not-so-subtle advances—which I’ve continuously blocked—would have. She’s pretty enough, but I have never been interested in her, and not just because it would be stupid to go there with an employee. She’s straight up not my type. She’s too skinny, too forward, and too money hungry for my taste. I’ve made it clear on more than one occasion that nothing is ever going to happen between us, but she’s the type of woman who normally hooks any guy she wants, so she’s convinced herself I’m playing a game I’m not actually playing.

“What about VIP?” I ask once she’s seated in the chair in front of my desk.

“I saw you blocked off one of the sections for your personal guests on New Year’s. I know you mentioned your mom coming into town, so if it’s only her, I thought we could do a little rearranging so we’re not missing out on paying customers. I’ll have the guys help me set up a special table just for her on the VIP platform, and—”

“Leave it like it is,” I say, cutting her off.

“Gus.” She says my name with a placating smile, like she’s talking to an unruly child. “The VIP section on New Year’s is big money for the club, and in turn big tips for the waitstaff. I don’t know if blocking off one huge area for your mom is smart.”

My already-frayed temper begins to unravel, and I count to ten in my head so I don’t lose my shit. It doesn’t help.

“First, I’ve owned this club for almost five years. You might manage the bar here, but this is my club, so do not ever question me.” Her eyes are wide as she starts to open her mouth, but I continue on before she can speak. “I appreciate you looking out for my bottom line and your girls, but it’s not necessary. My mother, my girlfriend, her brother, and a few other people will be taking the section I blocked off. They won’t be staying until midnight, so when they decide to leave—which will probably be early—we will place another group of people in that section.” I know they’ll be leaving early, since Chrissie called her brother and Leah yesterday afternoon. She checked to see if they would want to join her at the club before going back to her place to watch the fireworks, and they all agreed they would.

“Girlfriend?” she whispers, like it’s the only word she actually heard, making my jaw clench tight. “I didn’t know you have a girlfriend.”

Her hurt-filled tone pisses me off, and I know it’s time to take Luke’s advice and settle this shit once and for all. I lean forward in my chair, placing my hands on the top of my desk. “Yes, I have a girlfriend, and like I’ve told you before, Georgia, nothing is ever going to happen between you and me.”

“That wasn’t—”

“Don’t.” I hold up my hand, cutting her off, knowing she’s going to try to save face, because she’s embarrassed that I called her out. “If you can’t handle running my bar, being professional, and doing your job, tell me now. You can quit, or put in your two weeks’ notice, finish out your time, and find somewhere else to work.”

Her face pales, and her expression turns to one of stunned disbelief and pain, and I want to kick my own ass for not dealing with this situation sooner. Luke told me a long time ago that I needed to set her straight, but I figured if I didn’t give her any indication that I was even the slightest bit interested, she’d get over her crush and move on. Apparently, I was wrong.

“What’s it gonna be, Georgia? Because honest to God, we’re not having this conversation ever fuckin’ again.”

“I . . .” She swallows, looking over my shoulder and stating softly, “I like working here.”

“That’s good, because you’re an asset to this club,” I tell her truthfully. “Every employee respects you, you’re always here when you’re supposed to be, and besides Luke, you’re one of the few people I trust.” At my statement, her hopeful gaze comes back to me. “That being the case, I need to know you’ve heard what I’ve said.”

“I can be professional,” she agrees, and I lift my chin in approval before she lowers her eyes to the top of my desk.

“Is there anything else we need to discuss right now?”

“No.” She shakes her head as she gets up.

“All right. I’ve got some stuff to take care of here. Then I’ll come out to let you all know when I’m leaving to go check on the bars.”

“Okay.” She averts her eyes as she walks out of my office and closes the door.