Vanilla and Vice (Empire Sevens Book 1)

by Tabatha Vargo

  There I was, rubbing his crotch basically, and he had all but begged me to stop.

  Was it because what I was doing felt good for him?

  Apparently it had, if what I think happened really happened.

  I moved quickly down the hallway, my feelings hurt from being yelled at and somehow so mad and kind of turned on at the same time.

  Zander Hale.

  He was making me insane.

  Obviously.

  Once I was back on the floor, I stayed busy, working extra tables and staying on top of the orders so well I was shocking Jena.

  Stepping up to table four, I smiled down at the two gentlemen sitting there who couldn’t seem to keep their eyes on my face. They had been there for hours, downing shot after shot. I was surprised neither had passed out or left yet.

  “What can I get for you?” I asked.

  They both turned toward me with conspiratorial grins on their faces.

  “We’d like something sweet and pure,” one of the guys said.

  He was married.

  He was using the thick wedding band on his finger to tap against the glass in front of him to the beat of the music.

  “Sounds good. What were you thinking?” I asked.

  I had an idea of where the conversation was headed, but I could only hope I was incorrect.

  I had spent a good part of the night hearing about how sweet I looked in my new uniform.

  Sweet and pure just like Jena had said.

  The description both annoyed and angered me.

  “I thought maybe you could come back to our room and serve us that something sweet and pure there?”

  They laughed as if I was clueless about their joke.

  I wasn’t.

  I was also sick and tired of men and their bull.

  They weren’t touching me, but the things they said to me were disgusting.

  Still, I pushed through. It was my job, after all, and there wasn’t much I could do about the new uniforms and how people perceived them.

  I chuckled, not feeling the humor. “Oh, come on, guys, let me do my job, will you? Drinks, gentlemen. What kind of drinks do you want?”

  They weren’t going to tip me.

  I already knew that because I wasn’t flirting back the way they wanted me to.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. Listen to us being total douches. We’ll take two more shots of Patrón and two Coronas.”

  I nodded, scribbling their order down before I turned and walked away.

  I didn’t get far before I felt a rough hand on my backside and fingers digging into my flesh.

  I gasped and turned quickly, ready to curse the guy out, but when I turned, he tugged on my arm, pulling me into his lap.

  “Stop it!” I said, smacking at his hands as I fought to get out of his lap.

  “Oh, come on, baby, it’s all in fun.”

  I continued to struggle, fighting against his hold, but for a smaller guy, he was strong.

  “Let me go!”

  The guys laughed, and the more they laughed, the harder I fought to get away from them.

  “That’s it. Keep wiggling in my lap in that short skirt. It’s doing it for me,” he joked.

  I reached my arm back and used my elbow to pop him in the face.

  “What the fuck?” he yelled. “I think you broke my fucking nose, you little bitch!”

  I jumped out of his lap and quickly smoothed out my clothes and pushed my hair out of my face.

  I was seconds away from escaping the two men and disappearing into the crowd, but before I could get far enough away, the guy grabbed me and pulled me back to him.

  I turned, finding it oddly satisfying to see the blood slowly oozing from his nose. It was the least that could have happened to him, considering he had basically assaulted me.

  “I said, let me go!”

  His fingers dug into my arm, bruising me.

  And then a deep voice sounded, sending a bolt of relief through me.

  “Remove your hand from the lady before I cut them from your body,” Zander said, his nostrils flaring, and his fists balled at his sides.

  Behind him, Jerome and Joey, two of Empire’s security guys, stood with their arms crossed and their expressions stern. They were both prominent, burly gentlemen although nothing about them screamed gentle. I was sure they were bodybuilders at some point in their lives.

  “Excuse me?” the guy asked, swiping at the blood dripping from his nose.

  “You heard me. You have three seconds.”

  “This bitch broke my nose!”

  “One.” Zander began to count, his voice stern and calm.

  “Did you hear me? I could sue this fucking place!”

  “Two.” His lips went tight, and I could tell he was ready to flip on the guys.

  Thankfully, before Zander reached three, the guys stood from their table.

  “This is bullshit,” the other guy said.

  Zander didn’t respond. Instead, he turned his attention to Jerome and said, “Please have these gentlemen removed from the premises, Jerome. Make sure they never step foot inside Empire Sevens again.”

  Jerome and Joey escorted the men away from the table, and once they were gone, Zander turned toward me.

  “Are you okay?”

  I didn’t respond.

  I couldn’t.

  I was too upset.

  Too angry with him.

  Turning, I walked away from him, but I didn’t get far before he softly took my arm and directed me to his office.

  I could have fought him, but I didn’t because I didn’t want to make a scene.

  Once we were inside his office, he closed the door behind him and turned toward me.

  “I’ll ask again, which is something I never do. Are you okay?”

  I crossed my arms, my anger spiking, but still, I didn’t respond.

  “Answer me, Eden,” he snapped.

  “No!” I yelled. “I’m not freaking okay, and it’s all your fault,” I spat.

  He jerked as if I had slapped him across the face.

  “Please, enlighten me. Exactly how is this my fault?”

  I chuckled, the sarcasm and anger thick in the sound.

  “It’s these stupid things!” I yelled again, tugging at my too short skirt. “Of course, they think it’s okay to touch us and treat us like meat when we walk around looking like this.”

  I motioned to my uniform once again.

  “Eden …” he started.

  But I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. I didn’t want to listen to another freaking word.

  Moving closer, I poked him in his massive chest with my finger and cut him off before he could finish his sentence. Then I said precisely what I had been thinking since the very first time I laid eyes on our ridiculous uniforms.

  “Fire me. I don’t care, but I’m just saying what everyone’s thinking. We look like whores running around this place. I don’t blame the male customers for being just a tiny bit confused!”

  Before he could respond, I turned on my heels, pulled the office door open, and left, slamming the door behind me. I was sure I probably wouldn’t have a job the next morning, but at that moment, I didn’t care.

  He was an asshole.

  A selfish, evil, cruel asshole.

  Which was why I was shocked to my very core the next morning when I went to work to find out that not only did I still have my job, but also that our old uniforms were sitting in our lockers waiting for us.

  No more slutty uniforms, and I knew it was Zander I had to thank for that. Even though he would never admit it.

  16

  ZANDER

  ZANDER: ZERO.

  Eden: two.

  I was losing.

  I had never lost before, and I hated it, yet it was such a fucking turn-on.

  Twice, I had laid out my hand only for Eden to outplay me.

  The sad part was, she had no idea she was even playing a game, and she was still winning.

  We
were at war, and she was killing me slowly without even trying.

  Flirt with the customers, I had said.

  It will be good for business, I had said.

  What a fucking bunch of bullshit that was.

  Watching Eden smile sweetly at the customers was too much. Everything was too much when it came to Eden.

  But when that fucker pulled her on his lap and started to grope her, I was done.

  It was the day before the fight between Tony Rivera and Alex Gonzales. Empire Sevens was making millions off hosting the fight, but there was no way I would let Eden work during the fight wearing the new uniforms.

  Hell, after seeing the hurt and angry look on her face after the incident with the guy pulling her onto his lap, I was determined she would never wear that fucking thing ever again.

  After emailing Kade to let him know what happened, we both agreed we didn’t need that kind of hassle every night. I emailed Kennedy next to have the new uniforms packed away and to return the old ones to the girls. I was relieved when she didn’t send back an I told you so and simply said okay.

  I FOUND OUT THE DAY of the fight that Eden would not be working that night. Instead, she and Kennedy were going to attend the fight together. Kennedy usually worked the floor, but she wanted to do something fun for her niece. She had even gone as far as getting her and Eden new dresses for the occasion.

  The entire day flew by, and I didn’t have a chance to think about Eden throughout the day. I was needed in all parts of the hotel and casino as everyone prepared for one of our biggest nights.

  At six, I handed the reins over to Brian, the assistant manager who worked directly under Kennedy when she went out of town or on vacation. And then I made my way through the hotel lobby to get ready for the night.

  That was when I saw her.

  I literally stopped in my tracks, holding my breath as Kennedy and Eden made their way inside. Neither saw me at first, which was probably a good thing because it gave me time to get my bearings.

  I’d never seen a woman look so angelic in my entire life. Eden was wrapped in white fabric that clung to her breasts without straps and teased the smooth skin halfway up her thighs.

  Her long legs were smooth and held a shine to them. She wore black heels, and her hair was down and straight.

  I almost dropped to my knees right there and then.

  Kennedy saw me first and frowned. “Why aren’t you dressed yet?” she scolded.

  “Because everything decided to fall apart the first time you decide to take fight night off.”

  I could see the panic on her face. Her first instinct was to take charge.

  “What’s wrong? What do you need me to do?” she asked.

  I smiled at her, and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Eden watching me intently. She hadn’t so much as said a single word to me.

  “Your only job tonight is to enjoy the night off with your niece.”

  “Zander,” she started to protest.

  “Nope. I won’t hear it, Kennedy. Empire will survive without you for one night. Brian has to learn how to do this if you’re going to New York next week.”

  “What?” Eden said, speaking for the first time, but she was talking to Kennedy. “You’re going to New York? When?”

  Kennedy glared at me. “Thanks.”

  She turned toward Eden.

  “I’m sorry I hadn’t told you yet. I wanted to make sure it was a for sure thing, and I just got the news today that it was. I was going to tell you tomorrow morning at breakfast.”

  “How long will you be gone?” Eden asked.

  “I’m not sure yet. I have to go help Kade. I’m hoping not long.”

  Eden nodded, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

  “You’re more than welcome to stay at the hotel while Kennedy’s gone if you want.”

  Why the fuck did I just say that?

  Kennedy and Eden both looked at me.

  One shocked.

  One relieved.

  “That actually isn’t a bad idea, Eden. I would feel so much better.”

  Eden dragged her gaze away from me to her aunt. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow, but I think I’ll be fine at your condo. Especially now that I have a car.”

  Kennedy cringed. “More for me to worry about. You driving that rust bucket late at night.”

  “Let’s not worry about it tonight,” Eden said, her eyes flashing briefly at me.

  I knew she was uncomfortable talking about this in front of me.

  Kennedy’s mention of Eden’s “rust bucket” had my curiosity piqued, and I made a mental note to investigate what kind of car she drove.

  “Well, I need to get dressed. I’m sure I’ll see you ladies later tonight, but in case I don’t, I hope you have a wonderful time.”

  “Thanks, Zander.” Kennedy smiled.

  “Thank you,” Eden mumbled.

  Walking away, I had to force myself not to turn back and watch Eden walk away.

  When I reached the elevator, I pushed the button once and then four times to get it to hurry. I could see the distorted image of them through the gold shine of the elevator doors. They had stopped to talk to someone else, and as the elevator doors opened, I stepped inside and turned.

  My eyes found Eden’s briefly, and then the doors closed.

  I couldn’t do it anymore.

  My body was weak. I would explode. Already, I had come in my pants once. I couldn’t do it.

  I took my time getting dressed. The more time I took to get dressed, the less time I would have to be downstairs.

  Once I finally made an appearance, I spoke to everyone and hosted just enough to be considered socially acceptable. When I was done with that, I disappeared into my office.

  Instead of grabbing a glass, I grabbed one of the decanters on my bar and tilted it to my lips.

  I was weak.

  So fucking weak.

  Crashing onto the black leather couch in my office, I reached down and undid the button on my slacks and slid the zipper down.

  My cock was hard and angry, tight from the pressure of an unfulfilled promise.

  I gripped it, hissing at the pleasure and pain. My balls ached, begging me to give in.

  And so I did.

  I tugged up, rolling my head on the back of the couch with a sigh. Stroking up and down, careful to put pressure where I wanted it most, I worked my cock until the pain in my balls slowly dissolved, leaving only pleasure.

  I closed my eyes, envisioning Eden’s sweet smile. I imagined her looking up at me through her lashes and grinning.

  She wanted me.

  She wanted to taste me.

  She wanted me to fuck her so hard and so fast that she screamed and came all over my throbbing dick.

  In my imagination, she dropped to her knees and took me into her warm mouth, her tongue swirling around my engorged head before she tickled the hole a bit with the tip of her tongue.

  She worked her hand down my shaft, her mouth following the path until she took all she could into her mouth. My tip sliding into the back of her throat until she began to gag a bit.

  Her saliva coated me, warming my dick and lubing it as her mouth worked up and down on me.

  “Yeah, angel, just like that,” I whispered. “Suck my cock, baby.”

  If only my imagination was real.

  If only she were there, kneeling in front of me like a virginal sacrifice and servicing me to the edge of insanity.

  I pumped harder, the pleasure so extreme I was starting to feel dizzy. My breathing was rough and fast, my hips tense as I thrust into my palm.

  In my mind, Eden was reaching down and palming my balls, massaging them as her sweet sucking and tugs pulled my orgasm from deep inside.

  I was getting closer the more she sucked.

  The harder she sucked.

  She licked.

  Massaged.

  It was so fucking good.

  “Fuck, angel. That feels so fucking good. You want me to com
e in your mouth, don’t you? You want to taste me? Want my cum to cover your tongue before you swallow it?”

  In my mind, she nodded, sucking harder as I reached the end.

  Then the sound of my office door echoed throughout the room, and I opened my eyes to see Eden standing there looking at me. Watching me jerk off while in my imagination she was blowing me.

  I couldn’t stop.

  I was too close to the end.

  Too close to the pleasure I had denied myself for the past six months.

  Surprisingly, she didn’t leave and slam the door behind her.

  Instead, her eyes dropped to my hand, and her eyes went wide.

  “Don’t move,” I said as I continued to pump my cock. “Just stand there and let me look at you.”

  She obeyed, going stiff as she stood in the doorway of my office without moving.

  Her eyes followed my quick movement, and she bit her lip like she was enjoying it.

  “Do you like watching me?” I asked, not really expecting her to respond.

  She didn’t, and I was fine by that.

  Through her dress I could see her nipples hard and peaking, needing to be nibbled and sucked.

  My fist tightened, and I pumped harder, feeling the slow rise of my impending orgasm as it crawled down my spine and tickled my hips.

  Her cheeks were crimson. She was blushing so hotly, her body spotting in red flushes. She gripped her fingers together, the tips turning white from her strength.

  Was she holding herself back from me?

  Did she want me as badly as I wanted her?

  I almost asked her to come to me, lift her dress, and let me fill her sweet little cunt with my juice, but I had already fallen too far. I didn’t want to make my relapse worse.

  Her eyes shifted, turning away from me and landing on the wall beside my head.

  “Don’t look away,” I demanded. “I want you to see the moment my cum spills for you.”

  Her eyes went wide, but she listened, continuing to watch.

  “Fuck,” I muttered. “Just your eyes on my cock while I jerk it is doing it for me.”

  Her eyes dipped to my dick, and her tongue peeked out and swiped across her top lip like she wanted to taste me.

  That was all it took.

  I came.

  I exploded so hard I growled like a fucking savage, which was appropriate since I felt like an animal.