Chapter Six

Erin's point of view 

A few days later, I got a phone call from Raul; I still hadn't seen him in person. Even Leah tells me he hasn't been around much just lately; I guess he must be busy with his work. My only consolation is that if he's not been home, then he hasn't seen Lucy either; yes, I know what I said. I shouldn't have these feelings for a married man, but still, I don't like the woman. 

My heart skips a beat when I listen to his deep voice, 

"Hey Erin, I'm sorry I haven't been around so much lately. I've just been a little preoccupied at work," he says, 

"It's fine, Raul. I know that you have your own business to run; I don't expect you to be here at the Star Gazer all of the time."  

He pauses for a second before he says, "How is the Star Gazer doing? I've spoken to Leah, and she tells me you've been very busy?" 

I smile, "It's been crazy; all of the old customers seem to have drifted back, plus a few new ones. I've never been so busy; I've also had to hire a couple of new bar staff. Which has given me a chance to bring out a new drinks menu and promote the new drinks on the website." 

"Wow, it sounds like you have been busy, Erin, but then again, you've worked so hard to get the place back on its feet; you deserve it." 

I blush like a schoolgirl; thank God he can't see me right now. 

"Thank you, Raul, for investing in the Star Gazer. Without your investment, none of this would have been possible." 

He chuckles before he replies, "You're very welcome, sweetheart. I know a good opportunity when I see one." 

My excitement deflates at those words; God, I'm so attracted to this man it's frightening. His words remind me why I shouldn't get so carried away with myself. All I've ever been to Raul is an investment. He's a married man, for God's sake, with an incredibly beautiful wife. The man wouldn't look twice at someone as plain as me. 

He clears his throat, "I need to ask you a favour, Erin." 

"Ask away," I say. 

"I wanted to ask you if I could use your upstairs room for a business meeting with one of my clients." 

"Of course you can, Raul", I reply,  

He waits for a second before he carries on. "The thing is, I have to shoot over to the next town, so that I might be running a little late. Do you think you could keep him entertained until I arrive? I shouldn't be delayed too long." 

"Yes, that's fine, Raul; I can keep him company until you arrive." 

"Thank you, Erin, you're a star; I will see you soon, sweetheart." 

An hour later, I'm sitting at one of the tables going over the new drink menu when Sarah, the new bartender, points a middle-aged man in my direction, 

"You must be Erin," he says as he takes my hand in his,  

"Hello, you must be here to meet Raul, he sends his apologies, as he's running slightly late. Would you like a drink?" 

I ask, and he nods his head as he replies, "I would love a whisky." 

I order his drink from Sarah before placing it down in front of him. He doesn't offer to pay as he looks me up and down. 

"I thought Raul was lying when he told me how good the place was and how pretty the bar owner was; I got to admit, girl, you are gorgeous." 

I look at him, shocked, not sure where he's going with this; his eyes rove over me before he whispers, 

"The Boss said you would keep me entertained, Erin…. I was initially surprised by his Offer, but now that I've seen you, I wouldn't mind taking you up on that Offer." 

I frown, "What do you mean?" 

He places his hand on top of mine, making me cringe as he says, "Do you have rooms upstairs? How much do you charge?" 

"Excuse me?" I quickly pull my hand away. He chuckles as he says, 

"Oh, come on, don't be shy; the Boss said I could ask for whatever I wanted, and he would put it on the tab….and right now, I want you." 

I Jump up, "What the Fuck” before grabbing his drink out of his hands as I yell, 

"Get the fuck out of my bar; I am not on offer to anyone." 

He chuckles again. "Oh, come on, pretty lady, I can make you scream my name." 

"Get out!" I yell as I launch the contents of the glass into his face; his shock quickly turns to anger as he says, 

"Wait till the boss man hears about this; I will get him to close the place down." 

Sarah comes to join me, along with a couple of my regulars, as I yell at the arrogant bastard.  

"Yeah, well, you can tell the boss man he's not welcome here either and that I am not for sale." 

The man gets ushered through the door; my nails dig into my palms in anger. Who does Raul think he is? Does he really believe he can hire me out to his clients just because he invested in my bar? 

I make my way to the ladies' toilets, trying to keep the tears at bay; Sarah follows me. She catches me washing my face inside as I try to rain my anger in. She whispers, 

"Are you okay, Erin?" 

"Not really, but I will be when I get my hands on my business partner and tell him where he can shove his investment," I reply, she pulls me into a hug as she whispers. 

"Jesus, who does he think he is? "I wipe my tears away as I reply. 

"I don't know; I thought he was a nice guy; it shows you how wrong you can be about some people." 

I dry my eyes before pulling my big girl pants up; I need to talk to Raul and give him a piece of my mind.

Grabbing my phone, I leave several messages before giving up; he's not going to reply today. Maybe he had no intention of meeting this guy here; perhaps he just wanted to see how far I would go for his investment. 

Sarah catches me a little later taking a couple of painkillers; she gives me a sympathetic look as she says, 

"Why don't you head home, Erin? It's not too crazy out there tonight. I can lock up."  

"Are you sure?" I ask. 

"Yes, it's no problem, and Jared will be picking me up later, so I won't be on my own." 

I smile, feeling much better knowing that her boyfriend will be with her.  

"I guess one night isn't going to hurt. I'm shattered, and my bloody head is killing me." 

Sarah smiles. "You work too hard, Erin. Go home and put your feet up." 

So that's what I do, but as I pull into my driveway, I run into Lucy heading out of hers. 

She smiles and waves at me; okay, maybe I read her all wrong, and I wave back with a tired smile. 

"You're home early tonight," she says. 

"Yes, rough night", I reply. 

"Anything you want to talk about?" 

I nod, "Actually, yes, can you tell your husband that investing in the Star Gazer does not mean investing in me, and I am not and never will be part of some deal to keep his business associates happy?" 

She frowns, "what do you mean?" 

"I am not up for prostitution, and your husband is not my pimp." 

She laughs in my face as she spits out, "That's all you are worthy of. What happened, Erin? Did the client turn you down?" 

I try to remain calm as I say. 

"I know you're Raul's wife, and I forgive you this time only because Raul helped me to get the bar up and running again. Please tell your husband that I will never trust him again and that I will never be for sale." 

Lucy laughs as I carry on talking. 

"Please tell him to contact me when he is free to discuss the termination of his investment in the Star Gazer." 

"Okay, I will gladly tell him if it means you keep your hands off my husband." 

She replies. A car door slams behind us, and I hear that deep voice say, 

"Your husband?"  

Lucy looks mortified when she sees Raul striding up the driveway, and I walk away from the pair of them before slamming my front door behind me. 

I've had enough drama for one night, and I need to calm down before speaking to that asshole. Who the hell does that man think he is thinking he can whore me out to his business associates. I'm no fucking prostitute. No matter how desperate I am to save my bar, I will not be offering my services to anyone.