{Review} Sin by Violetta Rand (with Excerpt and Giveaway)

***EXCERPT***

I’m standing at the bar on Wednesday night, having a drink with one of our regular customers, when Macey arrives. She’s wearing a dress that reminds me of something I’d see in Paris or in a classic film; it’s red and clings to her curves. I can’t help staring. She has to walk by me to check in with the DJ. We haven’t talked since Monday night.

As soon as she’s nearby, I smile.

“Good evening, Ms. Taylor.”


Without glancing my way, she flips me off and keeps moving.


“What’d you do to Macey?” Glenda calls from behind the bar.


I turn halfway, resting my elbow on the counter. “Couldn’t say.”


“Really?” She throws me the you’re full of shit look. “I’ve known that girl for over fifteen years, before she ever popped her pretty head in this place.”


I can’t imagine Macey as a little girl.


“And you want to know something?” Glenda leans over the bar, her large breasts
brushing against my arm. “I’ve never seen her act that way before, never.”


“I’m obligated to agree,” Gilbert adds, before sucking down the last of his rum and Coke. “Macey always has a smile . . .”


“Yeah,” I say, holding up my hand to silence Macey’s fan club. “I get it. You’re the
resident historian.” I smile at Glenda. “And you . . .” I slap Gilbert’s shoulder. “I haven’t quite decided what you are yet.”

“Just sayin’.” Glenda laughs.

The woman can see right through me. I am curious about her connection with Macey, though. She’s only twenty-four, and well, Glenda is older than dirt. I smile. “How’d you meet?”

She clicks her tongue. “See, Gilbert,” she comments. “The boy’s curiosity goes beyond the workplace.”

“Maybe,” I admit.

“Neighbors,” she says. “Let’s just say her father was a regular customer—a professional gambler. Sometimes Darren would host after-hours parties. A little poker, a few dancers . . . Long before the city cracked down on strip joints.”

“And?”

“Her mother died when she was very young. And her daddy wasn’t exactly father-of-the- year material. Some nights, the poor thing would end up sleeping in Darren’s office. I used to check in on her.”

Reads like a tragedy and pisses me off for some reason. Somehow I’m not surprised. That’s the dark side of this business; the women often come from unstable backgrounds. “Thanks for the history lesson, darlin’.” I throw a ten on the bar and leave my empty glass.

I walk to the DJ booth, hoping to catch Macey alone. She’s just stepping out when I turn the corner. She stares, those sapphire eyes sweeping over me.

“Macey . . .”


“Save your breath, Ivy League.”


She starts to step around me, but I latch onto her wrist. “Not so fast.”


“Anything we had to say should have been said on Monday.”


“You’re right,” I admit, loving the feel of her slim wrist in my hand. I keep my gaze fixed on her. “Didn’t you feel good?”


She shakes her head, then stares at the floor. “That’s not the point.”


I tip her chin up. “I just wanted you to feel good.” The corner of my mouth lifts into a
smirk. “The least I could do after . . .”


“No.” She places her finger on my lips to shush me. “You don’t get the satisfaction of
saying you made me horny.”

I arch a brow. “No?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but that’s been building for a long time.” She looks completely serious. “A really long time.”

Another piece of vital information I’ll keep tucked away. She’s sexually frustrated. I can help her with that—hell, I’ll provide a long-term cure if she’ll let me. “Meet me in my office in fifteen minutes, Ms. Taylor.”

“For what?” She steps back. “I need to get ready for my first set.”


Coincidentally, Dave sticks his head outside the booth. “You’re up soon, Macey.”


“See?” She waves her hands.


“Take her off the list,” I say. “She’ll check in after she’s read the employee handbook.”

Dave shrugs, then disappears.


She eyes me with skepticism. “Is everything a game to you?”


Is that what she thinks? “I don’t play games, Ms. Taylor. That’s something I think you’ll learn fairly quick. I expect you to follow the rules like all the other entertainers have agreed to do.”