Sometimes

Sang

My entire body is spun around so that I'm facing my arm's captor. 

Ugh. 

Rocky. 

I giggle stupidly because, what the hell else can I do when I'm being man-handled by a giant? I don't normally hate being short, but in instances like this, it's definitely not to my benefit. He smiles wide, completely oblivious to my discomfort, but then again this man isn't winning any awards for being overly bright. 

"You were gorgeous up there doll." He purrs, pulling me closer to him so that my arm rests on his chest and I'm leaning on it so I can maintain some distance. 

His infatuation with me is becoming a bit of a problem. It's been only a few months, but in those few months he's become a seasoned regular and he hangs out with the flashy wannabe mobsters who have made this club their hideout like in some cheesy early 2000's tv series. It's a bit pathetic really, or at least it would be if it weren't for the shift of their influence. It wasn't too concerning at first, just a new rowdy bunch of dudes who were a little handsy. Naturally, because boobs, beer, and loud music, it made for a pretty good place for them to have their little club meetings. 

They've now taken it upon themselves to start conducting their own business here, or at least I'm pretty sure that they are but I haven't been able to catch them. It's just, there's a seedier band of patrons that swoop in and swoop out and always after meeting them. 

There's also been a noticeable difference in behaviors of certain patrons, where we would only have issues once a month, it's shot up to at least once or twice a week. 

I'm sure Winnie suspects something's amiss too because she's brought on the new security, but they haven't been able to do much about them either. I just wish I knew what was going on, which is why I humor this giant idiot's attentions. 

Much to my chagrin. 

"When are you going to let Rocky take you on a date?" he asks, twirling a strand of my hair around his finger. 

"Oh sugar. I would love to, but you know I can't mix business with pleasure." I say, bopping him on the nose with my index finger. I've been saying the same thing since day one. It's the very excuse Winnie has said we should use when we get unwanted attention, which, obviously happens in this line of work. 

"Maybe Rocky needs to buy this place and change those rules, hmmmm?" I smile at the audacity of this asshole. I try to extricate myself from his hold, a little more forcefully than I normally would, mostly because I don't like feeling cornered by this asshat in such a secluded place. I throw in a giggle and sort of swat at his chest, I deserve an award for this acting, although I know it's part of the problem here, humoring him.

"Sorry sugar! I gotta get back on the floor, they're expecting me." With my hands still on his chest, I push away. Only, now he's wrapped his hands around my wrist, effectively securing me in place. 

Fuck.

"Okay, really Rocky. I have to get back to work." I say a little more forcefully, dropping the false nicety. I'm due back to my tables and would like to take advantage of a full house with the tips associated with it. Nothing, registers though. 

Not a thing. 

If anything the fact that I'm trying to get away from him has him drawing me closer. Try as I might to resist, I'm just a small thing while he's easily three times taller than I am. 

"Do we have a problem here?" A rich voice calls from somewhere behind me. Rocky's eyes level my would-be rescuer, but he doesn't let up on his grip. 

"Rocky's just talking with his girl." He purrs, I've heard him refer to me as his girl before but it makes my skin crawl when he's trying to convince others. I chance a glance behind me and find that it's my newfound friend. 

A wave of embarrassment washes over me, but his eyes are trained on me. I'm hoping the discomfort of this situation is obvious, I give an imperceptible shake of the head, but I get no reaction from him until he walks up next to Rocky, places a hand on his shoulder. 

"How about we let her get back to the floor, huh?" 

Rocky doesn't react, until there's a little more pressure put on his shoulders if the whitening of my Mr. Blackbourne's fingers have anything to say about it. Rocky's eyes widen a fraction before loosening his grip on my wrists. I don't need any more prodding to dislodge myself from his grasp. 

I give Mr. Blackbourne a grateful smile before exiting through the doors, making a beeline to the bar where I can flag this to Mark. The bar is centered and they have eyes on the entire floor from their vantage. Hopefully he can get security to keep tabs on him while I'm on the floor. That was a little too close for comfort and I'd hate to think of what kind of shit he'd have pulled had Mr. Blackbourne not shown up.