Jasper's Claim | Book One

One

Photo of Demi Rose >>
Song: Treasure by Bruno Mars.

Demi walked into the club apprehensively, this definitely wasn't her scene, but she'd mindlessly agreed to meet Gavin here, for drinks.

She squared her shoulders and walked up to the bar, lifting herself onto the high stool, she was grateful for the stretch her dress afforded, otherwise she'd have had to go to the trouble of locating a table.

She looked around at the few couples on the dance floor swaying lightly to the soft music and checked her watch; 9:30pm.

She swore softly before silently chastising herself. They'd agreed to meet at 9:00 pm. 'Where is he?' she whispered looking around again at the dimly lit space.

Taking it in fully, she changed her mind. It was actually quite cozy. She could see herself coming here after a grueling work day to relax and enjoy the ambience, maybe socialize a bit, before heading to bed.

Unfortunately, this was her last night in the hotel which housed the club. Turning back, to the bar, she saw one of the male bartenders approach and decided to defer to his expertise as far as fixing her a drink was concerned.

'Hey', he flashed her a smile, both cheeks dimpling, she couldn't help smiling at him in return.

'Hi, slow night? ' she questioned gesturing to the less than rowdy club.

'Uh, not really' he responded, regarding her curiously, 'It's just 9:35, things'll heat up much later.'

'Oh' Demi nodded.

'Don't club much, do you?' he smiled again.

'Not really' she sighed, 'I'm supposed to be meeting a friend, but... ' she glanced around and shrugged 'Looks like I'm being stood up. '

'Stupid man' He shook his head making a tsk tsk sound.

Demi laughed.

'It's fine, at least I get to enjoy a drink in peace if he doesn't show' she shrugged. 'I'm good with that too.'

He nodded. 'Why don't you let me surprise you with one of our signature drinks. You won't be disappointed.' He said, still flashing her his smile.

Oh, he was good. Demi thought to herself, once again returning his smile and making a mental note to leave a large tip.

                       ~~~

Leaning one shoulder against the wall, Jasper held his glass by the rim, his forefinger tapping against the glass to the rhythm of the music currently playing, while his other hand fingered the thumb drive in his pocket.

His brow creased as he surveyed the room, his mind going over the meeting he'd just had with his managers about the running of his establishments and the reports he'd been given.

Things weren't going as planned and he needed to make certain hard decisions ... quickly.

A low husky laugh floated from the bar at the front of the room catching his attention. He turned his head to the source of the sound and watched as a lady seated at the bar chatted with one of the bar attendants.

He noted, with displeasure, her unencumbered hands, which, he felt, should perhaps be holding a drink as at now, seeing as she hadn't just walked in. It seemed to have taken the bar attendants a few minutes to attend to her, which wasn't the standard he wanted to maintain at JAX.

He continued to mull over his observations, taking mental notes, until she turned her face, casually glancing around the room, before turning back to say something to the bartender.

Jasper sucked in a breath. She was definitely beautiful! He frowned as he watched the bartender flirt with her, making her laugh again, and his hand clenched around the thumb drive.

Signalling to a nearby waiter, he disposed of his virtually untouched drink and made his way to the front of the bar.