Carson noticed. “Really? I bet you it was more exciting, by the way you’re looking.”
“Really, it wasn’t. There was this one guy who rushed the stage when I was dancing, but Mike threw him out. After he was gone, the night went smoothly.” She lifted her eyes to meet his.
He frowned. “Does that happen often? I haven’t seen anything like that when I’ve been there. Seems like Asher runs a tight ship.”
She shook her head, and reached out to toy with the menu in front of her. “It rarely happens, and almost never to me. If there’s a problem, it’s usually in the VIP rooms, but Asher’s, I mean our team is top-notch, so it doesn’t go on too much.”
“Hmm,” Carson said with a teasing smile. “Now I wish I didn’t listen to you and had been there to rescue you.”
Sienna let out a laugh, her cheeks flushed, and she caught a tiny fluttering in her chest. “They had it covered, and here I am in one piece.”
Although she really didn’t want to discuss the situation at the club, it was better than small talk about their lives growing up. That was a topic she wanted to avoid, not wanting to lie about her past any more than she already had.
“Did you have a nice evening?” she asked. “Did you hang out on the Strip?”
“I did. Played some blackjack, indulged in some pretty good scotch, and smoked a cigar with my favorite bartender.” He raised an eyebrow and shrugged his shoulders like a happy-go-lucky kid. “What’s a guy to do?”
She chuckled before becoming more serious. “I couldn’t say. I don’t go to the Strip much. To be honest, I’ve never been there all made up. With the billboard, I just attract too much unwanted attention. But sometimes I think I want to check it out, just as someone else. So I guess I should thank you for meeting me out this way again.”
“I imagine going anywhere in this town is a crush for you, so I’m feeling damn lucky to be with you here right now.” Carson moved forward in his seat, his gaze directly on Sienna’s face, and winked.
She blushed and looked away, knowing she needed to turn the whole atmosphere down a notch before she climbed across the table, especially since she had no idea what she would do once she got over there.
“I get takeout from this place a lot, but like I said, I’ve never eaten in before, so this is a treat. Asher will be jealous. He loves it here.”
“You two are tight. Is he that tight with all of you at the club? Should I be nervous?” Carson’s eyes were unsure as he asked this, as though he was actually worried about competition for her affection.
Sienna shook her head and laughed. “No, no. Ash is my family out here. Well, my family, neighbor, and business partner. Thank God we have a high tolerance for each other. We seem to always be together, but it’s nothing intimate.”
“Partner?” Carson’s brows pinched together. “What do you mean? Do you guys have a business together?”
Sienna realized she’d put her mouth in her foot a tiny bit. She really needed dating lessons.
“Yes, we own the club. Actually, I own half the Tunnel with Asher now.”
“Wow, I’m impressed. I didn’t realize.” He sat back and assessed her, a half smile on his face. “You’re one smart lady. Do you ever want to give up dancing to run the business full-time?”
She frowned.
As soon as it was out, he said, “Shit. I didn’t mean it that way. Of course, you’re smart whether you own the club and dance or not. Your dancing is gorgeous. For selfish reasons, I don’t want you to stop. I like watching, but I wouldn’t be offended if I were the only man you were performing for.” He ran his hand over his face, up over his forehead and back down his hair, stopping at his neck, resting his head in his own palm with his eyes boring down on her.
She knew he was only half joking, but she had to explain and set him straight.
“No, I couldn’t stop. Not now, it’s part of the club and me. Sienna Flower is so synonymous with the Electric Tunnel. I don’t mean it in a bragging way, I just couldn’t do that to Ash. We grew that club together with his management and my dancing. So, now he keeps up his side and I dance, which gives the other dancers a chance to learn. And to earn a slot near mine.” She took a much-needed sip of the water the busboy had just placed in front of her.
Carson took the hint and picked up his menu, but kept his eyes trained on her. “You really have a good handle on it, I’m even more impressed. I could tell you were the real deal, though. Brains, beauty, and the most beautiful smile.”
Sienna didn’t know what to make of all this. She didn’t know how to accept the compliment, so she changed the subject while picking up her menu. “You already know I eat, which you find so ‘real,’ so I’ll say this…I love the food here.” She looked down at her menu, but Carson didn’t. He remained exclusively focused on her.