Free Selena's Men by Elle Boon

Even though it had set her apart from the other kids, they’d said it made her special.
    “Yes.” She pumped her fist up and down at the beauty of the club. It was exactly how she’d imagined it. The bar sat center stage like a huge circle, gleaming with the smell of varnished wood and cinnamon. Behind the bar was the dance floor set up like a huge rectangular area, with every other available space filled with booths, tall bar tables, lower tables, and comfy chairs. Their vision was to have a space where you had a choice of where you wanted to sit.
    Although each club had the same name and was similar in design they made adjustments to the surroundings, and this one was no different. With this one they had an upper-level balcony where they had leather couches and tables for a more cozy seating that overlooked the entire bottom level. Her office was also on the upper-level, along with a set of bathrooms for the patrons.
    She walked over to the corner where the DJ booth was. They’d interviewed over a dozen men and women for the position, finally settling on one who came highly recommended. She couldn’t wait for Tamara to get there so they could celebrate, knowing this was going to be the last club they planned to open. Tamara was a full partner who did most of the traveling, while Selena was the hands-on girl.
    Mama Mejia’s voice whispered in her head. “ Child, don’t go getting too big for yer britches. ” Selena lifted the door and stepped behind the bar to make sure it was fully stocked. The official opening wasn’t until tomorrow, but they were having a pre-opening party for some of the local businesses tonight. All the waitresses had been put through the paces at the other Redneck Paradise locations, but tonight was the trial run for this location.
    Butterflies began a happy dance in her belly, just like always before something important was going to happen in her life. Thankfully it was a wholly different sensation than the feeling of doom, which she usually had…She shook off the negativity.
    She wrapped her hair in a knot and secured it with a pencil before picking up a clipboard, and skipped into the stock room. A smile was firmly on her face as she double-checked the liquor count. She jumped when her pocket began to vibrate and laughed at herself when the song that she had programmed for Tamara began to play.
    “Hola, Tamara.” Selena locked the store room door behind her as she tucked the phone between her shoulder and ear and pocketed the key.
    “Hey there, girl,” Tamara drawled.
    “Tam, it’s perfect. You should see it.”
    “I know, right?”
    Selena laughed at her friend’s reply. “So when are you getting here? All the employees are set to arrive shortly.”
    “Well now, if you would look up, you’d see me standing right in front of you.”
    Selena jerked her eyes up and jumped, dropping the clipboard on the wood floors. She launched herself at Tamara, wrapped arms and legs around her best friend’s waist. “I’ve missed you. When did you get in? Why didn’t you call me?”
    Tamara grunted.
    “Excuse me, am I interrupting something? I can come back after you two finish,” a deep voice rumbled.
    Selena’s boots hit the floor moments before she was shoved behind her friend’s towering form. Tamara had pulled her favorite Glock from wherever she’d had it tucked, and aimed it at the most gorgeous man Selena had ever seen, or tried to see, except her friend kept stepping in front of her.
    “Stop right there.” Tamara said, pointing the gun at his head.
    The man lifted his arms. “I’m Max King.”
    He answered Tamara, but his gaze snared Selena’s. She would swear he looked amused and not the least bit intimidated by the big weapon aimed at his head.
    “Tam, put the gun down. This is…” Selena was amazed how looking into his eyes made the feelings from hearing his voice seem lame in comparison, which was saying a lot. Her heart rate kicked up several notches, and a tingle