Cassie finished clearing up, bagged up her takings, and went to Mandy’s office to hand over the cash. Tracey joined her and said a quick goodbye to both of them before dashing out the door. The beads on her braids clicked against the doorframe as she swished through it. Dee had left at one thirty, which was normal for her. As far as Cassie could tell, Dee’s main job was to be a second presence at the front door, just in case. At a little over six feet tall with close-cropped hair, she could look really intimidating.

Mandy’s internal phone line rang.

“Hey, Nina, what’s up?”

Cassie half listened to Mandy’s side of the call while she counted out the cash.

“Well, if you’re sure, I won’t say no—if tonight is anything to go by, tomorrow is going to be mad.” A pause. “Yes, okay, I’ll ask her, but I’m sure she won’t mind.”

Cassie looked up and raised one eyebrow questioningly.

“Nina’s offered to lock up for me. Red’s been a bit hectic tonight, and she needs more time to clean. But she wondered if you’d stay and help her—many hands make light work and all that?”

Cassie swallowed before answering.

She and Nina.

Alone.

In the Red Room.

Her temperature went up a few degrees at that thought. And her knickers got just that little bit wetter.

“No problem,” she answered as nonchalantly as she could, pleased that her voice didn’t fail her.

“Great. Nina’s going to bring her cash down now. Then you guys can lock the door behind me as I go.”

Cassie nodded, and her legs took her out of the office, through Green, and on into Red. She tried very hard to remain calm and failed dismally.

Nina was just bagging up the last of her cash when Cassie entered the room. She lifted her head and smiled that same deep, sexy smile at Cassie. Her stomach did a backflip in response.

“Hey, thanks for doing this; I really appreciate it.” There was a hint of a smirk around Nina’s mouth.

“No worries,” replied Cassie. “Where would you like me to start?”

“Can you do bottles and glasses while I take this down to Mandy? Then we can put everything back in its place and tidy up when I get back.”