His warm, gentle hands squeezed her soft hips. Then he lay down against her, turned his head and looked into her eyes.

"That job at the Palomino's still open if you want it, Donna."

She shook her head reluctantly.

"Thanks, Tony, but I don't think so. I fucked you because I like you. I'd feel like it was a business deal. This is a sleazy joint I'm working at here, but I kind of like it."

"Well, how about taking a part-time job, then? You could keep on working here."

"Part-time! Tony, when this joint closes, they all close!"

He smiled. "Not the Palomino. There's a separate room that becomes a private bottle club at half past two. Stays open until five. You could work there from three to five. Make damn good tips."

Donna hesitated. She'd heard of private betting clubs. Drinks were expensive at those places. People who could afford to drink there could afford good tips. What did she have to lose?

"Okay, Tony. I'll take it."

"Great, Donna." He looked at his watch. "It isn't quite five yet. Why don't you take a drive over there now? Look up a lady named Betty. She'll explain the ropes and get you a uniform. You can start work – tomorrow morning at three."

He leaned over and kissed her, then he got up and put on his clothes. Still naked, Donna unlocked the door for him and watched him walk down the long outside stairway.

Before she dressed, she went to her telephone book and looked up the number of Mrs. Baker. The forty-five-year-old widow who lived a block away had told Donna that she would be glad to baby-sit Danny at any time of the day or night.

CHAPTER TWO

"This'll be a snap for you, honey," Betty said. "You won't have to tend bar like you've been doing. All you've gotta do is take drink orders, serve drinks, collect their money – and look cute!"

"You make it sound easy," Donna said. "This private room… how private is it?"