by Rye Hart
I knelt down and took her hands. “I need a big smile if you want your mooches.” We’d always called our kisses mooches instead of smooches, and I always planted them right on her dimples. She flashed a big, toothy grin as I assaulted her with sloppy kisses. She tried not to giggle, but I always got her on the last one, when I’d blow against her cheek and make a tooting noise.
Her laughter was the best and it made it even harder to say goodbye, but I promised I’d call her and check on her and I already had my cover story in place for that.
I headed out minutes after she’d gone and then I drove out to the motel room where I’d be staying. While driving, I thanked my lucky stars for my mother. She was the only person in the world I’d felt 150% comfortable with watching after my little girl.
The room I had was clean and in a good location from the bar, not too close, and not too far away. If anyone found out where I was staying, it wouldn’t be a problem. I had a cover story in place for anything that came my way.
I dropped my things by the room and checked the time. Assuming I found the place without any issues, I’d be there when expected.
I found The Starlight Bar, a larger than expected, quaint bar that looked like it was long overdue for a makeover. The large crescent moon sign that spelled out its name was surrounded by bright shining stars. I pulled up and parked next to an HVAC company van, noticing there was an old house next door to the right. I’d deducted that it was Lu’s home, which the chief informed me was next-door to the bar.
As expected, I was on time with only three minutes to spare, so I hurried in and found an elderly woman waiting. She was about five three with a round face and white hair that she’d piled high on her head. She turned around when I walked in with a squeaking door.
“You must be Cash. Come on in and take a seat.” She fanned her face and kicked out a chair as I approached. The air was thicker in the place, accentuating the smell of stale beer and cigarettes.
“You must be Mrs. Jones.” I held out a hand, but she frowned.
“Mrs. Jones was my mother, hon. I’m Lu.” She took my hand as I lowered myself down to the chair beside her and gave it a squeeze.
“Good to meet you, Lu.”
“What’s a pretty man like you doin’ wanting to work as a barkeep?” She looked down her nose, but she wasn’t being rude. She seemed to be sizing me up, or rather, checking me out. Her smile widened, and her brows wagged a little.
This little lady sure is a firecracker.
The heat flared in my cheeks, and I was a bit taken aback. I’d never been hit on by an old lady before, but she seemed like she was full of surprises. “I’m looking to get back on my feet after a failed relationship, so now I’m looking for a change of pace, a fresh start.” She nodded, so I kept talking. “I’ve been a bartender in the past, and actually worked as a bouncer too, so I’m used to the atmosphere and can diffuse any situation and mix any drink.”
“You sound too good to be true. Let me show you around and introduce you to my granddaughter. She’s in the back. We’ve got a little test we’d like you to take to make sure you know your stuff.”
Lu then stood up but only took one step when she suddenly grabbed for the table and hit the floor.
I immediately transitioned to alert mood, without any hesitation. Years of training on the force made it easy for me to take action when needed. I rushed around and knelt by her side, checking her for any injuries she might have gotten on the way down. She was only out a moment, but as she came to, I had already checked her vitals and was feeling for her pulse. “Hey, a little help out here!” I yelled across the room remembering she’d said her granddaughter was in the back.
I turned my attention back to Lu who was blinking slowly and trying to sit up. “Just lie back,” I said, keeping a hand on her shoulder. I heard footsteps and looked up, and my breath hitched, my words sticking in my throat as time stood still. That very moment, I saw the hottest girl I’d laid my eyes on as she rushed toward us.
Have MERCY…
Was Lu’s idea of a test to see if I could manage a second around her granddaughter? It was a wonder how a girl like her even survived working in a bar filled with drunken lonely men.
Her hair was the darkest chestnut, rich and thick, long enough to accentuate the perfect curves of her body as she dropped down beside us. Her wide, incredible blue eyes met mine with so much concern, they sparkled with tears. They were so icy blue they didn’t seem real.
“Lu! What happened?” She took the woman’s hand, and Lu waved her back, her voice slurring as she tried to calm the girl.
“It’s probably just my blood sugar again.”
“It’s most likely your blood pressure dropping from standing too quickly. It can make you a little light headed,” I told her.
I tried to stay focused on Lu, but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the girl.
“This is my granddaughter, Starla. Starla, this is Cash, our new bartender.” Lu closed her eyes and took deep, deliberate breaths and tried to sit up.
“Take it easy, Lu. Should I call an ambulance?” Starla then focused her eyes on mine, as if I knew what to do next.
“I don’t know if she needs an ambulance, but I’d still take her into the doctor and have her checked out,” I said.
“Do you think you can get her to the truck?”
Quite honestly sweetheart, I’d do anything you damn well ask me.
“I don’t need to go to the hospital. I need to go home and lie down, and I need this damned air conditioner fixed by opening tomorrow.” Lu was finally able to sit up. Both Starla and I helped her to her feet.
We carried her out, and I helped her into an old truck that had to have been a mean machine in its day. She lifted her hand and placed it on my cheek. “Be here tonight when we open.”
I glanced around to see Starla explaining to the AC repairman what was going on as Lu settled back against the seat. “So that’s it? I’ve got the job? Do you still need me to take that bartending test?” I waited until she pulled her feet in and shut the door to the beat up old truck.
“No need. You’re strong and quick on your feet, and that’s good enough for me at the moment.”
Starla had caught the end of our conversation as she climbed in the driver’s seat. “We open at five. I hope that’s not too early for you to be back.”
Her voice was as sexy as she was, if that was even possible. I nodded, totally lost in thoughts of how I’d like to taste her.
“I’ll be here,” I said as she threw the car in reverse.
With bells on.
End of Sneak Peak. Would you like to know how this continues?
Click Here: CUFF ME Daddy: A Single Dad, Police Officer Romance
I went in to lay down the law - but all I can think about is handcuffing her to my bed and serving her my own kind of justice.
A dangerous job like mine isn't ideal for a single dad.
That's why I took on an undercover gig to keep me off the streets.
There's just one problem: my cover is working for the sexiest woman in the city of Chicago - and I can't tell her my true identity.
I wonder how she will react after she finds outs her brother is one of the guys I'm busting.
Those sexy bedroom eyes, full luscious lips and delicious curves have me wanting to abort mission, and pursue an entirely new end game.
She's yearning for the punishment I have in store for her - and I'm more than willing to oblige.
I'm trying desperately to stay focused on the matter at hand, but all I can think about is taking her out back and ordering her to 'spread 'em' for Officer Daddy.
As much as I'd like to show her the big baton stick I'm packing, I need to stay focused on the mission- or I could lose everything.
CUFF ME Daddy: A Single Dad, Police Officer Romance
Rock Hard Boss: Sneak Peak
A SINGLE DAD, BOSS CHEF ROMANCE
CHAPTER ONE - LUKE HARRISON
The dinner rush
was in full swing and I felt that old, familiar thrill surge through me. I’d been running my own restaurant for the last few years, but that excitement never faded. Orders flew in and food went sailing out, my line cooks bustled around the kitchen, following my every command. The air was filled with the exotic scent of menu items designed personally by me.
It was barely controlled chaos, and it was my job to hold it all together somehow. Everything had to be perfect. Every dish. Every night. Every day.
Danny, my second-in-command, slid a plate of sizzling steak onto the counter in front of me, signifying it was ready to go out into the dining room. I could tell it was overcooked just by looking at it. A quick probe with my finger confirmed my thoughts.
I yanked the plate off the counter, barely suppressing the urge to smash it on the floor. I kept my kitchen spotless, and I wasn’t going to fuck up the floor because of one less-than-stellar plate. Instead, I thrust the charred steak in Danny’s face.
“Are you seriously expecting me to serve this?”
Danny eyed the steak warily, as if it might come to life and bite him.
“Is it undercooked?” he asked, not meeting my gaze.
“Undercooked? Are you fucking insane? It’s burned all to hell like a piece of old shoe leather. I wouldn’t feed this shit to my dog!” I growled loudly as the rest of the kitchen seemed to stop around us.
Good. They could learn a lesson too; cook the best food possible, or get the fuck out.
“I’m sorry, Chef Harrison,” he said, not meeting my gaze. “I’ll make a new one.”
I tossed the plate on the counter next to him. “I don’t want your apologies, I want you to do it right the first time.”
“Yes, Chef,” he mumbled. I turned to leave when he spoke again. “It’s just that we’re understaffed. I’m working two stations, Chef.”
Anger boiled up inside me and I got in his face. “Look at me. I don’t want to hear excuses. You’ve got two hands, two eyes, and you can handle two goddamn stations.”
“Boss, please. Ever since Gloria left, we’ve been short-handed.”
He was right, of course, but there was nothing I could do about it tonight. I’d already chosen a new chef to join the team, but I hadn’t shared the news with the rest of the brigade yet. I didn’t want them slacking off in the meantime.
A new chef tomorrow wouldn’t help them today.
“You’re right,” I said. “Gloria’s not here, but you are. Now, we’ve got a packed dining room out there, and none of them give a damn that we’re down a chef. They expect the same high-quality food we serve every night. So, I need you to focus and get the job done. Can you handle that?”
He nodded. “I think so.”
“You think? If you can’t do it, tell me right now. Tell me right the fuck now. I’ll take over your stations, and you can give Sergio a hand washing dishes. I’ll ask you again, can you handle it?”
The threat of busting him down to dishwasher lit a fire in Danny’s eyes. He glared at me like I’d just run over his mother. “Absolutely, Chef. I can handle it.” His voice was strong and steady, a complete reversal of the way he’d been just seconds ago.
“Don’t let me down. Period.”
He turned back to his stations with a renewed energy. The pan sizzled as he dropped a fresh steak in. Danny was back. And this was why I was so hard on my crew.
Sure, he was beyond pissed at me. He was probably cursing my name under his breath and wishing all kinds of terrible things on me, but that was good. It meant he’d work three times as hard tonight just to prove me wrong and throw it back in my face.
If I were a betting man, I’d wager he wouldn’t mess up another meal for the rest of the dinner service.
A few minutes later, Danny brought a freshly cooked steak over. He stood watching me, waiting for my assessment. I took my time looking it over, not because I wasn’t sure if it was done correctly, but because I wanted him to sweat a little.
I could tell immediately that it was cooked to perfection.. I couldn’t let him off the hook so quickly, not if I wanted the fire in him to keep burning for the rest of the dinner shift.
When I finally turned to him, his jaw was clenched so tightly the muscles in his neck stood out in thick cords.
“All night, Danny,” I said, pointing at the steak. “Like this. All night.”
He nodded curtly and hustled back to his stations.
***
I slumped into the sagging leather chair in my office at the back of the restaurant. Dinner was over, the kitchen had been cleaned, and the staff had gone home for the night.
Danny hadn’t spoken to me for the rest of the evening, but that was fine. I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. He might, but I wouldn’t. I’d done what I had to do for the good of the restaurant.
Things had been going well for me. The reviews had been great and the dining room was booked solid for the next few months. That didn’t mean I could sit back and relax, it meant that I had to work even harder to maintain the restaurant’s reputation. As part of that, I had to bring on a new chef to replace the one I’d lost.
I hated to let the old one go, but the woman was delusional. There was a lot of shit I would put up with, but someone in my kitchen batting her eyes at me and whispering my name seductively during a dinner rush was fucking out as far as I was concerned.
I’d given love a try in the past, and the bitch had stabbed me in the heart and kicked me in the balls. I was done with it. Period.
Now, I would have been more than happy to bend the cute blonde over a kitchen counter and work her silly, but she didn’t want that. She wanted a relationship. That shit wasn’t happening on my watch.
I leaned forward and grabbed the new chef’s application off my desk. Amber Foster. She was the one. With the restaurant’s success, I’d gotten an avalanche of applications; more than I could properly review without pulling my eyelids out. But for some reason, Amber’s stood out among the rest.
The thought of bringing in another female had me doubting my sanity, but maybe she would be different.
“Doubtful. She’s young and probably quite confident in herself.” I brushed my fingers over my lips. “How could she not be?”
I read through the numerous awards listed on the page. She’d been top of her class in culinary school, best pastry chef, and on and on. It was impressive, but I was starting to doubt my decision to hire her even more.
At just twenty-two, Amber might know how to cook, but she didn’t have much practical experience. It was one thing to whip up a tasty dish in the classroom. It was quite another to produce that kind of quality in the middle of a dinner rush when all hell was breaking loose around you.
I’d find out whether she could handle it tomorrow. For better or worse, I needed someone else with skills.
“And for fuck’s sake,” I tossed the resume back on my desk, “don’t be a crier. Anything but a crier.” I cupped my face and let out a long sigh.
I was about to throw her into the deep end and find out if she could swim.
If she couldn’t, well then, her ass was out too.
***
Marla was sitting at the kitchen table tapping at her laptop when I got home. In addition to being my daughter’s nanny, she went to college part time. It was difficult for her to juggle school and this job, but I respected the hell out of her for doing it.
It was nice to have an older, respectable woman in the house with me. Hiring a nanny had been about as hard as hiring new chefs. Something about being an asshole seemed to turn women into needy whores, willing to throw out just about anything to get my attention. It was getting old, and so was I.
“Evening, Marla,” I said.
She turned to me with a warm smile. “Hello, Mr. Harrison.”
“Please, I’ve told you a million times to call me Luke.”
She closed her laptop and stuffed it into her bag. “And you can tell me a million more. It won’t change anything.”
I sm
iled as I sat down at the table across from her. “Any problems tonight?”
The smile faded from her face, replaced with a slight frown. “Emery was a little, um, difficult tonight.”
I shook my head. “If you’re saying she was difficult, she must have been a nightmare. You’re way too good to my daughter.”
“Oh, no. Nothing like that. It’s just, you know how she gets sometimes; a little defiant.”
I rubbed my hand across the stubble of my cheek. “I’ll talk to her. She’s been acting out a lot lately.”
Marla zipped up her bag and slung it over her shoulders. “I’m sure it’s just a phase. She’s a sweetheart most of the time.”
I smiled. “That she is.” I stood up from the table with a sigh. “As always, I appreciate the help.”
“Sure thing.”
“I won’t keep you any longer. Be safe going home.”
She nodded and headed out of the kitchen. “See you tomorrow,” she sang out over her shoulder as she left.
I made my way upstairs where soft pink light glowed from Emery’s open bedroom door from her unicorn night light. She couldn’t sleep without it.
I stood in the doorway watching her. The slight rise and fall of her little chest beneath the covers gave me a moment of serenity that I probably didn’t deserve. Her tiny angelic face looked peaceful in slumber. My days at the restaurant were hard, but it was all worth it when I came home to her.
I crept into the room, careful not to wake her. A pang of guilt stabbed at me, knowing that I couldn’t be there to tuck her in at night. Late nights came with the job. At least I got to spend time with her in the mornings, but in a perfect world, I could be there for her all day.
Fuck, in a perfect world, she’d have a mom. One that stuck around and loved us both. I swallowed the same sick sadness that rose up in my chest every time I thought about Jennifer, the sorry excuse for a human hadn’t even stuck around to watch Emery take her first steps.
Somehow it felt better to point my anger at Jen leaving and hurting Emery. The truth was too painful to face. She hadn’t just left my princess, she’d left me too.