by York, Marie
Jaxon walked toward us, this time his dark gaze on Declan. “What’s going on?” Jaxon asked, and I swear I saw a flash of jealousy in those eyes of his.
Satisfied with his reaction, I smiled. “I was just introducing myself to Declan. We’re going to be working together, so I thought it was the polite thing to do.”
“Oh. Right.” Jaxon replied. “Now that’s out of the way, you’re needed out in the front.”
“Is he always this cranky?” I asked Declan.
Declan looked to Jaxon, giving him a curious eye, and then, with an amused smile, turned back to me. “Not usually. Must be something getting under his skin.”
“Don’t you have something to grill?” Jaxon muttered to Declan.
I wondered then if Jaxon was jealous. If the thought of me talking with another guy really did bother him, just as seeing him with that female customer earlier bothered me. Because, despite the fact that he left, and made it perfectly clear I was only good for sex, a part of me still hoped that he thought more of me.
Declan slid his book into a backpack. “It’s about that time, isn’t it? It was lovely meeting you, Lyla. I’m sure I’ll see you soon.” He went over to the fridge, and started grabbing ingredients.
“Did you find everything okay?” Jaxon asked, the terse tone he had only moments ago was gone, replaced with a much sweeter one.
I patted the apron. “Yup. This is actually one size fits all,” I joked.
An amused grin teased the corners of his lips. “Cute.”
He seemed to be lightening up, so I went with it. “I try.”
His eyes locked with mine in one charged moment. The look on his face turned dead serious as he stared at me. “You don’t have to try.”
My lips parted at his words, and all the resentment I felt for him leaving me disappeared. He had a way with saying things that made me feel like I was the most special girl to have ever stepped foot into his life. And, every time, I fell victim to his sweet compliments, holding out hope that maybe he wasn’t trying to be charming, but honest. Yet I swore I could decipher between the flirting pleasantries and the sincere truth, but he always proved me wrong, and disappeared from my life. So I likened this to nothing more than his charming nature, and met him with my own.
I winked. “Right back at ya.”
He quickly averted his attention from me, and cleared his throat. “Here’s a list of the specials tonight. People usually come in for dinner between five and ten. After that, it’s mainly people getting drinks. So, I might need you behind the bar. Your shift ends at midnight.”
I went to take the paper from his hand, and my fingers skimmed his. It was the slightest of contact, but it still set my skin ablaze. His hand lingered, and either he felt it too or he knew the affect he was having on me and was enjoying my torment.
I pulled my arm back, and tucked the paper into my apron pocket. “Sounds good,” I countered, and before he could detect any hesitation in my tone, I headed to the front.
The first diners sat, and I walked over to them with a bright smile. I took their order, and assumed I should bring it to the kitchen. I pushed through the kitchen doors, and walked over to Declan.
I held up the ticket as I approached. “I give this to you, right?”
“This isn’t your first rodeo, is it?” he asked as he pulled a basket of fries off the deep fryer.
I bit my lip and shrugged.
Declan laughed, and it was loud and robust, but warm and friendly at the same time.
“I might have lied a little bit,” I admitted.“Please, don’t tell Jaxon.”
“Your secret is safe with me. But, watch out, Jax’ll probably be watching you like a hawk.”
That should’ve intimidated me, but, instead, the thought of Jaxon watching my every move turned me on.
“Thanks for the advice.”
“I’ll take that ticket. Just stick them here as they come in.” Declan pushed the ticket into a spot right above him. “They just slide right in here. When I’m done with it, I’ll take it down, and stick it on the spike.”
“Lyla?” Jaxon’s voice echoed through the kitchen.
I rolled my eyes, and, with another robust laugh, Declan turned back to the grill. “Coming,” I called out. Jaxon walked around the corner, and the hot, sexy look on his face had me wishing I actually were coming.
“There’s another table out there. You can’t be back here flirting with Declan.”
I bit the inside of my cheeks to keep from smiling. Jaxon Reed was jealous. I wanted to bask in the glorious fact, relish the reality, and I did for a moment, while his dark stare turned stormy. “I just brought a ticket to him. Who said anything about flirting?” I played the sweet and innocent card. I just found it funny that he was the one who left me in that hotel room, not the other way around. So, whether I was flirting or not (and I wasn’t) was none of his business.
His mouth parted, and it looked as if he was about to say more, but thought better of it, and rubbed at the back of his neck instead. The muscles in his arms strained against his t-shirt, and without thinking, completely consumed by his beauty, I licked my lips.
Once I realized, I snapped my tongue back in my mouth, and darted my gaze away from all his magnificent bulges.
Dark eyes caught mine, and desire flashed in those beautiful irises. It was filled with longing and heat, but it was gone within mere seconds. “Nevermind. Just get back out there,” he said, and then flung the doors open.
I watched him disappear, wishing I had the guts to bring our last night together up to him. If I could just put it behind me, maybe I could finally get over him. This wasn’t me. Pining over a guy that did everything to resist a relationship. That only wanted sex. I should’ve been looking for the guy that would give me the white picket fence I always dreamt of. And not just someone who just gave it to me, but someone who actually wanted it with me.
The thing was… that girl? She didn’t exist anymore. If she did, I wouldn’t be homeless. I wouldn’t be jobless. And I sure as hell never would have slept with Jaxon that first time. And definitely not the second. So, even though I knew nothing could come of us, I didn’t care. If sex was all Jaxon would give me, then I would take what I could get, and hopefully get him out of my system.
And I would love every second of it, while it lasted.
Chapter 4
Waitressing was harder than I expected. Between remembering orders and carrying that damn heavy tray, my brain and body were at their limits.
My latest table, a group of five, ordered everything on the menu, I swear. I picked up the food from the kitchen, and headed out the door. The tray weighed heavy on my hand, and I prayed to God I would make it to the table before my arm gave out.
I passed the bar, and Jaxon’s hot gaze followed me. If I weren’t holding up twenty pounds, I’d have given him something to stare at. I was done analyzing, and ready for some fun.
A few more feet, and I’d be able to put the tray down. The tray wobbled, and tilted to the left. Oh, shit. My arm, unable to hold up for another second, gave out, but before the tray tumbled to the ground, it was lifted off of me. My arm fell limp to my side.
Jaxon held the tray like it was no heavier than a stuffed animal. He leaned toward me. “Too much for you to handle, sweetheart?”
My heart raced, due to a combination of his closeness, and thinking about what an absolute disaster that could’ve been if he didn’t step in. But I couldn’t let Jaxon think I was inexperienced. I needed this job. So, I forced a smile, and let my frantic heart calm down. “No. I just didn’t have a good grip on it, that’s all. Thanks for your help, but I got it from here.”
He was so close I could feel the heat radiating off of him. “Don’t worry. I’ll give you a hand.”
My eyes lingered on his fingers, remembering how skillful they were. How he knew all the right places to touch and work. Lost in thought, I didn’t realize Jaxon had already started making his way to my table. I shook the thought
s from my head and followed him. I came up beside him, and handed out the plates while he held the tray in place.
“Enjoy your meal,” he said, cocking his lip with the perfect amount of charm. The girls at the table blushed. Not that I could blame them.
I laughed, and then poked his side. “And you accused me of flirting,” I said, as he glanced back at the table, and offered a wink to the blushing girls.
His eyebrows drew together in confusion. “I’m not flirting.”
“You do it so much you don’t even realize you’re doing it.”
He stepped closer to me, taking my chin in his hand, and running a finger down the length of my jaw. His hot intense stare zeroed in on me, making me feel like the only person in the crowded room. Very slowly he leaned in, just missing my lips, and grazing my cheek with his own. His mouth skimmed my ear, shooting warm tingles down my body. “I always know when I’m flirting.”
Moisture pooled in my panties, anticipating another touch. Instead, he pulled away, and, without another word, went back behind the bar. Bastard!
He always knew how to leave me wanting more, practically dropping to my knees, and begging for it. I swore he had a degree in it. No more. Two could play this game. It was time the tables were turned. Sex might be the end goal, but, in the meantime, I was going to wind him up so tight, he’d be begging me for release.
***
By eight, I thought I was going to die. Every muscle in my body hurt, and I felt like I had the scent of burgers oozing from my pores.
A cute blonde with big brown eyes and a perfect smile strolled into the kitchen. She was absolutely radiant with her summer glow. “Hey, Declan,” she said, and placed a kiss on his cheek like two long time friends. Except I could see the fire in his eyes as he watched the extra bounce in her step when she walked away from him, and tied her apron around her small waist.
I noticed the low cut shirt that showcased her ample cleavage, and the tiniest sliver of a flat stomach. Her frayed jean shorts covered just a little more than a bathing suit would, but barely. Yet, Jaxon didn’t give her a t-shirt to put on. Unless she fought the good fight like I did.
“Oh!” she said when she spotted me. “You must be the new girl. Jax just told me about you. Lyla, right?”
“That’s me. You must be Tara.” I stuck my hand out.
“In the flesh,” she said, and accepted my offer. “Are you from these parts?”
“I’m actually from New York. I just moved here a few days ago.”
Her eyebrows rose as she nodded. “And you already have a job. I’m impressed.”
“What can I say, I’m pretty impressive,” I joked.
She pointed at me, and laughed. “I can already tell I’m going to like you.” She turned from me to Declan. “Dec, what are the specials tonight?”
He handed her a piece of paper, and she smiled her appreciation. “Thanks, handsome.” She ruffled his hair, and then came back over to me.
“So, are you from here?” I asked, curious.
“Oh, yeah. I’m a lifer. Born and raised and will probably never leave.”
“You love it that much?”
Tara laughed, and it was vibrant like her. “Oh, God no. It’s just every time I’ve tried to get the hell out of here, something prevented it from happening. It’s like a black hole, always sucking me back in,” she chided
“You’re still young,” I said, guessing she was my age if not a year or two older. “You still have time.”
“It’s a nice thought, but why think about it, you know? You can’t change the past or predict the future. But what you can do is live in the now. Ain’t that right, Dec?”
Declan stopped putting fries in the fryer and nodded. “You know it.”
“And right now, I have tips to make.” She reached into her bra, and adjusted her cleavage so they were center of attention. She then cupped them, and gave them a good push up. “Girls, let’s make momma some money tonight.”
I was about to ask her if Jaxon ever gave her shit for her attire when the devil himself walked in.
Jaxon stopped in front of us, and crossed his arms. “I’m not paying you to chitchat.”
Tara tilted her head. “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.”
Jealousy twisted into a curious ball in my mind. What did Tara know about Jaxon’s bed? Any guy would be crazy not to want her, and she seemed like the type of girl who got what she wanted. Did she ever want Jaxon?
“He’s been like this all night,” Declan said from behind the grill.
“Let me guess,” Tara said, tapping her lips. “Gary broke something? He gave away free drinks to a cute girl?”
“No! For once, Gary didn’t do anything. I’m just...” Jaxon ran his hands through his hair then looked up almost pleading with Tara in a single glance. “Can you please just get to work?”
“Well, when you put it like that.” She swiped up her bill book, and strutted something fierce out the door.
I envied her confidence.
“That goes for you too,” Jaxon said. “This isn’t going to work if I have to keep telling you what to do.”
Thinking of my earlier plan, and how I wanted to turn the tables, I took a page from Tara, and strutted over to where he stood. I leaned against him—stealing his infamous move—pressing my tits against his side, and whispered against his ear. “I thought you liked to tell me what to do. Or is that only in the bedroom?”
I pulled back, and locked eyes with him for the briefest of seconds, just enough to see the desire flash through his alluring dark irises then I walked away. My only hope was that I left him rock hard and wanting just like all those times he left me soaking wet and needy.
Chapter 5
Monday night was my first night off since I started working at Baile’s. I lounged on the couch with Dee as we watched some awful reality TV show that we got sucked into five episodes ago. It was Housewives of… something
“Do you think her husband’s cheating on her?” Dee asked as she took a sip from her wine glass.
“Why wouldn’t he be? She’s horrible, and clearly only with him for the money!” I exclaimed.
Dee rolled her eyes, and gave my shoulder a playful shove. “You’re such a romantic.”
“What can I say, I’ve been tainted.”
“But you’re working with Jax now. How’s that going?” Dee lifted her perfectly waxed eyebrow, and gave me the look that said she wanted every little detail.
“It’s going,” I said, and took a gulp from my glass. I let the wine do its job and calm me down before I said too much. I never told Dee about me and Jaxon’s last time together. It was her wedding night after all, and then she was on her honeymoon. By the time she got back, I didn’t want to cry about it anymore, so I let it go. Moved on. Until I walked into his bar.
“That’s all? I find that hard to believe. You two are like the definition of sexual chemistry. When you two were dancing at my wedding, I swear.” She held her hands up for emphasis. “I thought he was going to pick you up, and do you on a table.”
“Did not.”
“For real. I was about to go get the fire extinguisher when you just up and left him. What was that about anyway?”
I remembered being pressed against him. How much I loved feeling his muscles beneath that tuxedo. That amazing manly scent of his, teasing my senses. The way his hand hovered just above my ass, making me want him so bad that I felt ready to combust.
But, I also remembered how I had practically thrown myself at him twice before that very moment, and how he rejected me. I couldn’t stand there and pretend anymore. I had to get away from him. Not just because I wanted him so desperately, but because I didn’t think my heart could take another rejection. Too bad I didn’t see the biggest one of all coming. If I did. I never would’ve knocked on his hotel room door that night.
“It was nothing.” Dee did not look convinced with my response, so I blurted out the only thing I could think of. “I had to
pee so I took off.”
“Really? My expectations were so much higher than that. But just so you know, I’m still holding out hope for you two.”
I loved my best friend, I did, but I really wished she’d let the Lyla and Jaxon Show go. Because no matter what I did, Jaxon didn’t want to star in it with me; he only wanted a guest appearance when it suited his needs.
I went to shoot down her hope when Cole walked into the living room. “Hi girls, what’s going on?”
He undid his tie, and sat down on the recliner. “Hi baby,” Dee said, leaning over the couch to give him a kiss. “We’re just watching some TV. Want to join us?”
Cole looked at the TV, and, as soon as he saw what we were watching, he shook his head. “Definitely not. You girls have fun. I’m going to go take a shower.”
He gave Dee another lingering kiss, and I had a feeling he was insinuating something more. She didn’t seem to notice, though.
“You know what I want right now?” Dee said, and Cole and I waited for her to answer. “Brownies! Lyla, let’s go make some brownies.”
“Okay, shower it is,” Cole said, and disappeared down the hall.
“Dee.” I nudged her with my elbow. “I think Cole wanted you to join him.”
“Oh, whatever.” She swatted her hand toward the hallway.“I’m hanging out with my girl. I’ll take care of him tonight. Now, come on. I need a chocolate fix.”
I followed her into the kitchen, and plopped down on the stool. It was boxed brownies that required three ingredients. I didn’t think she needed my help.
“Now, I know you know, that I’m not done talking about you and Jaxon.”
I sighed loudly. “Dee, give it up.”
“I’m sorry. But, if you dated Jax, we could double date. And we always wanted to date brothers, and Jax and Cole might as well be, so it just seems too perfect not to push.”
“Unfortunately.” I took a sip of my wine to gain the strength to say the words out loud. “Jaxon doesn’t want me.”
“Not true,” Dee argued.
I rolled my eyes at her insistence. The girl was relentless. “Very true.”