“Are you able to work at least one day on the weekends? On top of Mondays and Thursdays? I try to share the weekends between all the part timers; I figure one shift a weekend is fair. That way it gives everyone good tips and a social life.” He laughs at his own statement and I feel it reverberate throughout my body. What the hell?
“I can work weekends, that’s no problem at all,” I reply without second thought.
“Perfect.” He hesitates for a moment. “Oh, and Braun, before I go, make sure you save my cell number, you’re going to need it and you might as well as get used to seeing it too.”
“Good idea, I’ll add it as soon as we hang up. And please add me as well, feel free to call anytime.” Insert foot in mouth. “I mean like for work, not just to call me, like, I don’t want—well, I do, I just mean—God, I…”
He interrupts me as I stand banging my head off the wall repeatedly.
“I know what you mean, Scrappy, you want me to call you. You’re not the first, babe.”
With that I let out a full-on belly laugh. God, I like the way he makes me feel already. “Are you laughing at me? I’ll have you know, I’m a catch. But okay, okay, you need more time before we become calling buddies, got it. So, for now, work calls only, okay, Scrappy, that sound good?” he asks and I can see his smirk through the phone.
I can’t stop the little tummy flutter at his words, but I manage to get out a breathy: “Yeah, perfect, Levi, thank you again.”
“My pleasure. Have a great night, Braunwyn.”
The call goes dead while I stand in the hallway for a moment, still holding the phone to my ear, reveling in the feelings he evokes. It’s nice to be reminded that the butterflies in my tummy might not be dead after all.
I utter a silent thank you to my very own guardian angel, while at the same time experiencing a wave of guilt for reacting the way that I did to Levi. I take a minute to regroup, tapering down the guilty thoughts, allowing my excitement to take back over before shooting an excited text to London. I tell her to get her beautiful self over here ASAP. That we need to celebrate my first official job!
Before I can even reply to her text, London bursts through our door yelling, “Told you so!” Grams cheers from the living room, and I hear the bird-like murmurs of Emme talking in her sleep.
“I know, I know, it’s almost as if you’re clairvoyant or something.”
“Har, har. Now tell me all about Boss Man. Was he as hot as his friggin’ voice? Cause Hooker, you know you could do with some action. Ooooh, maybe some kinda interoffice affair…” she says, smiling brightly.
“Umm, no. Sure, he’s very attractive, but there will be no great affair. I need the job, not a man, anyway.”
Besides, I’m sure he’s got a girlfriend. How could he not?
But I keep that thought to myself.
Once I’ve fed London’s inquisitive side enough, we spend the rest of the night celebrating the Daniels girls. We celebrate the best way we know how; we dance around the living room to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” while feasting on a celebratory pizza accompanied with popcorn and, of course, watching Emme’s favourite movie, “Despicable Me”. I ended up promising Emme that we would go the movies to see the Minions on Sunday as a way to celebrate how well she’s done in school, just the two of us.
Both London and Grams had no issues helping out with Emmerson on the nights I have to work. Levi explained that my shifts will usually run from 8:30 p.m. until close, and that he liked the staff to arrive fifteen minutes before hand. The shift times were perfect, as Little Miss will be sound asleep, thus allowing me to work and feel less guilty about leaving her. Chances are she won’t even notice I’m gone. All three were so excited that I got the job; I’m so lucky to have them. Emme and I are both lucky. London treats Emme as if she were her own and I could not ask for a more caring and loyal friend, even if she is a pain about getting me a love life.
Chapter 9
Braunwyn
It’s Saturday, which means that it’s my official training day at Pub Fiction, and I am so freaking nervous. I’m thankful that London suggested I complete my Smart Serve training a few months ago, so I at least have the basics down. Sure, in theory I can do this, but reality is a totally different thing.
Walking back into Pub Fiction, the butterflies in my stomach are beyond live and well. I have no idea if I can pull this job off, but I’m ready to give it my all, seeing as the last thing I want to have happen is for Levi to regret his decision to take a chance on me. He seemed sincere about having a clean slate like me to train and work with—a declaration that definitely gives me a bit more confidence today.
Walking closer to the bar, I spot a man who is pure sin, and he’s completely devouring me as I approach. Holy fudge, he’s looking at me as if he’s a starved man. I smile a bit inside at being so blatantly perused. It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed myself to enjoy being looked at by a man; nice to see that I’ve still got it. See? Progress already!
As I get closer, I see that he’s got his sandy-brown hair styled in a “faux-hawk”, longer on the top and gelled into a subtle crest while buzzed along the sides. The style showcases his gorgeous grey eyes, eyes I can see are friendly as I get closer, not at all intimidating like I expected. He isn’t overly tall, but he has the stocky build of an athlete, you know the type, all broad shoulders and huge hands like a wrestler. The man is definitely sex on legs.
Oh, jeez, why do all the men who work here have to be so darn hot?
“Hey, there, pretty lady,” he says with a sexy grin, “you must be my latest victim. Braunwyn, I presume?”
“Uh, yes, that’s I—I mean, yes, hi.” I wave like a loser. “Yes, hi. I’m Braun,” I say, extending my hand. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m glad to be working with you today. I’m not sure what you’ve been told, but I have no clue what I’m doing, I’ve never had a job before, but I prom—”
“Hi, I’m Luke,” he says, chuckling as he clasps my hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses it chastely. “Relax, there, sweetheart. It’s all good, nothing to worry about. Trust me.”
I nod, trying to relax at his kind words. “Sorry, Luke I get a bit over-the-top chatty when I’m nervous. I just want to do a good job. Levi is taking a chance on me and I want to be an asset here.”
“Oh, trust me, sweets, you will definitely be an asset around here. I can totally see why Levi hired you,” he laughs, and I have to admit I’m not sure what to make of his comment. So I do what I would normally never do. I ask.
“What the hell does that mean, buddy?” Hey! I’m doing the “human interaction” thing.
Putting his hand up in mock surrender, Luke begins laughing. “Whoa, there, Braunnie. You really are a little firecracker, aren’t you? Levi was right, you’re gorgeous, but damn, with that sass you got going on, those dudes won’t stand a chance messing with you,” he says, smiling. “Honestly, it was a compliment. So, down girl. I’m just saying you’re gonna be a good fit.”
“Okay, well, thanks, I guess. But tone down the jerk act a bit, eh?” I burst out laughing at his shocked expression.
Luke shakes his head. “‘Scrappy’ is a perfect name for you. Levi hit the nail on the head with that one,” he chuckles, his shoulders actually shaking, clearly pleased with his assessment of me.
At his use of the name “Scrappy”, I roll my eyes. Luke takes that as a signal that he is forgiven and drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Now, it’s just too bad you’re not my type, we could have been so beautiful together, Braunnie. You’re just too much sass for this ass.” He points to himself.
I want to ask him what else Levi had to say about me. Did he tell Luke he thought I was good looking? But, of course, I refrain. I mean, that would just make me look like I might care…right? And I totally don’t. Right?
With his arm still around me, Luke carries on: “I think we’re gonna have a lot of fun together. I love a girl with guts, one who can keep me on my toes. I thought you were gonn
a take me down there for a minute,” he jokes, and I look forward to getting to know this crazy man a bit better today.
Walking toward the back hall, Luke gives me the lay of the land. “Remember, you need to report to the bar at least fifteen minutes before the shift starts; we always have a quick stand-up meeting with all the staff. This is where Levi or I will share any important info for the night, be it specials, VIP bookings, or whatever.” He stops in front of a door that says “Staff Only”. “Okay, so this is the staffroom. In here is where we all have a locker, and there’s an employee washroom and a small kitchen. You can make yourself at home,” Luke says as he opens the door wider so we can step in, “but be sure to lock the door if you’re going to get changed in here.” It’s a pretty big space with about a dozen lockers on one wall, and a leather couch and coffee table off to the left along with a small galley kitchen with a dining table.
“Right. Lock the door,” I repeat.
“Yeah, we had a bit of a problem when Levi’s brother, Ryker, worked here. He always seemed to forget to knock, especially when his now-girlfriend, Kat, would be changing in here. Ever since ‘Rykergate’, we’ve had a lock. The last thing Levi needs is for someone to get pissed off at being unwillingly seen all naked and shit. It’s good thing Kat was so into our boy. Man, those two took forever to hook up; we all knew it was bound to happen, it just took them a while to get on the same page…” he trails off, and shows me which locker will be mine.
“As you know,” Luke begins, as we head toward the storage room, “I’m the lucky SOB who gets to train your cute self today, eh? And you should know that you are also lucky ’cause I. AM. THE. MAN. I am Pub Fiction’s trainer extraordinaire. Ask around, it’s a known fact,” he deadpans, and I laugh at him. “Hey, I’ll have you know, Braunnie, you’ve been graced with the presence of serving and bartending royalty. There’s no need to worry, I will teach you all you need to know. And all within your four-hour training shift.” I look at him skeptically. “Yeah, Braunnie, you and I are gonna be great together.”
I laugh at this nickname and he gives my head a condescending little pat, before he proceeds to show me where to find everything I may ever need, true to his word.
Luke is clearly a joker, and I’m already drawn to his personality. I could definitely see adding him to my new list of friends in the very near future. For now, the butterflies have subsided and I’m even starting to feel a bit relaxed. And, above all, excited to start work.
Chapter 10
Levi
I hear laughter coming from the storage room and I have to go shut it down. It’s not that I don’t allow fun, but that particular giggling sound is doing shit to my cock and I can’t take it anymore. I assume it’s Braun laughing with dickhead Luke, and the thought pisses me off. Seriously, hearing her voice the other day over the phone nearly killed me. I swear I walked around the rest of the night with a hard as steel dick and her sweet voice telling me “Yes! Oh, God, yes!” on repeat.
What the actual fuck is this chick doing to me?
I approach the storage room. Fuck it. I want to make those beautiful eyes of hers shine. I noticed their colour, so unique it’s as if you’re looking through a glass of whiskey on a warm summer’s night. I’ll be damned if I don’t want to be the guy responsible for her sexy pouty lips expelling those giggles. Maybe even the only guy. I’ve got no fucking clue why, but I know for certain that I want this time with her. To be the one showing her stuff, getting to know her that bit more. But I never train anyone anymore, and Luke knows it. Shit. I stand outside the door torturing myself while listening to that laugh again. Jesus, I need to get a piece tonight. Deciding I can’t take it anymore, I walk away before I make an ass of myself by getting caught lurking like a creepy pervert, or worse, giving Luke ammunition to bust my balls.
I don’t need this right now. And I don’t have the time, anyway.
“Boss. Hey, boss,” I hear Luke’s voice suddenly calling when I’m halfway back to my office.
“Hey, brother, what’s up?” I ask turning toward him, noticing the stressed look on his face. “You okay, man?”
“Fuck, no. I gotta go, my sister just called, she’s in hysterics. Trent’s been in an accident and everyone’s meeting at the hospital.” He’s talking so fast. “I guess my folks are already there. Mel needs me to pick her up on my way.” He runs his hand through his hair, he’s clearly panicking, and I feel for him immediately.
“Of course. You need me to drive you?”
“No, thanks, though. I’m okay. Just a bit in shock, is all.”
“Okay, get outta here then. Keep me posted,” I say, slapping his back as he heads to the staffroom to get his stuff. “And take all the time you need. I got it all covered. Call if you guys need anything,” I shout as he heads through the door.
“Thanks, boss, appreciate it. Oh, and please tell Braunnie I’m sorry I had to leave and that I’ll see her soon.”
“Braunnie”? What the fuck is that? I want to say, but I don’t. I know it’s harmless. Luke is a complete flirt and it’s not like I’m that interested in her. Regardless, it still pisses me off to hear him calling her that.
“Will do,” I call back instead, and head to the storage room to see Braunwyn. I guess I will be getting some time with her after all.
*
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
Standing in the doorway, I stare, utterly transfixed by the sight before me. Braunwyn is on her haunches beside a liquor crate where she is clearly taking inventory, counting to be sure the numbers match. She is a sight to behold, a clipboard resting on her knee along with a pen nestled between her luscious lips. Fuck me, she’s something. My eyes migrate to the swell of her perky tits. Braun’s teasing me and she doesn’t even know it. This girl. Luscious mounds of what I imagine to be perfection are sneaking a peek over the trim on her black tank top. And I swear they look like they want me as much as I need them. Christ, I need to get laid.
After gawking like the asshole I am, I adjust myself before entering, gearing up to share the same space as this girl I know jack shit about. I vow to change that right now.
“Ahem,” I say so she knows she’s not alone anymore.
Removing the pen from her lips, she takes me in from head to toe. I’m not even sure she realizes she’s doing it, but I’ll be damned if the thought that she might like what she sees doesn’t make me giddy as fuck.
With flushed cheeks, she greets me with that voice of hers, the one that sticks with me even in its wake. “Oh, Levi. Hi,” she says, a huge smile overtaking her pretty face, and making my whole fucking day. “Is everything okay with Luke? He looked upset on the phone.”
I move in closer to her, pulling up a crate to take a seat in front of her before explaining what happened. I run my hand over my face, I’m worried about Trent, he and Luke are tight. Hell, his whole family is close, just like Ryk, my mom and me. “His brother was in a motorcycle accident, so he had to leave. I told him to just go. Family is more important than anything; this place, she’ll be here when things are settled.” I look at her, needing her without even realizing it. Just sitting here with her, I feel the worry fleeing.
“Oh, that’s terrible, I hope his brother is okay,” she says, looking at me intently with an unspoken understanding. We sit in silence for what feels like minutes before she awkwardly averts her eyes to look elsewhere, anywhere. “Ah, well, I can go, it’s not a big deal. My schedule is pretty open, so just call me and let me know when I should come back. You should go to the hospital too, I can tell you’re worried.” And before I know it, she’s standing right in front of me, her pussy now at my eye level. I take a deep swallow before allowing my eyes to trace up her lithe body to meet those stunning eyes of hers head on. Fuck me, this girl is something else.
Deciding I better stand before I take her down to the floor and have my way with her, I jump up to my feet. A lone crate separates us.
“No, stay,” I tell her. It comes out as
a grunt, causing me to cringe at my tone.
She raises her eyebrows and I can feel the tension in my body dissipate. “Come on, Scrappy, I’ll train ya,” I say, smiling at the mix of what looks to be relief and happiness crossing her face.
“But Luke told me you didn’t train anyone anymore?” Braun lets out faster than she can cover up. And, like the ass I am, I relish the idea that she is curious about me, has even talked about me.
“Have you been asking about me, Scrappy?” I ask “What all do you wanna know, sweetheart?” I ask, more seriously than intended. Fuck, for some reason I feel like I might just tell this girl anything. What the fuck is wrong with me?
Deciding I need to get us back on track before I allow things to get out of hand like I want them to, I head toward the crates of liquor.
“Follow me,” I say, picking up three cases of liquor bottles from the floor. “Let’s head up to the bar and I’ll show you how to safely stack the bottles along the top shelves.”
“Sounds good. Need me to bring a box?” she asks.
“If you think you can, that would be great. If not I can come back.” I laugh at the look she gives me. The one where I see the smoke coming from her ears at a slow simmer.
“I may be a woman, Levi, but I am neither weak nor idle,” she says placing her hands on her curvy hips. Hips I want to grip as they grind down on me. “I can carry a crate of bottles, thank you very much,” Braun mutters, as she bends to lift her own case.
“Easy Scrappy. I wasn’t implying that at all, but seeing as you’re all ‘I am woman, hear me roar’, you might as well hit the lights while I hold the door open for us. Think you can handle that, superstar?” I tease as she huffs past me, giving me a little “grrrr” sound as she passes and flicks off the lights. I keep a close watch on her as she leads the way to the bar, those curvy hips and her sexy tight ass swaying with each step. I can’t look away.
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