“You’re coming up on a year with us. How’s it going for you?”
“Man, I still feel like there’s so much to learn.” I turn my legs to the side as the others enter. “But my crew is strong and the more events we execute, the better we’ll get.”
“I like to hear that. Learning is part of the job. We’re always chartering new territory, it’s how you remain relevant.” Asher stood extending a hand to Jazz, his wife. He bent over kissing her stomach.
“Let’s get this underway. The doors reopen in half an hour.” Yuki strolls in with a clipboard in hand. “The VIP room is set up for the speed dating. The band is ready. Do you have everything you need for the specialty drink menu?”
“Yes, the last order of syrups came in this morning. I ordered long stem roses for the bartenders to present to all the women tonight.” I reviewed my notes glancing back up. “Oh, and I picked up the Uber vouchers to make sure everyone arrives home safely.”
“Great.”
Yuki worked through the tasks of the others as I kept one ear on the conversation. The dynamic at S&J took me a while to get used to. Asher and Dylan are best friends. Asher and Yuki are siblings. It was the siblings that hired me on the spot.
I got this job after moving back to Austin and taking on the greatest challenge of my life, raising my niece, Zoe. My twin sister and her husband died asking that I raise her. At the time, I was doing good to have clean socks and underwear, now to have the life of an entire person in my hands is still mind-boggling.
As the manager of the front end, I am working all night to ensure it runs without a single issue. Tonight could easily triple the bar earnings for the week and a sweet bonus for me. A bonus I need to live in Austin, which was no easy feat. Especially with covering private school tuition for my niece and college courses for himself. Bills added up faster than I can earn it.
The meeting released shortly after and I made my way back to the front. I walked through all the stations pleased at the way the night is coming together. Every holiday, and every event seems to grow from the last.
The doors open and in less than fifteen minutes the place is packed.
Yuki and Jazz round the corner with their matching baby bumps. I paused to watch the two in action. They pass me, Jazz giving me a supportive squeeze on the arm. I’m thankful for finding such a great job and then I see her.
Hunter Preston.
Her crew is like watching a clothed Victoria’s Secret commercial, minus the fan. The women stand in the doorway, and the chatter in the bar lowers to a hush. All of them were dimes, and Hunter is the ring leader. From her slick hair to her black heels, she is perfection, and she knows it.
Hunter tosses her head back covering her ruby lips leaning into one of her girls. Then the ripple of her laughter crosses the room sending shockwaves through my body. I have no business wanting her. And the list of reasons is endless.
Rumor has it that Hunter is a millionaire. A MILLIONAIRE. And I’m a man struggling to raise a child and take college classes on the weekends. I’m living my best life if I can get a good sitter and a cold beer on the same day.
Judging by the men she’s brought in over the past year, I’m not her type. She likes her men in suits and ties with deep pockets. Matching socks and clean underwear and my daughter happy are my only prerequisites. Jeans and t-shirts take care of the rest.
And I’ve never seen her with a white guy. I shrug crossing the room to take over the bar. I’ve dated women of all races. I don’t discriminate, especially after my sister’s death. Life is too short to get hung up on skin color. You have to take happiness anyway you can get it, because it's not guaranteed.
But my body ignores the list. Those hips, that ass, call to the man in me especially with her full lips painted in that shiny lip gloss. My mind has no problem imagining her lipstick stained across my body.
My eyes sweep the length of her body once more knowing it would never happen. Pre-Zoe I would have been all over Hunter. But now I’m up to my eyeballs in tutus, dance recitals, play dates, and volunteering at Zoe’s preschool. I’m thankful for having such a flexible job. I handle most of my paperwork and office tasks while she’s in school and cover the shifts after she’s in bed. I couldn’t ask for a better setup, except for all the energy and effort I’ve put into raising Zoe means I’ve lost myself in the shuffle. It also means women like Hunter Preston are no longer an option for me.
The activity in the room picks up as the speed daters move like a herd of cattle to the VIP lounge. I sent half of my waiters and a bartender to work in there. I’ll hold down the main bar on my own because it makes the time move faster.
I fix drinks, pass out roses, and interact with the customers. Then I smell her scent. I glance over, and Hunter is sitting at my bar. She has on a badge for speed dating, but she looking out over the crowd in a daze. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to shock her.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” I pick up a rose. “For you.” A bright smile crosses her lips.
“Thank you, Ben.” She turns to the bar, lifting the rose to her nose. The flicker of the candles on the bar gives her a soft glow. Up close she doesn’t look like herself. There’s no light in her eyes. “Can I get my regular?”
“No problem. But we have a special drink menu tonight. Let me make you something special.”
“I’d like that.”
I nod, reaching for the vodka and a cocktail shaker. “Do you like chocolate covered strawberries?”
“What girl doesn’t?” The woman flirts like a champ. I’ve watched her knock out many men with a bat of those lashes.
I add the vodka, strawberry puree, and the other ingredients into the shaker by memory. I make the drink appreciating the view of her up close. I lay down a napkin and present the glass with a little chocolate strawberry tuile.
Hunter smiles dropping her clutch on the bar. She takes a sip, and a moan passes between us. I step closer to the bar to hide the effect the sound has on me.
“That good?”
“Yes, that good.”
Yuki makes the final call for speed dating participants from across the room and I glance back at Hunter. The glass is back on the napkin, empty.
“I’ll take another.” She places her card on the bar.
The part of my job I never expected is all the details I learn about people’s lives over a drink. I’ve witness proposals, heard about divorces. I’ve seen people drink more than their fair share due to happiness, sadness, life changes, and more often than not defeat. And Hunter has that look on her face.
“Want to talk about it?” I make another drink. She takes a long drag and opens her mouth to respond.
“Jo, come on, girl. Let’s take a picture.” Baddie number two insists, and Hunter gives an Instagram worthy pucker and the three pose for endless pictures. Passing phones back and forth, examining the camera rolls.
“Ben, can you take one of us?”
“Sure, Harper, right?” I take her phone, feeling Hunter’s eyes on me.
“Yes.” Harper smiles as the three pose with Hunter in the middle. The mahogany wood and activity behind them made for the perfect backdrop.
“All right I’ll take a few. Then it’s back to work for me.” I glance over to ensure Mario is back. Then I glance down at the iPhone screen. “One…two…three….”
Hunter has my full attention. A slight pout of her lips. The sexy glance over her shoulder. The naughty grip on her bottom lip. Then a Valentine’s Day kiss is blown over her fingertips, and I swear it’s floating in my direction.
I take a few more, hoping to capture the other ladies adequately. I pass Harper’s phone back mumbling my parting words. I need distance from the concentration of raw sexiness and the lure of Hunter.
“Mario I’m heading out for my break.”
“Cool. I got it under control.”
I nod and glance back once more to find Hunter’s steamy eyes. I pause at the end of the counter, throwing back a shot to smother
the dangerous feelings. Desire, lust, love are not in my vocabulary, and I’m not at risk of succumbing to cupid’s antics.
Love isn’t something I run from or run to, because I don’t think I’ve yet experienced real love. Yeah, I’ve had girlfriends, but nothing or no one so special I wanted to wake up next to forever.
But tonight the shot of tequila mixed with the tempting glossy red lips have me thinking what if. Which is a dangerous scenario when paired with alcohol, and months without sex. It’s hard to fit it in with Zoe tied to my leg. And to be honest, I can’t just pick up a girl and think nothing of it knowing I’m raising a little girl.
For months, I kept calling myself a single uncle. But after over a year of Zoe and I, the truth is, I’m a single father, and I want to do my sister proud. And that means I can’t have women coming and going in my daughter’s life.
I glance up at the sky as I step out into the cool night air, hoping it is the equivalent of a cold showers to shock my over imaginative mind into understanding that nothing about Hunter and Ben goes together.
She’s rich. I’m struggling. She’s gorgeous. And I can hold my own, in all departments. But her “fun time” vibes are what I would have sought before the accident, before I became a father, before I had my life turned upside down by my Zoe Bear. And my life has no room for fun time, rich, absolutely drop dead gorgeous women, especially not Hunter Preston.
Chapter 3
Hunter
I wait on the barstool while Charlee and Harper went inside. Ben ran like someone set his feet on fire and I’ve lost count of how many of these delicious chocolate strawberry drinks I’ve had. The fact that I can’t hear my daddy’s ultimate ringing in my head makes me order one more.
Mario fulfills my request with his eyes glued to my breast. I snap my fingers.
“Eyes up Mario.” He places the drink on a napkin scurrying off to the other end of the bar.
“What is it with men staring like they’ve never seen boobs before?” I ask no one, in particular, sipping my drink.
I glance out over the crowd in S&J. I appreciate the relaxed yet professional vibe. The waiters dressed in white shirts and black bottoms. The staff is attentive and managed to create an upscale environment with excellent international food in the courtyard and signature drinks. Tonight the usual jazz music is replaced by smooth R&B coming from a live band in the lounge.
I finished the drink turning back to the bar ready to request another when my eyes land on Ben. I wouldn’t peg him as my type. I’m all for black love, and I’ve never dated anyone but black men. But he makes me curious.
For all of my intentional flirting, he is the consummate professional. His eyes never lingered too long. He never crosses the line. And maybe it’s the vodka, but right now it makes Ben hot in my book. His dirty blonde hair, light brown eyes, and kind smile mixed with liquid courage made me curl a finger in his direction, beckoning him over.
I’ve noticed him for months, but now I’m a single woman.
“What is this heaven in a glass called?”
“Love Buzz.” He smiles and either I’m drunk or my heart’s racing.
“Ben, tell me about yourself.” I pass him my glass. “Are you from here?”
“Yes and no. I was raised here until Bergstrom closed. Then my family bounced around following my father in the Air Force.” He places a fresh drink in front of me, leaning on the edge of the bar.
“Do you have family here?” I ask.
“Yes. What about you? Are you from here?”
“I am. I was born and raised in Austin.” I glance over the rim of the glass, which is common knowledge for true Austinites. My name and my family are known by all. I take another long drink, trying to keep my father’s voice at bay.
“Take it easy with that Hunter. What number is that for you?”
“Four, five…” I shrug. “Don’t worry, I’m not driving.” I wink with as much boldness as I can muster up as I see my girls heading in our direction. “Here come my guys.”
Ben chuckles, and I freeze. The sound is melodic, and his face warms with color. “Why do you call them guys?”
“It’s our thing. We all have guy names. It’s how we bonded. There’s Harper, who you’ve met, and this is Charlee.”
“Hey, handsome.” Charlee leans forward causing her neckline to dip lower. I roll my eyes, always a flirt.
“Nice to meet you.”
Then Ben turns back to me. Apparently not giving in to Charlee’s flirting either. Okay, either he’s gay or a nun. “Can men be nuns?”
“Not technically, I think they’re called monks.” A flash of humor crosses his face.
I turned to Harper. “Did I say that aloud?”
Her slow nod made me want to melt into a puddle like on The Wiz.
“I think I’ve had too many of these.” I put the glass down, pushing it in Ben’s direction. “How’d speed dating go?”
I had to change the subject or get swallowed whole for the error in my ways. The amusement on Ben’s face makes it worse. “I’m thoroughly embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.”
“Fuck! I did it again.” I slapped my forehead. This time he couldn’t hold in his laughter.
“Speed dating went…huh well.” Harper tries to save me.
“I want whatever she’s drinking.” And of course, Charlee digs a hole big enough for us both to fit inside.
Ben busies himself with making Charlee a drink, I glance at him, and he’s talking to a couple.
“Stop flirting with him, Charlee.” I hiss, keeping my eye on Ben.
“Why? He’s cute.” She sends him a finger wave.
I give Harper my best I’m going to kill her look.
“You two stop it. Come on, let’s do one for the Gram.”
Harper extends her arm, and we pose with her expert direction. Then Charlee scurries off for the bathroom.
“What’s up with you tonight?” Harper asks scanning through the pictures. She holds the phone in my direction. “I’m going to post this one.”
“That’s cute. Tag me.” I slide closer dropping my voice. “The trip is off.”
“Why?” she whines sitting her phone on the bar.
“Daddy is trippin’. He said I’m being irresponsible with money, and he wants to teach me a lesson.” I struggled with how much to tell her. Should I tell her everything? No way, I can’t. I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one night.
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t know. He says I have to write a business plan and submit it to him in thirty days.”
“A business plan. Do you even know what that is?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” My neck snaps back. “Yes, I know what it is.” The right question is, do I know how to write one. Hell naw!
“Sorry. You’ve just never been the business-minded type.”
I didn’t like the way she said business, like I’m dumb or something. “What type of mind do you think I have, Harper?”
“Don’t snap at me, Hunter. Trips, events, parties. You are organized and creative. I never seen you as a suit wearing, briefcase carrying, office type.”
“I can understand how you’d say that. But I don’t have a choice. I have thirty days to think of something.”
“Or what?” Harper asked.
I shake my head biting the side of my cheek. The knot in my stomach is the size of Texas, and Harper’s face isn’t helping. The dread on her face mirrors my future if I don’t come up with a plan.
“He’s taking my inheritance,” I whisper.
She gasps. “Nooooo.”
I nod so hard my neck is aching.
“He wouldn’t,” she whispered back.
“I don’t know, Harper. I really pissed him off with this trip.”
“I did think the yacht was a bit much.”
“Harper!”
“Sorry, damn.” She held up her hands in surrender. “Let’s not panic. Thirty days is four weeks. You’ve done m
uch more with less.”
“I have.” I scan my memories. “That celebratory brunch for your parents. And that surprise engagement for Charlee’s brother. Oh and remember that Bentley.”
“Hunter you got this.” Harper sat straight up.
“I do, don’t I.” I feel better. Harper is right. I can do this. My only hiccup is…. “Don’t business plans have a specific format?”
“I guess. Ain’t nothing Auntie Google can’t help with.” Harper pulls out her phone and starts typing.
“Ben, can I get a bottle of water?”
Harper turns the screen in my direction. I hold it in my hands scrolling through the search results. There are templates, videos, steps, each result is chipping away at my optimism. Panic is rioting inside me. I close my eyes taking a deep breath. I hear the crackle of the plastic bottle and open my eyes to see Ben.
“I can help.”
“Help with what?” I play dumb because either he has Superman's hearing or we were talking too loud. And I’m betting on the latter.
“I can write the business plan for you.” His voice is firm and confident as he places a hand in his pocket. I search his face.
Do I believe him? The man is fine, but am I willing to bet my inheritance on him? Hell, on myself. Heat is rising to my cheeks. Ben doesn’t back down from my stare, and it sends a shock of electricity through my body. Now is not the time to think about sexy times. Hunter Josephine Preston.
“Hunt, whatever you’re thinking, please don’t say it.”
“Harper, I love you, but you really need to learn how to whisper.” I pick up the bottle of water and take a long drink. “No offense, but you’re a bartender. Why should I believe you?”
“I’m a bartender because it works for my life. And I have examples and references.”
Charlee returns sitting next to Harper. “What’s going on?”
“Hunt’s trying to decide if she should work with Ben to write a business plan.” Charlee’s gaze bounces between us.
“A business plan. Hunter don’t know nothing about a business.”
I roll my eyes, stopping at Charlee gritting my teeth. “Why does everyone doubt my ability to do this? Y’all act like I’m incapable of writing a damn business plan.”
Platinum Love: A BWWM Romance (Blazin' Love Book 1) Page 2