Work Like You Don't Need the Money (Summer Lake)

by SJ McCoy

  “I thought I'd return the favor and get out of your way for a while.”

  She smiled as she turned to face him. Pete simply nodded. He didn't trust himself to say anything. The only words he could imagine speaking were, Take the dress off! His mind was screaming them. Either she had to get out of the room or get out of the dress. One or the other had to happen in the next few seconds.

  “I'll see you down there then.”

  Pete allowed himself to breathe again as she closed the door behind her.

  Oh, boy. He was going to have to sleep in the truck. No two ways about it. There was no way in hell he'd be able to sleep next to that woman and not sleep with her.

  Chapter Two

  Holly ran across the parking lot and stepped inside the restaurant. She immediately felt at home. The neighborhood where she'd grown up had a large Spanish community, and she still loved to visit the bodegas and tapas bars around her parents' home.

  “Good evening, Miss.” A handsome man in his late thirties, maybe, came around the bar to greet her. “A table for one?”

  “No, thank you. I'd like to sit at the bar for now. A friend will be joining me to eat.”

  “Ah, you are the friend of Mr. Pete?”

  Holly smiled, “Yes, that would be me.”

  The man offered his hand with a big smile. “Bienvenido, any friend of Mr. Pete is a friend and family here. I am Alonso, welcome.”

  “Encantada. Thank you, Alonso. I'm Holly.”

  “Encantado to meet you too, Holly. Please, what can I get you?”

  Holly settled herself at the bar. “What's your favorite wine from home?”

  Alonso grinned, “You like the Spanish wines? I have a wonderful Rioja. You want to try?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Alonso disappeared into the back. Holly could hear a conversation in Spanish, then he returned with a beautiful dark haired woman, about Holly's age, a bottle and three glasses.

  “Holly, I'd like you to meet my wife, Elena.”

  Elena smiled and came around the bar to kiss Holly on both cheeks. Accustomed to this greeting, Holly smiled. “Encantada, Señora Elena.”

  “Dios mio! You speak Spanish?”

  “Un poquito, only a little.”

  Alonso beamed and poured the Rioja. Holly tasted it and smiled. “This is wonderful!”

  “I am happy you like it. It is my brother's wine. Here in California it seems people only want the local wines. I understand, but I am sad that they miss out on other flavors.”

  “They're seriously missing out big time if they don't try this,” said Holly. “Do you ever offer tastings or use it as a special house wine?”

  Alonso and Elena exchanged a look. “No,” said Alonso, “I never thought to try that.”

  “Oh, you must. The easy way would be simply to offer the Rioja as a special house red and have your staff tell its story whenever someone orders it. Or, if you wanted to invest some time and energy, you could offer a tasting evening or even a pairing menu. Promote your brother's wines and your own menu at the same time. I'll bet you could organize trips up here, a coach from the city for an evening, or even work with the B&B to make it a weekend thing.” Holly stopped herself, realizing that Alonso and his wife were staring at her.

  “Sorry. I tend to see marketing ideas and get carried away with them,” she smiled.

  “These are brilliant ideas,” smiled Alonso.

  “They are,” added Elena. “Please, will you teach me more on these things?”

  “I'd love to. I don't know that I'm good enough to teach, but I'll gladly share my ideas with you.”

  Elena looked around the restaurant. It was practically empty. “Alonso, would you check on the children, please?”

  Alonso disappeared into the back and Elena ushered Holly over to a table, collecting a notepad and pen on the way. Holly was excited to share her ideas and Elena seemed eager for any suggestions she could get.

  As Holly was telling Elena about one of the restaurants she knew that offered a 'Tapas and Tastings' happy hour, three small children came out from behind the bar. They solemnly lined up beside the table. All three were made up of dark hair, olive skin and great big smiles. They stood quietly, smiling at her, but Holly could sense pent up laughter and energy just waiting to be unleashed.

  “Holly, these are our children, Alonso Jr., Carlos, and Isabel. Niños, this is Señorita Holly.”

  “Hola, Señorita Holly,” chorused the children who, Holly guessed, ranged from six to ten years old, the little girl being the youngest.

  “Hola,” she replied and smiled at them.

  The little girl stepped forward to kiss Holly's cheeks. When Holly bent down to her, she wrapped her arms around Holly's neck and climbed into her lap.

  Elena smiled. “Isabel tells us who we can trust. Mostly she hides from strangers, but when she finds a true and gentle soul she loves them out loud. It seems that you are such a soul, just as I thought.”

  Holly was touched by the gesture of the dark haired little beauty smiling up at her. “Why, thank you, Isabel. I am honored.”

  The oldest boy stepped forward. “You want to see our garden?”

  Isabel slid to the floor and tugged on Holly's hand. Seeing Elena was smiling and nodding her agreement, Holly allowed herself to be led out to a covered patio where the children were growing herbs and potted plants. In no time she was laughing and chasing with the three of them. They were delightful children. They made her think again how much she wanted kids of her own. Carlos wanted to pick a flower to give to her so she would remember him. Alonso, older and wiser, was telling him that if he did, she wouldn't be able to keep it because flowers curl up and die when they are picked. Seeing how disappointed Carlos looked, she decided to show them how they could press flowers and keep them.

  They trooped back inside, each carrying a flower. Holly had noticed some big heavy books on the shelves around the fireplace at the far end of the bar. She asked Elena if they could use them, then settled back at the table. Once she sat down, Isabel crawled into her lap again and the two boys stood either side of her. Alonso Jr. placed an arm around her shoulder as he leaned in to watch her placing the first flower carefully between the pages of the book. Not to be outdone, Carlos moved closer and put his hand on her other shoulder. Holly smiled, thrilled to be in the company of these affectionate little people.

  **********

  Pete stopped and caught his breath as he stepped inside the restaurant. He'd been imagining that perfect body, sitting on a bar stool waiting for him. Having visions of how she really looked and felt underneath that dress. Now, instead, he saw her sitting at a table, surrounded by three of his favorite children. Her fairer head was encircled by three dark ones, little smiles and hands clamoring for her attention.

  He stood transfixed, watching her with the kids, laughing and doing something with an old book. Instead of dousing his attraction for her, as he might have expected, the sight of her laughing and obviously being so good with them only intensified his desire for her. He clenched his fist. He'd have to knock that on the head – and quick!

  Alonso greeted him from behind the bar, “Hey, Mr. Pete, didn't I tell you? More like family!” He smiled over to where Holly was sitting. “Chicos, you must leave Señorita Holly to have dinner now.”

  Pete watched the children edge closer to her as Holly looked up and smiled at him.

  “Hey, Pete.”

  “Hey, yourself.” He cleared his throat, surprised how hoarse his voice sounded. She was scrambling his senses, those amber eyes shining at him, looking so damn happy!

  “Would you mind if we finish up here first?”

  “Of course not.”

  Isabel slid down from Holly's lap and came over to him. She slipped her tiny hand into his and led him over to the table. Alonso Sr. shot Pete a questioning look, he smiled and nodded. Isabel was just too cute, smiling up at him and she was, after all, taking him over to Holly.

  Holly smiled at him
as he sat down, “We're nearly finished, sorry. We're pressing flowers.”

  Pete grinned, whatever he might have guessed they were doing, he would never have thought of that.

  Alonso Jr. looked a little put out to be discovered in such a girly pursuit. He liked to talk 'business' with Pete whenever he stopped by. “I am only watching,” he stated.

  Pete grinned at him. “Then you, sir, are a very smart young man. As a man, you need to watch and listen when a lady shows you how to do the things she likes. If you learn about those little things, then maybe someday you will be able to please her, by doing them for her.”

  Alonso Jr. smiled back, “Do you know how to please Señorita Holly?”

  Pete's lips quirked at the possible interpretations of that question. He held Holly's eyes with his own and was pleased to see them widen as he replied, “Not yet, Alonso, but I'd like to learn.”

  Elena appeared at his elbow, “So good to see you, Mr. Pete!”

  “And you, Elena. How are you?”

  “I am well, thank you. If you will excuse me, I must get the children to bed now. Vamonos, hijos. Let's go.”

  Pete watched as they gathered around Holly, reaching for hugs and kisses.

  “Good night, Señorita Holly,” said Isabel.

  “We will keep the flowers safe until you come back,” said Alonso Jr.

  “Please come back soon,” said Carlos as he hugged her waist.

  “Goodnight, children.” Holly smiled as Elena shooed them into the back.

  “Seems I'm not the only one you've got wrapped around your little finger,” said Pete.

  Holly raised an eyebrow, “I don't see you getting wrapped around anyone's finger, Mr. Bigshot! But yes, I think I did just make some new friends.”

  “Mr. Bigshot?” laughed Pete. “What the hell makes you say that?” He was surprised by the name and even more surprised that he liked her using it.

  “Oh, come on,” she smiled. “It's obvious that you're used to saying 'Jump' and having everyone ask 'How high?'”

  Pete laughed. She was probably right, but he didn't like to think of it that way. He couldn't work out the look on her face. Was she dismissing him, or tempting him? He gave her a hard stare, remaining silent, watching the laughter fade from her face as she stared back at him. He held the silence a few moments longer than was comfortable, then said, “Jump!”

  She laughed. “No way, Mr. Bigshot. You're not getting me like that.”

  Though she was laughing, the gleam in her eyes looked a lot like lust and that dress couldn't hide her taut nipples. She really did want him. Perhaps not as much as he wanted her, that might be impossible, but her body was giving her away. Would it really be such a bad idea to act on something they both wanted so badly?

  “What way will I get you then?” He couldn't resist asking and was shocked when she met his eyes.

  “Any way you want as long as it's just sex, no strings.”

  He wasn't used to a woman taking his breath away and leaving him speechless, but here she'd done it again. She stood before him, chin lifted, shoulders thrown back, lips slightly parted, looking so very kissable. But he shouldn't. They shouldn't. How could he not?! Or was she really just teasing?

  Alonso rescued him. “We have your table now, my friends. The best in the house. Please, follow me.”

  Pete allowed Holly to walk ahead of him, watching her backside swing while considering her words, 'Any way you like.' What was that quote? Something about 'Let me count the ways'? It would take them quite a while to work through all the ways he wanted her! She couldn't be serious? And could he do it if she were? More like could he stop himself? He already knew the answer to that one.

  Once they were seated and Alonso had left them with a bottle of the Rioja, he peered over his menu at her. “It's not fair to taunt a guy like that, you know. Especially to tease him with something you can see he wants so badly.”

  “I wasn't teasing. I was offering.”

  She looked up at him and he locked her eyes with his own. Needing to pin her down on what she was really saying. “Any way I like?”

  He watched her swallow and press her lips together as she nodded slowly.

  “Why Holly?”

  “Isn't it obvious?”

  “It's obvious that I want you. Beyond that, I'm not sure I can think straight enough to make sense of anything!”

  “Well, I think it's obvious that I want you too. It's also obvious that we shouldn't. We're from different worlds. We have no business being together, but we're going to be seeing a lot of each other until Emma and Jack's wedding. We can dance around it and make life difficult, or we can get it over with and out of the way.”

  “Get it over with?!” Pete was taken aback by her forthright explanation and pretty much insulted that any woman, especially one he wanted this badly, would consider sex with him something she had to 'get it over with.' He stared at her, eyebrows lowered. The waiter came to take their order, giving Pete a moment to calm down. Once the waiter had gone, he looked at Holly again.

  She smiled sweetly at him, “What's up Mr. Bigshot, like to think you're something special do you?”

  He had to laugh, “I don't think it, Sweetheart, I know it, and I'm going to show you just how special. All... Night... Long...

  He saw the bravado slip. She wasn't near as brazen as she was trying to make out. But she had offered herself to him on a plate. And her argument did have some merit; it would be torture to keep seeing her and wanting her over the next few months. This way, they could get it out of their system. As she put it, 'get it over with.' She'd given him reason to overcome his own self-discipline, he intended to make the most of it.

  When the waiter returned with their food, Pete resisted the urge to wolf it down and get her back to the B&B as quickly as possible. For all the physical attraction, it was more than that too. He enjoyed just being around her. Talking to her, laughing with her. Looking at her now, she was nervous, a little unsure of what she'd done. If she wanted to back out, so be it, but he was determined to make it such an enjoyable evening that she wouldn't want to. That she'd be as wanting and willing as he was by the time they got back to the room.

  **********

  Holly swallowed a forkful of paella and had to chase it with a sip of water. Her throat was dry. Her palms were sweating. What in hell had she just done? She looked up to find that intense blue gaze fixed on her. Was he trying to figure her out, or figure out what he was going to do to her? The butterflies in her stomach were swirling madly. Her body hummed in anticipation. When he looked at her like that she felt as though she was already naked before him.

  Sex with Pete was inevitable. She'd known that for certain when he'd returned to the room after her shower. The way he'd looked at her, even when she'd turned away from him, she'd felt his eyes burning through her dress. The way her body responded to him. The way she was powerless to stop it. The currents of desire zinging between the two of them were undeniable. She had been feeling powerless, out of control, swept along toward the unavoidable truth that they were going to end up naked together. When he'd made his comment about learning to please her and then asked how he could get her, she'd had one of her impulsive moments. She'd spoken to take back the only little bit of control she could have. It was going to happen one way or another, at least this way she could pretend that she was in control of the when – and of the terms; no strings!

  He was talking to her now, but she couldn't process what he was saying. She was too focused on watching his lips move. On the way they curled into that little smile. On what it would be like when they met hers, and how they would feel against her skin... Apparently those lips had just asked a question, because he was looking at her now, waiting for her to speak, expecting an answer.

  “I'm sorry?”

  He smiled, “I asked how the paella was?”

  “Oh. It was wonderful.”

  The waiter had removed their plates.

  “Dessert?” asked Pete.
<
br />   Holly shook her head. “No. You?”

  “I'm saving mine for later.” There went that smile again as he ran his eyes over her.

  “Pete, I..”

  He reached across the table and took her hand in both of his own. The predatory look was gone.

  “It's okay, Sweetheart. We don't have to do this if you don't want to.”

  The warmth from his hands and his eyes spread through her. Whatever hesitation she'd felt, this was only drawing her deeper in. Was that his plan? Trouble was, when he looked at her like that she wanted him to care about her, not just desire her. But that would never happen, she knew that. Gathering her strength, she smiled at him. The sex, at least, was inevitable, so they may as well have fun with it.

  “We don't have to?” She'd meant to tease, but didn't enjoy the struggle on his face. She stroked her finger across the palm of his hand. “We could always try not to, but I believe we'll find we do have to if we're honest about it.” She raised an eyebrow and gave her best temptress smile, or what she hoped looked like one, she'd never tried it before. It worked. The hard lust returned to his eyes.

  “I do value honesty, and I do believe you are right. I also believe it's time to get out of here.” He called for the check.

  “Can I get this?” asked Holly.

  “Please, let me? It really is my pleasure.”

  “Then thank you.” She liked that he hadn't dismissed her out of hand or made anything of the fact that the cost of a dinner like this was nothing to him, but was a big deal for her.

  As they got ready to leave, Alonso called them over to the bar. The place had filled up a little now.

  “Will you stay to have a drink with me?”

  “Thanks,” said Pete, “but it's been a long day and we need to get Holly to bed.” As he spoke, he put his hand at the small of her back and she inhaled sharply.