Besides hanging out with my sister, family meal was becoming my favorite part of my day. I didn’t know if it was the baby growing inside me or the delicious food I’d been eating, but today I’d had to use a rubber band to secure my pants. Thank you, Google for the hack. I wasn’t going be able to hide it much longer.
The closest thing the bars I worked for in the past did to “family meal” were samples with the liquor reps. Not that those weren’t fun, but I was very much enjoying sitting down with my new co-workers, breaking bread, joking, laughing, and talking. But my absolute favorite part was that each day a different member of the kitchen staff was in charge of the meal. Each day it had been something completely different on the menu. The only thing I didn’t love about my new job was sitting in the chair beside me in Logan’s cramped office.
“This is bullshit!” It was the end of my first week at Swayed, and if things didn’t change real quick, it might just be my last. Emily told me all about her past run-ins with the sommelier, Marissa. They didn’t like each other, and that was understandable considering they both had a history with Dicklan, but that didn’t have anything to do with me. If it was only personal, I probably could have handled it, but it wasn’t. While I needed this job, I didn’t need the drama. Drama was Marissa’s middle name, and Logan told me when I started he didn’t do drama either, so it surprised me he put up with her shit. Logan needed to check her before I did. Think of the baby Libby.
“Nice language, but we finally agree on something.” Marissa seethed. She was right, I should start watching my mouth, or my baby’s first word was likely to start with an f and end with a k. When Logan offered me the job, I quickly learned Swayed was owed by Declan Hayes. That explained how my sister knew Logan and how she had no problem getting us a table even though we ended up just eating in the bar. The beauty of the ownership was that thanks to being under the umbrella of Declan’s family’s larger company, Hayes Investment Properties, I received health benefits starting day one. My first prenatal appointment was next week. I’d also learned that besides the restaurant, Declan also owned a business named Snattered Imports. If he hadn’t broken my sister’s heart, I probably would have liked the guy. I mean come on, Snattered was slang for drunk, and the company brokered wine from small wineries all over. It’s hilarious when you think about it. My guess was he also had something to do with the name Swayed. Anyway, because of Snattered, Swayed had a wine list like no other in the city. Hence the need for my arch nemesis and head “wine girl” Marissa. We’d been butting heads since my first day.
“Ladies,” Logan slammed his inked hands down on his desk. I longed to trace each of the intricate designs with my tongue. I wanted to know what other ink was hidden by his sexy as fuck black chef’s jacket. He was brilliant in the kitchen and a genuinely nice guy. It was crazy because, surprise, surprise, I didn’t usually like nice guys. Something was different about Logan; he gave me the tingles. Everywhere. Maybe it was the tattoos that gave him an edge or the look he got on his face when he didn’t think anyone was watching like he was hiding something. It was the same look I saw every time I looked in the mirror. Maybe I was attracted to the mystery. I’d asked my sister about his past, but she told me I’d have to ask Logan myself. I haven’t because if he tells me his story, he might just want to know mine too. I didn’t know what I was afraid of. Women had babies all the time. That’s not true; I knew exactly what I was scared of. Fucking up my own life was one thing, but what if I screwed up my kid?
“Libby? Are you okay?” Concern etched Logan’s handsome face.
“What?” Shit, I got totally distracted by him. Again. In my first week at Swayed, the tension had grown. Unfortunately, not just between Logan and me. Marissa was about to learn what happened when you messed with the wrong Barnes sister. Despite being a coward and hiding my pregnancy, I was a big girl when it came to dealing with this first-class bitch. The irritated look on Logan’s face now matched the one he gave me yesterday as he backed away from me in the walk-in after nearly kissing me, mumbling something about not crossing the line. I remained in the cooler long after he left. I got it; besides, I wasn't looking for a relationship. Especially not with my boss, been there, done that. No matter how sexy Logan was, my baby was the only thing that mattered now. Tell that to your body. Damn tingles.
“I don’t have time for your little drink girl.” So, I guess she did know about me calling her “wine girl.” At least I wasn’t the booze bitch. I realized some people didn’t like me. Oh well, I was an acquired taste. Taste? How would Logan taste? He looked so yummy. I couldn’t help but look at Logan’s mouth while Marissa continued her rant. It was nothing I hadn’t already heard. She’d been griping all week. Logan had a small scar on his bottom lip. Like his tattoo’s I wanted to trace it with my fingers and my tongue. I wondered what he would do with his hands as I explored him. He always seemed to be doing something with them. Would he grasp my arms and draw me closer? Would he put them in my hair? Maybe tug at it while he pillaged my mouth with his tongue? His cock would be hard, and I would be drenched when he slipped one finger inside of me before adding a second. Moan.
“Are you alright Libby? You seem a little flushed.” Logan leaned forward in his chair, his muscle inked arms on full display. Did I just moan out loud? Logan licked the lip I was just fantasizing about, and I nearly whimpered. Again. Oh my god. Daydreaming about a man had never happened to me before. I almost came. He wasn’t even touching me, and I wasn’t touching myself. Frickin’ hormones. What would he have done? Would he have kissed me like I wanted him to in the walk-in? Would he have pushed me away and reminded the entire staff at the next family meal about the company dating policy. Next, to the information about the health plan, it was the one policy I could recite word for word. Section four paragraph two.
Hayes Investments does not support nor condone workplace relationships except between a supervisor and their subordinate. This will not be tolerated and will lead to the immediate dismissal of both parties. Any employees engaging in a consensual relationship with a co-worker should report it immediately to their supervisors. All employees are reminded that this is a place of employment and professional conduct is to be maintained at all times.
Logan was my boss. It was a “line” neither one of us would cross. I just needed to get new batteries for my Lelo.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Marissa tossed up her hands before standing from her chair and placing her hands on her hips. “First your sister.” Her tone was accusing.
“Marissa,” Logan warned firmly.
“Now you.” If looks could kill, I’d be dead. But in all fairness, she would be too.
“That’s enough.” I knew his menacing tone, and heated glare shouldn’t turn me on more than I already was, but they did. Fuck, he was even hotter when he was mad. It brought out the bad boy he tried so hard to keep hidden. Fuck. That line kept getting harder and harder not to just hop right over. Not looking before you leaped was what got you knocked up. Don’t screw this up too.
“How was your day?” Emily asked, seeing her working in the kitchen reminded me of our grandmother. I’d just got off work, it was after midnight, and I was sitting in the Mama M’s kitchen watching my sister work. She seemed like she was doing better. She was wearing clean clothes, and her hair was pulled into a sleek low pony. Emily’s current state of dress was miles away from the messy knot on the top of her head she was wearing paired with what I can only assume were Dicklan’s t-shirts when I first arrived. I’d like to think I had something to do with it, but the more she talked about the woman she met today, the more I thought it had nothing to do with me. Her name was Willow. She was a military wife with a young girl named, Fay who wanted to send her daddy who was deployed, “hugs” from home. My sister had the biggest heart I’d ever known. I knew the minute she started talking about them that she would do whatever she could to help the little girls wish come true. I just hoped she didn’t get hurt again in the process. My sister may have been book smart, but I worried about people taking advantage of her generosity, my case in point being “Hope.” I didn’t even want to think about the cluster fuck of that situation. Needless to say; the truth came out, it always does. She took off back to Nashville, and Matt went running after her. Shocker.
“Just be careful. I don’t want anyone taking advantage of you and your kindness.”
“You never told me how your day was.” No, I didn’t. “Did you have your meeting with Logan and Marissa?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the sneer Emily wore every time she said wine girls name. It cracked me up. So much in fact that I’d made it into a game of sorts. It’s called get her to say her name. What? I was easily amused. If I weren't prego, it would be a great drinking game.
“Logan and who?” I asked not so innocently.
“I’m on to you, you know.” She pointed at me with a batter coated spatula. Great, something else I wanted to lick. What the hell was wrong with me?
“You’re no fun.” I pouted as Emily eased back to work on her muffins. “You need to find a replacement helper.” The way Hope took off left her high and dry.
“I know. In fact, Willow told me she might know the perfect person. He’s a veteran who was injured in the line of duty.” For fuck’s sake, she just met Willow. “Don’t give me that look Libby.” Jesus, I guess I couldn’t hide anything from my twin sister, except for the fact I was pregnant. “Now stop avoiding my question and tell me what happened with Marissa.” There was the look again. It never failed, and I couldn’t help but laugh, but she threatened me with her spatula again, and I filled her in.
“She started with that first your sister, now you shit.”
“She did?”
“Yeah, but Logan wasn’t having any of it.” I almost had to fan myself as I remembered how hot he looked. Dayum!
“That’s good.” I could tell Emily wanted to say something about my reaction to just talking about my boss, but she knew better. We’d argued about it every day since the night I met him.
“Logan agreed I could serve glasses of wine at the bar without the assistance of the “wine girl.” It’s a step in the right direction.” It was rather ridiculous I couldn’t serve wine by the glass in the bar without the assistance of a sommelier. Who came up with that idea in the first place? I got it, we had a massive wine list, but I wouldn’t be treated like a second-class citizen because I didn’t know the exact difference between a 2014 Pinot from the Applegate Valley Oregon region and the 2013 from Valle de Colchagua in Chile. When someone asked for a glass of Pinot, did they care if it was “a rich, ruby red wine with a touch of violet and great aromatic complexity” or “a bold taste, packed with a punch of berries with a hint of tobacco mixed harmoniously.” The answer was now and would forever be, fuck no. Sometimes you just wanted a good glass of wine. Add some delicious food and good company, and you were set to go. Besides, Marissa may have known vino, but I knew my spirits. Ask me about bourbon, and I could tell you whatever you want to know. Marissa didn’t even know the difference between traditional, high-rye, and high-wheat. She probably didn’t even know the difference between whiskey and bourbon.
“I was doing some cost analysis on wine versus spirits in restaurants. I think I’ll share my findings with Logan.” Have I mentioned how much I loved my brilliant sibling?
I’d tried everything, and I still couldn’t get Libby off my mind. She was my fucking employee. I scoured every surface of my already immaculate kitchen. I sparred with my trainer, Mack, at the gym till he practically cried, uncle. He grumbled it was sweat he was wiping away from the corner of his eye, but I think it was a tear. Baby. Now I was on to my last resort.
“Hey man, I wasn’t expecting you so soon.” Sterling has done all my ink except my very first piece. It’s awful, and he’s wanted to fix it for years. Broken. Damaged. Fit to mark me forever. I never wanted to change it before. Now, it was the only thing I could think of. Sure, I’d been attracted to other women. Even her twin sister for fuck's sake. But something about her called to me like never before. She was a siren. My muse. It felt like the right time to make this change even if a future with Libby seemed impossible. She’s your subordinate. Sterling’s seen his share of clients who chicken out; I never thought he would see that look on me. “What’s up? You look like a virgin about to run out on getting a stupid butterfly.” Prick.
“I’ve been thinking about making some changes.” He was the best, and since it was permanent, only the best would do. I was just there on the anniversary of her death so he could do the next sectional of the memorial piece. Today wasn’t part of the plan. I pointed to my chest, and the asshole grinned from ear to ear.
“About fucking time.”