Listening to them talk about me—the way they thought I would run this bar into the ground—pissed me the fuck off. Pompous asshole? Who me? They didn’t know what the fuck they were talking about.

I wasn’t born yesterday and I worked hard for everything I had. There was no silver spoon in my mouth when I was born, and I never failed at anything I ever set out to do before in my whole goddamn life—and that was a fact.

I tugged at my tie as the heat coursing through my agitated veins compounded.

The previous owner told me business was good, and even showed me his books. Glancing around at the empty bar area, I questioned if he fudged the numbers, somehow. If we continued to do business like this, The Bearded Goat would be out of business before I could run it.

All in all, the staff was efficient, nothing I couldn’t work with. There were even a few who I would consider for management. They worked hard and I appreciated it.

But, this Penny Marks, now standing around twiddling her thumbs, doing nothing, tested my patience. I stood behind her as she polished a liquor bottle, and my anger heightened.

“Would you please clean?” I asked, stooping to her childish level.

She held up the bottle she was wiping, glancing at me through the large mirror behind the bar. “I am cleaning, Mr. Sullivan,” she said in an overly exaggerated sarcastic voice. Irritation rose inside of me. She couldn’t even take a second to turn around to face me.

“Cut the crap, Penny.” I cracked my knuckles in annoyance as my eyes tightened. “You’re polishing a bottle.”

She spun around with wide eyes to face me. Her breathing picked up and her cheeks reddened with either embarrassment or anger—at this point I didn’t care which.

“Excuse me, sir. The bottles get dirty when we pour drinks. If we don’t polish the bottles then we’ll get fruit flies. Do you want flies?”

“Of course I don’t want flies.” I leaned back against the bar. “Did you have a nice chat with Fiona?”

Her mouth hung open and the sassy expression was replaced with guilt. “Um, I can explain,” she said.

“Save it, Penny. Let me explain something to you. Do your job, show up on time, and work hard and maybe in a year we can discuss the management thing again.”

“A year? You’re kidding right?”

I cracked a smile. “Sure, of course I am. I would never say a year. Maybe two.”

“Oh ha ha very funny, Mr. Sullivan.”

“You can call me Theo, as for the management position, try not to talk bad about me anymore.”

“Theo, I didn’t mean to be…”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me. I never fail at anything I set my mind to. You best be remembering that.”

“Oh I remember things quite vividly.” Her eyes flashed to mine, and a hazy spark of recognition flickered and extinguished. I shook my head. I never saw her before; I was sure of it.

She was pretty the way her bangs fell right above her eyebrows. And this type of thought would have me out of business in a heartbeat. So, I would not be tempted.

I would keep her at arm’s length and not let myself be attracted to her. She was an employee and not a very good one.

“Ok, get back to work,” I said.

She shot me a look, and I grinned, leaning in close to her ear. “Please.” Big mistake, my cock pulsed. She brushed a hand across her cheek as she swiped away a strand of hair, and I wanted nothing more than to feel the softness of her skin. Her body trembled slightly and I stepped away.

“Yes sir,” she breathed.

“Also, next time you decide to open your mouth,” That pretty little mouth, “and trash talk me,” You’d blush at how filthy I talk, “or call me an asshole...” You’ll get an ass spanking. I faltered, unable to focus my thoughts as she stared at me curiously. What the fuck was happening? My dick throbbed. “Just remember, I’m your boss, and I’m not going anywhere. Decide if you can handle it.”

She took in a deep breath as her expression hardened. “I won’t quit,” she said after a moment of silence.

“Fine.” Grabbing a black server tray to hide my growing erection, I stalked away and left her there.

“Oh, and Theo,” she called after me.

God, would she stop talking already? The last thing I needed her to see was the massive hard on I sported in my trousers.

I stopped dead in my tracks and glanced over my shoulder. “Yeah?”

“If you’re interested, they have a ton of books on running a bar. It may come in handy.” Her underhanded comment, disguised as helpful, grated on every nerve in my body and my jaw tensed.

I shook my head. “Get back to work,” I retorted through clenched teeth.

She smiled wide. “Sure thing, boss.”

I stormed out of the bar area and into the tiny office off of the kitchen.

I couldn’t even talk to this girl for five minutes without my anger boiling over and my cock getting hard.

Who the hell did she think she was? Queen bartender? Give me a fucking break.

By evening, I made it home to my two-bedroom condo. The first week of owning a bar didn’t go how I envisioned. My general manager quit, and I had a bartender who’d been given a glowing recommendation for management, but required a major attitude adjustment, which only turned me on more. All week long Penny continually shot me a perplexed stare every time I voiced an opinion or idea. There were two customers in the bar this afternoon, how difficult was it to stop and say goodbye as they left? Not fucking hard to me.

My phone pinged with an incoming call and I glanced at the caller ID. Fuck, Blair. What did she want?

I debated on ignoring the call, but after the third ring, I answered.

“What?” I huffed into the phone.

“Hello, Mr. Moody. What’s got your panties in a bunch?”

“What do you want, Blair?” I rubbed a hand across my forehead. Her games were the last thing I wanted at the moment. Cracking open a beer and putting this mess of a day behind me were the only things appealing to me right now.

“You’re still coming this weekend to grab Lucy, correct?”

“Why would you think I wouldn’t be?” I asked, reaching in the fridge for a beer.

“I’m just checking.”

“Then I’ll be there. Haven’t missed a time yet.”

“Alright then,” she huffed. “See you soon.” She hung up without saying goodbye, and I didn’t blame her. My attitude was borderline pure asshole and instead of taking my frustration out on the person who caused it, Penny Marks, Blair felt the brunt force of it.

I tossed my phone down on the black granite countertop and clasped my hands behind my head. What a fucking mess. It was now clear, the previous owner of the Bearded Goat fucking lied and I fell for it. Also, the pressing issue of my employees thinking I didn’t know what I was doing created havoc on my system.

I put the beer back in the fridge, unopened, and made my way down the hallway. Inside the bathroom I grasped the marble sink with both hands and leaned over, staring into the mirror. A look of defeat stared back at me. Fuck that. I wasn’t going to give up. Pushing off the counter, I removed my clothes.

I turned the shower on and stepped inside the glass stall, the hot water relaxed me instantly.

My cock grew heavy as I tugged it firm. I needed to come. I’d wanted to jerk off since the second I laid eyes on Penny at the bar. Her smile intoxicated me, and her eyes were like a well- worn penny casting her hatred at me. Her tight ass and tanned slender legs did things to me, wicked things. Things I should bury deep away in the bottom of my mind. Mostly though, it was the freckles, a splattering of a few light brown freckles which crossed over the bridge of her nose. I shouldn’t jerk off to her—it was so fucking wrong.

Instead, I tried my damndest to conjure up my silver moon goddess from months prior.

“Fuck,” I said on a groan, my balls heavy with lust. I tried to remember the way I slammed into her from behind and how she felt as I took her to new heights. Her pussy wet just for me.

How would Penny’s wet pussy feel? No, stop thinking about her, think about the goddess.

I fixated back to the beach, the moon and stars shining down on us as I fucked the gorgeous woman who haunted my dreams at night.

I stroked along my cock remembering the way her skin tasted as I trailed my tongue along her neck. I pumped harder—fuck I wanted her again.

“Oh, God.” My panting picked up as I braced a hand against the wall.

My mind played tricks on me as Penny’s golden hair sprang through my consciousness and I clutched my cock tighter. Stroking my dick, which ached for one moment with her, down to my balls, I tried to push away the thoughts of Penny. Get out of my head.

I grunted, loudly. The sound echoed off the tile. I groaned not able to fight my mind any longer against her.

The hot water cascaded over me as images of Penny in her bright pink tank crashed through my mind.

Pressing my hand harder on the shower tiles my cock throbbed.

Closing my eyes, fantasies of Penny naked, slowly exhaling and panting from arousal were taking over. I’d take a handful of her hair slick from the wetness of the water, wanting control, and kneel her before me. Her shining eyes would gaze up to mine—captivating and hungry. God, she’d be perfect below me, taking my cock in her sweet, open mouth.

“Damn,” I moaned.

My arm flexed as I tightened my hold. Pumping, throbbing, and needing her more than I wanted to admit.

I squeezed my eyes shut, fucking my hand, and enjoying every moment of it.

I grunted as I picked up speed. Her head bobbing in between my legs played in my mind like a slideshow.

My arm grew weak trying to hold myself up, the hot water scalding my skin, my hand pumping vigorously as I imagined Penny’s sweet lips sucking me off.

What would she feel like? I was so close to coming I couldn’t stop the rapid images flashing behind my closed lids. Big, round tits. Sucking them in my mouth. Biting her nipples. She was so fucking hot.

As I grew closer, my thoughts shifted as I imagined slamming her against the tile and fucking her hot, wet cunt.

My breathing was heavy and my body was in agony from not having her here, her tight pussy wrapped around me, her body begging for my touch. The muscles in my thighs tightened as soon as I felt the first wave of my orgasm rip through me. Fuck, I wanted her.

I jerked my hand faster as I came hard, my chest heaving from the force of it.

Damn. I wanted her the hell out of my bar and my head.

I needed to make a list. Lists always made me feel better. I toweled off and slipped on a pair of black gym shorts.

Not bothering with a shirt, I made my way into my bedroom. After grabbing a pen and spiral notebook from the drawer of the nightstand, I settled into bed and flipped on my Boondock Saints night lamp and started writing.

Reasons To Fire Penny

I paused briefly before furiously crossing through the line when I thought about the way they did in fact like her. Can’t fire her for that. Shaking my head, tapping my pen on the notebook, I narrowed my eyes. Back to the list.

Ok, this list wasn’t working out well. I wasn’t finding any real reasons. I thought long and hard for anything which would warrant firing her.

Chewing on the top of my pen, I stared at the word Late scribbled on the paper. It really was a one-time thing, and she’d been on time since then. Actually, she was usually early. It remained on the list anyways. Maybe I should make a list about what to do to get rid of her. I crumbled the paper and tossed it to the floor.

No, I guess I couldn’t outright fire her. It would probably cause more problems for me. Think.

Yeah, I’d ride her ass hard. Ok, thoughts like these weren’t helping. They got me in this mess. What could I do to get rid of her? Maybe a list of what to do to stop thinking about her would help.

Did they have a surgery to remove freckles? I could always add it to the list to find out. Either way Operation Forget Freckles was now underway.

What could I do to stop thinking about her? She was slowly creeping in. I clutched the pen tighter in my hand as I freed my mind and started writing.

Fuck, this list was pointless. I yanked the paper from the spiral notebook and crushed it into my fists. Throwing it into the air, I cursed again.

I rubbed my eyes as I threw the notebook and pen across the room.

Flicking off the lamp, I tossed a while until sleep finally pulled me under.

* * *

When I entered the bar, bright and early, I found Penny behind the bar, leaning over into the beer cooler with her ass in the air. Rooted to the spot, my eyes lingered longer than they should have.

Her heart-shaped ass begged to be smacked by my flat palm. Yes, exactly what she needed, a good ass spanking. Unable to look away, I watched as she stretched her tight body upright before she turned and saw me gaping at her.

“Oh, Theo. I didn’t see you there.”

“Right,” I clipped. “How could you with your ass in my face?”

She took in a sharp gasp of air before a scarlet stain spread across her chest.

“Why don’t you bend at the knees from now on, Penny.” Fuck. A vision of her kneeling in front of me raced through my mind.

Her pouty lips pressed into a thin line before she turned, setting the Samuel Adams bottles on the glossy, oak bar. “Maybe you should post a sign,” she muttered.

“And where should I post this sign? On your ass that’s always in my face?”

“Well, you’d be the only one reading it since you seem to always be staring at it.”

“Me, stare at your ass? No, not likely. It’s common knowledge you bend from the knees to pick something up.”

“Like this?” She lowered to the ground, bending her knees in a sexy squat before me and I couldn’t think straight as she slowly rose up from it.

We were standing inches apart, and my body buzzed with excitement. “I’m sure that’s not what they intended when they made that rule.”

She propped a hip against the wash sink and crossed her arms. “No? And just what did they intend?”

“To not stick your ass in people’s faces, I presume.”

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.” Her eyes grew wide in mock horror. “Call the back police, there’s an ass in my face. Hey, look officer, there’s an ass right there,” she said, pointing directly at me.

I leaned in closer. “You think you’re so fucking smart, don’t you?”

“Maybe a little.”

“We’ll see how smart you are when your back’s broken.”

She laughed and the sound was like nails on a chalkboard. A really fucking sexy chalkboard. “Thanks, Theo, for always watching out for my backside.”

“Ok, enough sass from you. Let’s get to work.”

“Sure thing, boss.” She saluted me.

A fucking salute. My frustration with her grew as she smiled sweetly which was in complete contrast to her sour attitude.

“Today you’ll be showing me exactly what it is you do here.”

My plan was to watch her closely and find a reason to get rid of her.

After an hour of her showing me all the liquors and how to pour a beer from the tap, I realized there was more to bartending than I previously believed.

A group of women entered the bar and seated themselves right before me. Confidence coursed through my veins. I felt more in my element. Maybe I didn’t know how to pour a drink, but I sure knew how to take care of the ladies. I made my way over to the group of twenty-something year olds dressed in their beach wear and leaned an arm against the bar.

“Can I help you ladies?” I gave them a lazy grin and they giggled. There were five women in all, and each one ordered a Cosmopolitan.

“Penny, five Cosmos,” I called over my shoulder.

A moment later, Penny slammed a shaker, a bottle of vodka, triple sec, and some cranberry juice in front of me. “Here you go. Have fun.” She gave me a slight smile, which didn’t reach her eyes, and stalked off to the opposite end of the bar

Fuck. I can fake this shit.

I scooped some ice into the stainless steel shaker and poured the vodka in first. I poured for a while then, added the triple sec and cranberry juice. Easy. I topped the shaker and shook like I’d seen in the movies.

Grabbing a few martini glasses, the ones I always saw women in the clubs drink their cosmos from, I lined them on the bar and poured away. Two drinks down. I repeated the process until all five glasses were filled.

Owned that shit.

The ladies laughed as I slid over their drinks, winking to each one.

The brunette took a sip and turned her nose up as she tried to swallow it down.

“Is this a Cosmo?” she asked as she set the drink along the bar.

The other girls all took a sip with the same reaction as I tugged at the back of my neck with my hand. “What’s wrong, ladies?”

“Sorry, it doesn’t taste right.”

I examined the drinks and they were fucking pink. What did I do wrong? “Penny,” I said over my shoulder. “Can you come make the Cosmos for these lovely women?”

I emptied the five drinks into the sink as Penny stomped over.

“Fine, Boss,” she said through clamped teeth and a fake smile. She made the drinks like a pro, all while trying to show me the process.

When the new drinks were finished, I slid them over to the group of chicks.

“Thank you. What’s your name? Are you new here?” one of the girls asked.

“Yep, and you can come back to see me anytime.” I glanced at Penny as I said the next line. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

After telling them all my name, I joked and laughed with them, trying my best to keep them entertained while I left Penny to handle the rest of the bar.

For a Tuesday afternoon we weren’t slammed, but Penny appeared busy as she shot me her evil glare every so often. I laughed to myself—yeah suck it up.