I’M TRYING MY BEST TO keep my shit together now that Alexander is back from his business trip, but I’m feeling especially on edge today.
He warned me to keep my hands off his little sister, and even though I technically didn’t lay a finger on her, I gave her probably one of the best orgasms of her life; at least that’s the way it appeared.
Not to mention the fact that after I watched her come for me I went downstairs and jerked my shit, not once, but twice.
I have no doubt his threats were real and that he’d pull one of those knife emojis straight from his damn phone just to cut my heart out if he ever found out I was in her room, let alone what he’d do if he discovered what I did.
It’s Alexander, so I’m sure he could find something worse to do to me.
Then, to top it all off, I got lost in her and almost kissed her, when kissing isn’t something I’m usually into. It’s always seemed too intimate for me.
But when she talks, I can’t stop looking at her damn lips, wanting a taste.
“Boss . . . want anything else from me before I head out for the day?” Ryan is in the middle of slipping back into his shirt as he stops in the doorway of my office.
“Are all the tables clean enough that you’d lick them like you’d lick your girl’s pussy? If not then I need you back downstairs.” I look down at my watch to see that it’s a little past five. His shift ended less than two minutes ago. “And while you’re down there I need you to take drink orders if the guys have more than three people waiting at any time. Think you can handle that?”
He nods and yanks his shirt off over his head, getting back into the required work attire, which isn’t much. “Sure thing.”
“And Ry . . .”
He’s just about to walk away, but stops and pokes his head back into my office. “Yes, sir?”
I grind my jaw at him calling me sir. I don’t know how many times I have to tell the guys not to call me that. “If I catch you serving drinks to Dave, Kyle, Nate or any other name that underage kid comes in here with on his damn ID . . .” I steel my jaw at the thought and slam the paperwork down on my desk. “I’ll fire you on the fucking spot and personally escort you out. Got it?”
He swallows nervously and nods his head, before walking away.
I’ve already given his giant ass two chances and that’s all anyone will ever get from me. It won’t be hard to find a replacement for his incompetent ass.
There’s a stack of at least three hundred applications in the drawer next to me and I’ll go through every single one if I have to in order to find someone that can be trusted.
Releasing a frustrated breath, I spin the chair around to check the monitors. You can only leave these guys unattended for a brief time or else they think they can get away with anything and everything.
Too bad for them I’m not in the mood to let things slide today.
The traffic is beginning to pick up. I sit back and watch the guys for a bit to make sure they’re on their game so I don’t have to strip my shirt off and jump behind the bar to show them how it’s done.
It happens often, but today I hope that it doesn’t, because my mind is all over the damn place right now. I need some time to get my thoughts in check and learn some restraint when it comes to a certain person.
It’s never been hard doing what my best friend has asked of me, until now. If I lose his trust, I could be losing one of the only people I trust, and on top of that, this job.
I’m still not quite where I need to be to open Express, so if I fuck things up with Alexander, I fuck up everything I’ve been working hard for over the last four years.
I switch my view to the outside bar to check on Colby, and that’s when I notice Tegan sitting alone at one of the tables.
She has her laptop all set up and she seems to still be working, completely ignoring everyone around her.
Knowing that she’s here has me not giving a shit if the guys need help or not. I’m going to help no matter what now.
So much for restraint.
Standing up, I exit my office and make my way downstairs, through the crowd of people and out back to where Colby has four women lining up for drinks.
Without wasting time, I unbutton my shirt and strip it off; smiling as whistles and screams come from all around as I join Colby behind the bar.
Even though I jump right into taking orders, I can’t help but to notice Tegan looking my way occasionally, watching me when she thinks I’m not paying attention.
What she doesn’t realize is that I’m always paying attention when it comes to her. It’s kind of become my job.
“Over here, gorgeous!” One of the girls at the front waves her money at me to get my attention. “I’ll take two Martinis and you in my bed.” She winks and leans over the bar to watch me as I reach for two glasses and begin fulfilling her order.
“I think that might cost you more than that twenty you have in your hand.” I look up at the sound of Tegan’s voice. “Micah is expensive when it comes to the bedroom, and last time I had to ask for a refund. Totally wasn’t worth what I paid. Just a heads up.”
My lip quirks into a half grin as the girl’s face drops with disappointment. “You’re telling me a man who looks like that is bad in bed. Well, that’s a dream killer.”
“Tell me about it,” Tegan mumbles. “Biggest disappointment of my life.”
Just to see if Tegan badmouthing me has worked, I set blondie’s drinks down in front of her and give her a charming smile. “Sixteen for the drinks . . .” I lean in closer and whisper. “And five hundred for me in your bed.”
The girl gives me a sympathetic smile and throws down a twenty. “Keep the change you poor, unfortunate soul.”
I arch a brow and watch as she walks away as if she can’t get away from me fast enough.
“You’re welcome . . .” Tegan laughs, clearly amused.
“What makes you so sure that I’m thankful you got rid of her? She was damn sexy and it’s been days since I’ve gotten laid. Ever since you showed up, actually.”
“Are you blaming the fact that your penis hasn’t had any action for oh . . . what . . . five days now, on me?” She reaches for the beer that I slide in front of her. “That’s pathetic, Micah.”
Before I can say anything, she tosses a rolled-up bill at my forehead and disappears through the crowd and back over to the table to pack up her things.
I make the next drink as quickly as possible and escape from behind the bar as soon as I get the chance. I snatch my shirt from my back pocket and slip it on, not bothering to button it up as I rush over to the table she’s at.
“How is my book coming along?”
She gives me an annoyed look and guards her computer, as if I’m going to open it up and start reading her work out loud. “It’s not about you. Trust me on that. My character isn’t a cocky, arrogant asshole who sleeps with a different girl each week.”
“Why not?” Moving in close behind her, I lean into her ear. “You do know that’s what sells, right?”
“I happen to like my character. If I make him into you then there’s a good chance I’ll gag at every scene I write. But thanks for the pointer.”
“Alright. Well, at least tell me this . . .” I move around to the front of her and give her a cocky little smirk when I notice her eyes roaming over my chest as expected. “Does your character get his body from me? Because I’ve been seeing you check it out an awful lot since you’ve been here. I’m pretty sure every inch of it is etched into your mind now. Plus, the picture of me on your phone helps.”
She’s in the middle of taking a drink of her beer, but spits it out all over my neck and chest.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Keeping my eyes on her, I slowly take my shirt off and reach for the glass of water that’s sitting next to her computer and pour it over my chest to clean off. “Did you do that on purpose just to see me wet?”
“Oh my God! You’re so damn full of yourself and it’s sickening. You’re nice for a few minutes then go right back to your cocky self-absorbed self as if you just can’t handle it. You never quit, do you?”
“Honestly, no. I don’t believe in quitting.”
“No. No, he doesn’t.” Alexander’s voice comes from behind me, causing me to take a step back from his little sister before I lose a body part. “It’s part of the reason I’ve trusted him with this place. Don’t give me a reason to change my mind about that.”
I know what he’s getting at without even saying it. And I have a feeling Tegan does too because she tilts back her drink, not stopping for a good minute. “Alright, well, you boys have fun.” She tosses her empty beer into the nearby trash and clutches her laptop to her chest. “I’ve got some promoting to do on this upcoming release and I can’t concentrate now that more people are coming in. See you guys back at the house.”
She barely even offers me a glance as she takes off in a hurry.
That’s probably a good thing, because the last thing we need is Alexander having any more reason to be suspicious of us.
He waits until his sister is gone before he turns to me and crosses his arms. “How was she when I was gone? Any of the assholes here mess with her?”
“Nope,” I lie, because I’m included in one of those assholes. “She was fine, I guess. She spent most of her time writing as usual.” I know I should mention the party to him, but I leave that little detail out. “Are you good here if I take off and head to my place for the night? I’ve got a lot of work to do there still.”
He looks around the place and nods. “Yeah, we can handle it without you, Man.” With a thankful smile he grips my shoulder. “Thanks for always having my back when it comes to this place. I appreciate it more than you know, brother. If you ever need any help getting your place up and running just let me know. Any money of mine is yours if you need it.”
“You know I can’t accept any handouts, Man. I appreciate it, but I’ve gotta work for what I want.”
Alexander and I grew up in two totally different lifestyles. He’s always had anything and everything he wanted, with a family who loves him.
Not me.
My mother abandoned me when I was eight and I spent most of my childhood in and out of foster homes of people who didn’t give a shit whether I came or left.
Everything I have owned since the age of fifteen has been because I earned it myself or at my lowest point, stolen. But those days are far behind me. Have been since I turned sixteen and got my first job. I had no one to take care of me or buy me food or clothes. I was on my own.
It might be easier for someone like him to accept money from others when offered because it’s something he’s familiar with.
“Well, the offer always stands if you change your mind. I just want you to know that you’re basically family, Micah. You’ve had my back since I moved here and I’ll always have yours.”
“I appreciate that too.” I smile and slip my shirt back on. “But I’m less than two months away from having everything I need to open up. I’ve done it all by myself thus far, so I might as well finish it myself.”
Micah nods his head and laughs. “I figured you’d say that.”
“Alright, I’m out then. I have Ryan staying back to clean. Keep him until this place is spotless. He’s working to keep his job because he’s damn close to losing it.”
Alexander just nods as I walk away when some girl comes over to talk, instantly distracting him.
Tonight is going to be a long night at Express, which is probably a good thing. Because I have no idea what will happen if I give myself some free time.
If I’m going to keep my distance from Tegan, then I need to bury myself in as much work as possible and do my best to pretend that I’m not dying to get between her legs . . .