Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 149209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 746(@200wpm)___ 597(@250wpm)___ 497(@300wpm)
Ash winces, contrite. “Sorry. Bad choice of words. I meant your target.”
“I know. I’m just…” Touchy? Nervous? No, uncomfortable.
The truth is, I’m not loving any of this. Deception goes against my grain. I’m usually honest, even painfully blunt at times. I try to stay friendly about it, but I make my point without mincing words. Hell, I work in oil fields, so that wouldn’t fly anyway. But I can’t handle Bethany Banks as if she’s a fellow oil man. She plays cunning corporate games like an expert. The only way I’ll have a chance to beat her is to convince her I’m no threat at all.
I try to quell my irritation. I have to do this. For myself. For my brothers. But mostly, for Dad. He deserves justice.
When we pull up to the bar, two things hit me right away. First, despite Ash’s protests, it’s a dive. Granted, it’s a dive with charm, but the place looks as if it’s been here at least forty years, most of them without significant upgrades or improvements. Second, every single person appears to be having a great time—except the petite blonde who’s carrying a serving tray, wearing a strappy white bikini top and denim short-shorts, walking in my direction with shoulders squared and strides economical.
Her wide-set eyes, surrounded by a thick fringe of dark lashes, hit me like a sucker punch of green. Wisps of platinum hair manage to soften the sharp angles of her face, but her full mouth pressing into a severe line shouts a silent keep-away. Her cleavage, however—which looks one-hundred-percent real—lures me closer. I can’t help but gape as, chin raised, she strides past me, heading for the bartender on duty with purpose.
“That’s Bethany Banks?” I whisper to Ash, fighting my instant erection.
He merely sends me an I-told-you-so grin.
Damn. She’s fucking hot. Not just kind of. Not just a little. She’s smokin’. She’s a full-blown, five-alarm, inferno-inducing blaze. As much as I hate to acknowledge that, why lie?
Her pictures did not do her justice. They all made her look like a corporate drone. This woman… Whoa.
I don’t stop to consider all the reasons I shouldn’t. I turn and watch her walk away.
The view from the back is equally stunning. Delicate strands of her pale hair tumble from a loose bun and brush her slender nape. Her intricate bikini top crisscrosses her shoulder blades and wraps around her narrow rib cage, the white fabric emphasizing the faintly peachy glow of her skin. Her hips, wrapped snugly in well-worn denim, flare below her tiny waist and sway enticingly with every step.
“Put your tongue back in your mouth if you’re not going to seduce her,” Ash whispers in my ear.
I rip my gaze from her to glare at him. But why bite his head off when he’s right?
“Yeah. I just…” I blow out a breath. “You warned me.”
“And you didn’t believe me. We need to get you laid.”
I suspect Ash is right…but suddenly I’m wondering who the hell will divert my attention when Bethany so thoroughly snagged it. She’s the enemy…and my dick doesn’t care.
“Why don’t you show me the ropes for now?” I suggest.
We head to the back and meet Andy, the manager. He’s nice enough. My guess is that he runs this bar because his real passion is surfing and this pays the bills.
“Glad to have you on board. We always need seasonal help around the holidays, and I’m expecting New Year’s to be a zoo. How long can you stay?”
“A couple of weeks. I’m flexible.” Not really, but I have to be.
“Awesome. Glad you were able to start today. Terry is going home sick,” he says of the bartender on duty now. “He claims he’s getting the flu. I’m hoping he’s just hungover. I’ll let Ash give you the quick tour since you’re buddies and he’s the best.”
“Thanks for hiring me on short notice.” I hold out my hand. “I’ll work hard.”
And I will. I hate half-assing anything, and bartending is usually fun.
“Holler if you have any more questions Ash can’t answer.” He nods dismissively and turns back to a stack of papers on his desk, so we head for the door. “Oh, hey. Wait.”
We turn to face him again.
“What’s up?” Ash asks.
“Can one of you keep an eye on Beth? She’s getting hit on a lot, which I told her to expect. But one creepy guy who was here last night is here again today. He seems awfully determined.”
“The one in the loud Hawaiian shirt with the matching personality?” my buddy asks.
“That one. He parked his ass in her station as soon as we opened. He’s been messing with her ever since.”
“I’ll take care of it,” I chime in.
First, when I bartended on the side in the past, I saw a lot of the girls struggle with dirtbags who refused to understand that no means no. Second, coming to her rescue will be a great way to meet Bethany and start gaining her trust. I refuse to think about how excited my libido is to spend time with her.