I didn’t correct her assumption because she was right. Zayne had opened the restaurant as a way for me to forget about trying to remember my past. I’d worked hard to make it a success and we’d all become more like a family than boss and employee relationships. I hardly went out unless Zayne was with me. I was something of a—
“You’re a recluse,” Leah finished my thoughts. “Then again.” She glanced at Tia, who nodded. “While you’re cheeky as shit with the men that visit here, I don’t think you’d be able to take on Mr. Shaw. The man is a force unto himself.” She grinned.
“I second that.” Tia wiggled her brows.
I rolled my eyes. “Is that a challenge?”
They both nodded with a laugh. “Twenty bucks says you can’t.” Leah’s usual teasing smirk was back in place.
“Did you two plan this shit?” I huffed. They shook their heads. “I’d swear you’re both more worried about my pussy than I care to imagine why.” They chuckled like the sexual deviants they were.
“We just wanted to see how game you are.” Tia gave me a cheeky smile. “You know, to take on that handsome hunk.” She winked.
“Fine,” I muttered, shocking myself and earning a hyped ‘yes’ from them. “And what’s the prize if I win.” Not that it mattered since I didn’t intend caving to their taunts.
“Depends on what you plan to do?” Leah eyed me with open suspicion, not trusting I’d keep my end of the challenging.
I made a show of wiping an already clean countertop, giving myself a few seconds to collect the thoughts buzzing around in my head. “Talk to him,” I mumbled, hoping they’d let it go.
They both looked at each other. “Nope,” they said in unison. So much for that notion of escaping whatever they planned.
“A kiss to start with,” Tia suggested.
My mouth dropped in surprise and my heart hammered at the thought of kissing those thick, full lips. I folded my arms, hoping to come across as not completely sold on the idea. “Can’t I start with a chat and progress from there?” I still wasn’t blurry on whether I’d kissed him the night he saved me. They shook their heads.
“A kiss and we do the dishes for a month?” Leah said.
“Really? That’s the best you can come up with,” I retorted with a laugh. “How does that help me since we do employ busboys, remember.”
They both looked at me, their expressions contemplative. “Fine, we’ll owe you, whatever it is and whenever you want to collect,” Tia mumbled.
I laughed. Seeing as I was very simplistic in my needs and Zayne provided me with everything I needed, I figured that would stump them. “Fine. You can both leave.”
“We’ll wait until he leaves,” Leah offered.
Shaking my head, I pointed to the clock. “It’s late and your rides have been waiting for almost thirty minutes. Go.”
“Want him all to yourself, don’t you?” Tia chuckled. When I gaped at her, she added, “just don’t mess up the table settings, he does look like a man who fucks hard.”
“What the...seriously—” I blabbered. I could feel my cheeks burning. “Get out.” I pointed to the door.
They both snorted with laughter like a bunch of schoolgirls. “Be careful, babe,” Tia called over her shoulder as they traipsed out the door.
“I can handle him,” I retorted.
What I didn’t tell them was that I aimed to give the man a piece of my mind. Who the hell did he think he was? Taking liberties we normally didn’t afford our regulars. I already had a few choice words lined up. Locking the rear door behind Leah, I headed for the internal door, pushed through and stopped short. Whatever words I intended hurling were abruptly replaced with, “holy hell,” under my breath. I fought the urge to retract my defiance and call the girls back. I didn’t want to be alone with that man for the simple reason that he turned me into a depraved ball of sexual energy, and I had no idea how to handle him.
Chin up, girl.
I hadn’t been to the dining area all day and admittedly, the vision in front of me, would rival any of the lip-smacking dishes I could prepare. Mouthwatering in black pants, a black button-down open at the chest and legs crossed at the ankles, Trent leaned against the bar. His attention riveted on his phone, he didn’t notice me. I took a moment to admire his tall build. The rolled-up sleeves not only showcased tattooed forearms, but deeply corded veins enhanced by a large watch on the one hand and thick leather bands on the other. Strangely, I found myself salivating at the thought of what he’d taste like.
Freaking hell!
While I hadn’t lavished him with this much attention at the doctor’s rooms, I couldn’t understand my reaction to him. Granted he was attractive, but we had a lot of good-looking patrons. Perhaps it was his unerring confidence that made the difference He carried himself like a man that owned the world and those were few and far between. Still, there was just something about him and I had yet to find out what.
He looked up, staring, as though he sensed my inner debacle. His brow shot up before those thick full lips parted in a slow smile. The breath left my body on a rushed exhale. Oh, my God. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear even my ovaries yelled ‘fuck me.’Jesus, would you get a grip.He made chocolate glazed strawberries look bland and those were my favorite.
“We’re closed.” I cursed at the croak and cleared my throat. “You need to leave.”
