Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I thought I was too before I met Calliope, but she’s brought something into my life that I was missing. I can’t put my finger on what that is, but I sure as hell know that I like being around her.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Callie
I spot Sean the moment he walks into Tin Anchor.
That’s a feat in itself, considering the fact that the bar is packed for a Wednesday night. Most of that can be attributed to the two tables of women that arrived an hour ago.
It’s obvious that they are celebrating someone’s twenty-first birthday.
My co-worker, Angeline, carded everyone in that group. Once that was all straightened away, they ordered a round of shots and a host of other beverages.
Adding to that, several men in suits wandered in, and a quartet of guys in baseball jerseys and jeans.
I keep my gaze trained on Sean as he approaches the bar.
I’m behind it, preparing a mimosa for one of the women at the birthday table.
“Good evening, Champ.” Sean’s voice sends a shiver straight through me.
I lock eyes with him. “Hey, Saint.”
His lips curve into a crooked smile. “This place is hopping tonight. Word must have got out that the most beautiful bartender in the city is on duty.”
“Charmer,” I quip. “I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”
His gaze drops to the black T-shirt I’m wearing. It’s emblazoned with a small logo that includes the bar’s name. “I felt a little parched and thought about tasting your Tom.”
Despite my best efforts, a grin tugs at the corner of my lips. “There’s an open seat at the end of the bar. I’ll start working on your Tom Collins right away.”
His gaze darts to the vacant stool a few feet from where he’s standing. “I’ll be waiting.”
I look down at the glass in front of me, but I can sense his eyes are still on me as he makes his way to his seat.
It won’t be easy to stay focused on my work knowing he’s sitting a few feet away, but I have to do it.
Our combined tip total is already well into the mid-three figures for tonight, and the bar doesn’t close for another few hours. Angeline and I will both go home with a tidy sum by the end of the night.
An hour later, Sean slides his empty glass toward me. “I was right. Your Tom is better than Rolly’s.”
My left hand darts to the center of my chest. “I’m touched.”
His gaze lingers there, at the spot between my breasts. “I want to touch.”
I laugh that off, even though I want that too. I want to feel his hands on every inch of my body.
From the corner of my eye, I spot Angeline approaching where I’m standing. She calls out a drink order that includes another round for the table of women who just sang a rousing yet off-key rendition of Happy Birthday to a dark-haired woman in a pink dress.
I repeat the order back to her because that’s the only way I’ll remember it.
Before I set off to prepare it, I glance at Sean. “Duty calls.”
“You don’t mind if I hang around until closing time, do you, Champ?”
I was hoping that would happen but certainly didn’t expect it. I imagine there are a million things he could be doing other than watching me prepare drinks.
I’ve only been able to carve out brief moments between orders to talk with him.
“I don’t mind that at all.” I smile.
“Good.” He points at his empty glass. “I’ll get another Tom when you have the time. No rush.”
Before I can respond, he’s sliding a one hundred dollar bill across the bar.
My hand lands on it. “I’ll grab your change.”
“You’ll keep it all.” His gaze darts to Angeline. “I’ll tip her too before the night is over. I know how brutal it is working a shift like this.”
I hold in a laugh. “You don’t.”
“I do,” he insists. “I tended bar in college. It was fucking hard.”
“You were a bartender?” I try to mask the surprise in my voice, but I fail miserably.
“I gave it my all.” He rubs his jaw. “I got fired during my third shift because I was sampling the product too often.”
I nod. “I try to abstain until last call.”
“So you’ll share a couple of shots with me then?” His gaze drops to my chest. “After that, I’ll take you straight home.”
As a blush blooms on my cheeks, I take a step closer to him again and lower my voice. “My home or yours, Saint?”
“Mine.” He bites out between clenched teeth. “You’re coming home with me tonight.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sean
I wrap an arm around Calliope’s waist to tug her body closer to mine.
The soft sound that escapes her when she feels the length of my erection pressed against her ass is almost enough to make me shoot my load inside my pants.