Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Besides, no one can shove James. He's built like a damn tank, and that’s part of the problem. When one of my taps ran out, he said he’d go change the keg out for me. I was in the middle of making a round of drinks and shots. I guess he missed me shaking my head no. I had planned on changing the tank myself once I finished up that round of drinks. But when I went in the back, I found James trying to do it himself.
The man really has no idea how strong he is. It’s why I can’t ever let him behind the bar. He breaks glasses and bottles so easily. Either with his hands or by slamming them down too hard. He’s the bouncer or security. It’s what I hired him to do eight months ago after I lost my father suddenly. This was originally my dad’s bar. Once he passed, I inherited it. I grew up in this place, but I knew I needed some muscle because it can get rough at times. It’s a dive bar. My dad was good at keeping people in line. Me, not so much. It’s hard to get in someone's face when you’re my size.
I fix the keg, stopping the spray. “Sorry.” James drops his head. He’s a giant-ass teddy bear of a man I can’t stay mad at. He doesn’t mean any harm. He just underestimates his size and strength sometimes.
“It’s fine.” I’m going to have to run the line to clear out all the heads, but it is what it is. If I’ve learned anything since losing my dad, it’s that life happens. You can’t control everything. You can either cry about it or you can roll with it. No matter what, life goes on. What’s done is done.
“I’ll clean this up. You should ah, change.” James looks anywhere but at me. I glance down to see my white T-shirt with the bar's green logo Get Lucky is soaked.
“Shit.” I pull my shirt away from my body so my nipples aren’t on full display. I have a bra on but a thin one. “I’ll be back.” I rush out the back to go find a change of clothes.
I have to cut back through the bar to get to the other side where there is a small office and kitchen that makes a handful of food items. It’s nothing fancy, but my apartment with fresh clothes is above the bar. We aren’t packed tonight, so I make a straight cut toward the back door. Suddenly the bathroom door swings open, and a man steps out. I’m not fast enough to stop myself from colliding with him.
“Sorry!” I squeak when I run into him. I brace myself, knowing I’m going to fall backwards because whoever I just ran into is like a freaking wall. I would have guessed it to be James, but he’s still in the keg room.
“Fuck,” the man grunts. He grabs my shoulders, pulling me back into him, stopping me from falling backwards.
“Sorry, sorry,” I repeat. My dad named me Clover because he said I was lucky. I’m starting to think he took all my luck with him.
“How about you just watch where you’re going?” the deep voice says. I have to drop my head all the way back to stare up into brown honey-colored eyes. I’ve never seen anything like them in my life. Our eyes stay locked for a long moment. It’s not only his eyes that are stunning but the man himself is gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more handsome. He probably thinks I ran into him on purpose.
“I said I was sorry. Your first drink is on me. Or did you already have one? If so, I’ll cover the next.” I try to step back, but he doesn’t let me go.
“You’re wet.” Heat rushes my face. My mind goes where it shouldn’t because that is so not what he means. “Did I miss the wet T-shirt contest or something?” I scrunch my nose.
“We don’t do that here. The bar might be called Get Lucky, but if you really want to get lucky you should check out Shady Lady. It’s three miles that way.” I point my thumb behind me in the direction of the strip club.
“It was a joke.” Now he’s the one who seems flustered. “I came here for a beer.”
“The hell!” I hear James shout from behind me.
“Let go.” I wiggle backwards. The man actually does as I ask. “James, I’m fine. I ran into him.” I glance over my shoulder at James, who is glaring at the man. The word Security written in bold white letters on his black shirt makes it clear who he is.
“I don’t push myself on women.” The handsome man holds his hands up.