Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Still, I kept a smile on my face because my tips depended on it. Being able to smile through the shit was a skill honed at the hands and cock of dear old dad and his filthy fucking friends. I’d be sure to send a thanks to him, hopefully down to the bowels of hell.
“Waitress, I’m still waitin’ on my ribeye!”
I didn’t need to turn to know who was barking orders at me from across the pub. Chase, a high-tipping regular. I smiled and gave a wave to let him know I was aware of his order. He’d only placed it like five minutes ago.
“Comin’ up, Chase.” I headed into the kitchen and ran smack into Jasper.
His scowling face did nothing to deter the flames that licked at the back of my neck, the liquid heat that dampened my panties. “Don’t keep the customers waiting,” he growled at me.
“I’m not.”
He folded his arms and arched a dark brow at me as if he didn’t believe me. “Chase’s ribeye?”
“Was put in five minutes ago, and last I checked, it took longer than five minutes to grill up a two-inch-thick ribeye.”
Instead of continuing to argue when I wasn’t in the mood, I turned to the chef. “Hey Sean, how’s that ribeye coming along?”
He grunted at the question as I knew he would. “Six minutes on each side for rare. You know that.”
“I do,” I said with a satisfied smile aimed at Jasper. I didn’t wait for another sign of victory. I grabbed a nachos platter, three burger plates, and a bowl of colcannon and left the kitchen.
I ran nonstop until the last customer staggered out of Midnight Mass and into a car idling at the curb. Thank fucking shit, this night was finally over. That was the only thought in my mind as back-to-back yawns made my jaws crack. A quick look at the time, and I knew I could finish up in fifteen minutes and be curled up in my bed in thirty.
A girl had to have goals.
Seventeen minutes later, I had my purse slung over my shoulder, my sneakers back on my feet, and my denim jacket tied around my waist as I strode out into the parking lot where Hulu waited in the first spot for me. His car was parked beside Jasper’s beautiful all-white Maybach with white leather interior.
I was so focused on that gleaming white beacon of wealth and luxury that I didn’t notice the giant beast of a man headed straight for me.
The sight of Bobby, one of my sometimes fuck buddies and a full-time Marine, brought me up short. He flashed that wicked dimpled smile and licked his lips, a move that usually reminded me of his tongue flicking over my clit. But, tonight, he blocked my path forward.
“Hey there, sweet thang.”
I groaned and with no energy to stop myself, rolled my eyes too. “Not now, Bobby. I’m not feeling well, and I’m exhausted.”
“But, babe,” he pleaded, “I came all this way just for you. Six months is a long damn time to go without seeing my best girl.”
“Your Vegas girl, you mean, don’t you?” He blushed at being caught, but we didn’t have a normal relationship. He didn’t owe me shit, and I owed him the same, but I was too tired to play the game.
“Look, Bobby, I’m glad you made it back from your last mission safe and sound, but I feel like shit right now. Why don’t you head over to Emerald Isle or Black Stallion and enjoy your leave because I’m no fun tonight.”
And I probably wouldn’t be for a long while, at least nine months, maybe eighteen years.
“Bummer,” he said as his massive shoulders fell in disappointment. “Anything I can say to change your mind?”
Hulu was already out of the driver’s seat and headed in our direction, murder in his dark eyes when I shook my head. “You know, if I could power through it for anyone, it would be you, honey.”
“I know, babe. I just hate to see you feeling like shit.” He stepped in close and brushed a kiss against my cheek. “I’ll check in with you in a few days. Take care, yeah?”
I nodded and let out a long, slow sigh. Why couldn’t I have fallen for a guy like Bobby? He was a big oaf of a man, just like Jasper. He was beautiful and deadly, but he was a nice guy, a good guy who probably wouldn’t leave me heartbroken.
“You too. And I am delighted to see you back on American soil.”
“Same, babe.” With a kiss on my forehead, Bobby’s long legs ate up the path to his bright orange truck. He jumped inside the machine with ease, a double tap on the horn signaling his departure as I made my way to Hulu, feeling even more exhausted after that short exchange.