Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
"Perfect! I’ll put you both down for all three activities. See you soon!" She hurried off with the speed of a woman half her age.
"I think we’ve been bamboozled," I muttered.
Rob laughed. "Good word, and I think you’re right." She didn’t seem upset at all by Edith’s tactics.
"We have another problem." Rob’s eyes widened, showing off the golden-brown flecks in her jade eyes.
"We do?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "I’m not a liar, and you told Edith you were filling in as my bartender." Maybe it was a bad idea to push the issue. Having her so close, tempting me while I was on the clock, was probably a really bad idea.
She let out a loud laugh and licked her lips. "Are you offering me a job, Levi?"
"Maybe. Do you know how to mix cocktails?"
She shrugged. "It’s been a few years, but I am a certified mixologist, so yeah, I know how to mix cocktails."
"No shit?" This woman just kept surprising me.
"No shit." She flashed a satisfied smile. "Impressed?"
"Maybe. I’ll need to test out your skills first." Rob was fun as hell. She was beautiful, but she didn’t take herself too seriously.
"Of course. Right after you soak up these carbs," she said, pointing to the pizza between us. "And then I’m hired, right?"
"Can you start this week?"
"I leave tomorrow morning for Cancun, but I’ll be back Friday morning. How does that sound?"
"Friday works. Now, I have a serious question for you, Rob."
"I’m listening."
"Do you need a ride to the airport?"
Surprise flashed in her eyes, but then heat darkened them. "Absolutely hell yes."
That answer left no room for doubt.
7 ROB
"Jeez, girl, that's your twenty-third yawn. Did you get any sleep in Cancun?" Kayla was off today and had volunteered to pick me up from the airport since I didn't have my car.
"No," I growled. "And it wasn't because I was partying or soaking up the beautiful Mexican sun." The photo shoot had been long and grueling, thanks to a new photographer eager to prove himself.
"Are they always like that?"
"Not usually, but Bennie is motivated to do a good job. How else would they justify my paycheck?" I laughed it off because the shoot was nothing out of the ordinary. "I just didn't sleep much the night before, so I'm heading into my fourth day running on fumes."
She sucked in a breath. "Another night with Levi, the sexy bartender?" She wiggled her brows.
"How would Mac feel about you ogling the bartender?"
"As long as I ogle him more than anyone else, he's fine. And you're deflecting."
"Maybe a little," I conceded. "Do you have plans tonight?"
"Other than dinner and a video chat with Mac, no. Why?"
"I have a surprise for you. Come up to Ol' St. Nick's tonight."
Kayla's eyes widened. "Now I'm totally intrigued."
"Then I'll see you there. Thanks for the ride." I grabbed my bag when she stopped in my driveway and jumped out. I needed a nap and a shower—preferably in that order.
Three and a half hours later, I stepped into Levi's pub dressed for a night of slinging drinks. Leather pants, a lace crop top that would scandalize half of Holiday Grove, and knee-high boots that were equal parts comfortable and sexy. If they didn't grab Levi's attention, nothing would.
"You made it." His voice was right behind me, close enough that I felt the heat of his body against my back.
I looked straight ahead, soaking up his nearness. "Did you doubt me?"
"No." I could hear the smile in his voice. "Just wasn't sure with that storm sweeping through Mexico."
"That's why I bumped up my flight."
He laughed. "That eager to see me?"
"Maybe. Or maybe I just really missed sleeping in my own bed." It was a bit of both.
"Hmm." He pressed a kiss to that spot below my earlobe that made my knees weak. "Glad you're back." His hands settled on my hips, pulling me flush against him. "Let me show you how to use the register."
Fifteen minutes later, my nipples were sore, my panties were ruined, and my libido was in overdrive. And the night was just getting started.
It took less than an hour after the pub officially opened before it was packed to capacity. Locals and tourists alike filled the booths and chairs, and pretty much every free inch of floor space. Bartending wasn't as glamorous as modeling, and it didn't pay as well, but it required many of the same skills. I kept my pink lips curved into a friendly—but not too friendly—smile while I poured icy mugs of beer, mixed up margaritas and daiquiris, and even shook up a few more margaritas.
In between all of that, I managed to spend at least half of every hour flirting with Levi. "You wear that apron well, Mr. Chef."
His mouth twisted into a lopsided grin as he plated up the shepherd's pie bowls that were on special tonight. "Doin' all right up there?"