Authors: Karice Bolton
“You’ve had your hands full,” Liv whispered, as I passed by the bar and grabbed two Maraschino cherries to snack on.
“Why was it that I wanted to work here?” I teased.
“Uh. The money. Duh,” Liv laughed.
“Oh yeah. Do you mind covering for a few? I want to go freshen up in the back.”
“Not at all, doll. Take your time.” She winked.
“Thanks.”
I walked through the restaurant to the back hall that led to the offices and our dressing room. I heard a heated discussion coming from Emily’s office and slowed down to listen. Obviously I hadn’t learned my lesson about sticking my nose where it didn’t belong.
As I got closer, I recognized the male’s voice as Sean’s. I pretended to adjust my silk boxers and camisole in case someone came out of the office.
“You can’t just expect me to ignore deposits this large,” Emily said angrily. “The first time I was willing to look the other way. But this is the third one, Sean.”
“What does it matter if it’s going in the account to help the business,” Sean replied. “It shouldn’t matter. Say it came from my personal savings.”
“I’m not going to say it if it’s not true. If we ever get audited, they would love to know why a part owner was busy dumping money into a business that was plugging along just fine.”
“Exactly. We’re plugging along.”
“What are you expecting out of this place, Sean? You pay the servers miraculously well.”
“I don’t pay them miraculously well. The tippers pay them miraculously well.”
“Whatever the case. You’re not in the red,” she continued.
“I’m not in the red, but let’s rehash. As you pointed out the servers do amazingly well. How well? Many of them make more than I do,” I heard anger at the revelation.
“You just proved my point. Why would you, the owner, dump such a large sum of money into a place that might not offer the return? That is a question the auditors would ask. They’d also want to know where the money came from.”
“You’re basing everything on something that might not even happen,” Sean replied. His breathing sounded exasperated and I heard footsteps, but they were leading away from the door.
“I’m trying to look out for the business and what’s best for you,” Emily said.
“If you’re worried about what’s best for me then look the other way, and I promise there will be no more large deposits,” Sean’s voice softened.
“You promise?” Emily’s voice got far too breathy.
I took that as my cue and continued walking to the dressing room. I really hoped Mia was done with Sean, fling or not. It grossed me out. Granted, since I’d never gone down that path, maybe I was making too much of a big deal out of it. But I doubted it. The thought of sharing Luke was out of the question. Not that I actually had him to share but still. It wouldn’t happen. I opened the door and walked over to my little area. Grabbing a fresh bottle of water, I sipped it as I wondered if Luke knew anything about Sean’s feelings about the place. Something told me no. It seemed like Sean was far too prideful to talk about where he was financially compared to where he wanted to be, especially if comparing to anything Fletcher related. I took another sip and got my bearings as I thought about the possibilities. Was it true we made more than Sean?
Liv stuck her head in the dressing room. “Table’s on the move.” She grinned.
“Thanks.” I tossed the water on the chair and wondered if Liv knew about Sean and Emily. Maybe it was common knowledge, but I wanted this job enough to stay quiet regardless.
I followed Liv into the main area where the four men were wallowing in their sorrows over having to leave and go back into work the next day. In this instance, I actually felt sorry for them too. There wasn’t one of them that took it easy tonight. They’d be feeling it in the morning for sure.
“Thanks aahhso much, my beauty,” one of the men slurred. He slinked his arm around my waist and gave me a slight squeeze. He smelled so strongly of alcohol I had to turn away and just as I did, Luke walked in.
Perfect! Just my luck.
I never allowed men to get this close and the one time…
As quickly as he slipped his arm around me he let go, as his group hobbled out of the restaurant to the waiting cab.
Luke caught my gaze across the restaurant, and I felt a wave of heat roll through me as his eyes darkened. His stride quickened, and he didn’t look away as he walked across the room. My pulse accelerated as I watched his unchanged expression. There was something beyond appealing about his reaction. The idea that I could make him respond to me in this way was enticing, like I was his to be claimed. His green eyes held an intensity that I’d seen before, but this time, I felt like he wanted to do something about it, and I wanted him to.
I flashed him a smile and a smirk appeared on his lips as he shook his head.
“Let me guess. That’s never happened before,” his voice low as he reached me and slipped his hands around my waist.
“It seriously hasn’t. Not like that,” I laughed, as he pressed his forehead to mine, looking into my eyes.
His fingers circled the base of my spine, sending a bolt of desire through me and I felt my heart flutter.
“Let me close up the tab, and I’ll be ready to leave,” I whispered.
“The sooner the better.” He released me, and I immediately wanted back in his arms, but instead I walked over to the terminal. I felt his eyes on me, which only made a wave of heat travel through my body. I closed out the bill and waved at Luke before heading to the dressing room to grab my bag.
“You and Luke pretty serious?” Liv asked, as she followed behind.
“I’d say so. If that’s possible with him.”
“Lucky you,” she laughed, as we walked into the dressing room.
I grabbed my bag and strapped it over my shoulder. I didn’t feel like changing out my outfit. We were headed straight to his house so it didn’t matter. I said a quick goodbye to the girls and walked out. Luke was leaning against the wall, waiting. He looked absolutely delicious. He grinned and I shook my head and laughed. The feelings this man evoked were sensational, and I had to do something about it before I exploded. Slipping my hand into his, I pulled him along through the building.
“In a hurry for something?” he teased.
“Possibly.”
We walked to the car, and I slid into my seat, hoping that my exhaustion wouldn’t take over the other ideas that were beginning to form. Luke climbed into the driver’s seat and flashed me a smile. Exhaustion definitely wouldn’t win tonight.
“You look beautiful,” Luke replied, slowly backing out of the stall.
“Thanks. You’re not looking so bad yourself,” I teased. “So I still haven’t seen the music room.”
“You haven’t found the entrance.”
I started laughing, and found it almost impossible not to reveal that I knew where the entrance was the entire time. I just wanted to lose the bet.
“We’ll see,” I said, resting my hand on his knee.
“I guess we will.”
We continued the drive in almost silence, but it wasn’t awkward. It was peaceful, content. Neither of us felt an overwhelming need to fill the air with small talk and I liked it. Whenever I’d been around my fiancé, I felt completely uncomfortable and like I needed to fill every second with babble about something inconsequential so that we never spoke about anything too personal. I didn’t want him to get to know me, and I had no desire to know him. With Luke, everything had changed. I wanted to know every single detail about him. Where he grew up. What schools he went to. What his favorite subjects were. Everything.
Luke turned up the drive and opened the gate. Driving down the driveway and into the garage, I felt safe. We drove down the ramp and parked on the bottom floor of the garage.
“I bet you’re exhausted,” Luke said, his lip curled up slightly.
“Yeah. Exhausted for sure,” I said, hiding my grin as I unbuckled and climbed out of the Tesla.
“Before I forget, Mia wanted me to tell you sweet dreams. She’s in bed.” He came around to the side of the car and led me to the elevator.
“That was sweet of her. I have something to show you in the library,” I offered.
“Lead the way,” he laughed, his touch gentle as we climbed on the lift. “But I doubt you’re as good as you think you are.”
“Those are fighting words,” I laughed as the elevator opened on the main floor.
There was something changing between us and with every step closer to the library, I almost felt like I was going to spontaneously combust. We walked down the hall and I stopped him in front of the door.
“I want you to brace yourself,” I whispered. “This will blow your mind.”
“I hope so.”
I opened the door and beelined to the shelf with the tipped over book. I ran my hands along the shelf and pushed gently as the wall moved, revealing the music room.
“Always hide the evidence,” I laughed. A click echoed through the library and I glanced over my shoulder to see Luke locking the library door. My heart rate quickened with an anticipation of the unknown. I turned my attention to the room revealed in front of me, the beauty catching me off guard.
A Concert Grand Piano sat in the center of the room, shiny and black. Gold script lettered the maker. It was a Bösendorfer, something I’d only read about in magazines. I couldn’t even imagine the price, but my guess was well over six-figures. My sister would’ve bowed down to the piece. I glanced at a harp that anchored the far corner and a Cello stood next to it.
A collection of guitars hung on the wall to my left, ranging from classical to electric. To the right was the collection I wanted to devour. There were glass cabinets with violin cases on the shelves. Two of the cases were open, the red velvet interior showcasing the prize. I took a few steps inside, daring myself to look at his collection. I heard the click as the door closed behind me, creating a muffled echo. One oddity about the room was the lack of windows, but I did spot a door next to the guitars.
I walked over to the violins, spotting little cards describing each. My heart hammered once I realized I was looking at a Guarnerius. The tips of my fingers began to tingle with the idea of holding this beautiful instrument.
“Instead of a secret garden, I have a secret room,” he whispered, bringing me into his arms.
“It’s magical,” I said, feeling his body against mine.
I turned around and stood on my toes, my mouth brushing against his.
“Do you play?” I asked, breaking away from him and walking toward the piano. We had an upright at home. Getting to admire this instrument up close was a dream. My sister played the piano. I played the violin. We’d often perform duets with each other. Another memory I’d chosen to pack away.
“The piano. I dabble with the others,” he replied, his voice smooth. “But I love to collect instruments. It turned into a passion. I wish I could do the instruments justice, really. I just loved the beauty of them and the beauty of what they can become in the hands of a chosen few. I’d love for you to play for me.”
“How about when this is all over, I’ll play something for you?” I whispered, my hand tracing along his arm before I took a step away. “Has anyone played violin for you?”
He shook his head. “I would be honored.”
I felt him behind me, his hands slowly moved along my sides. The tenderness of his touch created a thrill.
“Why aren’t there any windows?” I asked.
“I figured that if I had to have a safe room, I might as well be locked away with something that I’d enjoy,” he replied.
“This is a safe room? Wow.” I looked at the door across the room. “Where does that door lead?”
“My bedroom.”
A shiver ran through my body and I laughed quietly.
“Every day I’m near you makes it harder to stay away,” he murmured, his grip stopping at my hips.
The excitement and desire rippling through me turned to nervousness. Not because of Luke, but because I was worried I wouldn’t be enough for him. That my inexperience would spoil his pleasure or make him regret his decision to be with me. I had no expectations. He had plenty. I slowly turned in his arms and looked up at him.
“Then why stay away?” I asked, brushing aside my worries.
His gaze connected with mine, as my hands traveled along his arms. He held me while the rush between us grew, and my mind began dreaming of all the things that could come tonight.
“I don’t want to pressure you. Make you do anything you’ll regret,” he murmured, his lips dangerously close to mine.
“I’d never regret giving myself to you,” I whispered, my heart racing with the admission. “I’d regret that I didn’t.”
Luke’s gaze filled with desire as he pressed his body against mine. I felt his firmness press into my stomach, but it wasn’t enough. The excitement of the unknown took over completely as my hands ran along his back, bringing him in even closer as I leaned against the wall.
“Upstairs,” he whispered, his lips touching my throat before taking me to the door I’d spotted only moments earlier. “It leads to my bedroom.” He stopped himself. “Only if you’re sure.”
“I’ve never been more certain in my life.”
His lips broke into a smile as he carried me upstairs. The staircase led into a large bedroom where he placed me down, my hand in his. I didn’t know what I expected, but this room fit Luke perfectly. A King bed covered with ivory and beige linens was centered in the room, and a fire was already blazing in the corner fireplace. French doors looked out into darkness.
Luke grabbed a remote, closing the curtains and flicking off the lights, and I felt a flutter of excitement as I thought about this next step, with only the shadows from the fire providing a faint glow.
He took a step closer to me and tossed the remote on an upholstered chair before enfolding me into his arms. I felt his hands glide along my spine, sending an amazing trill of sensations through my world. I wanted him. I wanted more.
“You remind me that there really is a heaven,” he whispered.
My breathing quickened while I stared into his eyes as he cradled me in his arms. There was something so pure about this moment, the way he held me, touched me. My hands trembled as I attempted to unfasten each button on his shirt.