Page 51 of Old-Fashioned

He opened the door, pulled me through, locked it back and together we walked down the hall. Once we reached the opening of the bar, he pulled our still-joined hands to his lips and pressed a kiss on the back of my hand.

Winking at me, he said, “Now, since I’m yours and you're mine, next time some woman tries to flirt with me, you make sure she knows I’m taken. Happily, so.”

And with that he went back behind the bar, and I got back to work.

My lips still tingling from our kiss.

I got Isla’s eyes, she looked at my mouth, then at Abel, and started laughing while saying, “Fucking finally.”

I was shaking my head as I made a round and got more drink orders, it wasn’t until I was back at the bar, that I realized Abel wasn’t behind it.

That was when Jewell walked up to me, sat her tray down and said, “So, you and the boss man? That how you get the best shifts?”

“I know I didn’t just hear that,” Abel growled at my back.

Looking over my shoulder up at him I winked and mouthed, “I got this.”

The weirdo simply braced his feet, crossed his arms over his massive chest, and glared at her.

Snickering, I looked back at Jewell.

“So, let me get this straight, you’re saying that because I’m either sucking him off or I’ve slept with him, that’s why I have the best shifts?”

She nodded, “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“That’s actually pretty funny. Because, last time I checked which was one second ago, I don’t need to give sexual favors for what I want. We’re taking things slow. And by slow, I mean we’ve kissed, held hands, cuddled, and a few other things, but anything to do with the other bodily fluids, hasn’t taken place yet.”

And for once, Jewell didn’t have a comeback, not when after seconds, she simply sneered, then walked away, “I can’t wait for her to screw up so I can fire her ass.”

What neither one of us knew was that everyone was standing at our backs and all at once they agreed.

Everyone was tired of her shit.

And when Abel smacked my ass, I smiled behind my hair.

Apparently, Abel didn’t like that, so he moved my hair behind my ear, and then muttered, “Don’t ever hide your smile from me, please. It eases some of the darkness in my life.”

Chapter 10

Abel

Once the last patron left the bar, I locked the doors, and then headed over, wrapped my hand around Birdie’s face, turned it, and then pressed my lips down on hers in a soft, yet hungry kiss.

When I pulled away, she looked up at me, dazed, “What was that for?”

“Went too long not having your lips on mine. Got addicted.”

She snickered, “Uh huh.”

And with that, she went back to tallying her book as the rest of the women did.

Once everything was good, we all walked out, but instead of walking out after everyone else, I was doing it with Birdie’s hand in mine.

We had talked earlier and knowing that we were taking things slow, I couldn’t help but say, “After sleeping with you in my arms, don’t know how I’m going to do it in my bed alone.”

She smiled up at me, “I know. But I need to spend time with Ryker. What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Breakfast with my brothers, then I don’t know.”