Page 3 of Forbidden Love

"One day you will find a man that ruins your lipstick and not your mascara," he promised.

***

Two Years Earlier

Pike

“You did great with the Little launch tonight. It’s packed in here,” Travis, the owner of The Thirsty Turtle, said as he took a sip of his beer.

I turned and looked out over the club. It had been a very successful night. I’d been nervous about the changes, but they were going really well.

“Thank you for all your help,” I said.

He shrugged. “I just offered advice. You took it and made it happen.”

I’d inherited the bar when my dad had died several years ago. It had originally been a strip club. I’d invested the money I received from his estate into a remodel. My overall goal was to create a safe place for people in the community to come and relax. The remodel included several small private rooms, one large main room for play parties, and a lot of fun equipment. I had reached out to Travis for advice since he had a similar project going on. He’d been extremely helpful.

“That bartender is amazing,” Maddox, one of Travis’ employees, said suddenly as he watched Dallas flipping bottles.

“She attends competitions. She’s won several,” I said. I was incredibly proud of her.

“The Littles seem to love her,” Travis added. “My Little one is entranced.”

I smiled as I looked at his Little girl watching Dallas in awe. Dallaswasamazing. I watched her make the Littles various non-alcoholic drinks and couldn’t help but laugh as they squealed and clapped at her tricks. She was eating the attention up. She identified as a Little too, and I was sure she enjoyed the praise from her peers.

I was suddenly aware my thoughts had drifted when I noticed Travis looking at me with a shit-eating grin.

“Sorry, what did you say?”

His grin grew wider. “I asked how long you’d had eyes for the bartender?”

My heart dropped to my stomach, and I tried to recover quickly. “No, she’s my…Bitty Baby,” I finished lamely.

“Your what?” Maddox asked.

“She was my best friend’s sister. He passed away several years ago. She’s special to me.”

Travis’ grin didn’t fall. “My question still stands. How long have you had feelings for her?”

I sighed and ran my hands over my face.“I promised her brother I’d take care of her.”

“And?” Travis questioned.

“I’m pretty sure that doesn’t involve dating her.”

“Did he say that specifically?”

“No, but he wanted me to look after her like an older brother would.”

“Again, did he say that specifically?” Travis wasn’t going to let this go.

“No, but I think it was implied.”

“I think you’re scared and you’re hiding your feelings behind this promise you’ve made,” Maddox said.

“Evenifthat were true, I’m too old for her. Fifteen years is a big age gap.”

“Says who?” Maddox asked.