Malone's Fate (Haven, Texas Book 14)

Chapter 12

Dirty Delights wasn’t a bad place to work.

It was Thursday night and she’d easily gotten into the swing of things. Devon and another guy called Darne were bartending tonight. They also had three waitresses on since tonight was going to be busier.

The other waitresses were friendly. Cherie had shown her all the ropes over the last two days, while Lemon seemed quieter but still kind.

By around ten, she was exhausted. Her adrenaline buzz was disappearing and she was fading fast.

“Go for a break, darlin’,” Cherie called out.

“Oh, but I’ve got full tables.”

“Yeah, but we all get a break. Devon’s orders. And he’s been giving you ‘the look’ for a while.”

Oops. Lilac had noticed ‘the look’ earlier but had done her best to ignore it. Now, when she turned to him, he was glowering at her.

Probably not a good idea to annoy your boss on your third night on the job.

The pay was good, but it was the tips that blew her away. People around here were generous. And respectful. So far, she hadn’t had any trouble with anyone trying to grope her or making lewd remarks about her.

Of course there was still time for that to happen.

However, Devon seemed to have a close eye on his bar and workers. Case in point . . . right now he was pointing to the door behind the bar, which led to the office and staff area.

She sent him a salute and he rolled his eyes. But she headed back. There was a full carafe of coffee, along with creamer and sugar.

She poured some into her mug with a sigh. Sleeping was becoming increasingly hard for her.

“Lilac?”

Shocked, her hand jolted and she splashed some coffee on the floor. “Shit! Sorry!”

“Did you burn yourself?” Devon strode into the room and grasped her hand.

She immediately wanted to wrench it away from his touch. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Devon. She did. And he’d never given her any indication that he’d hurt her.

But Lilac wasn’t used to being touched with kindness or caring by a man.

There was only one man she’d ever wanted to touch her. Who had made her feel good. Who she’d finally felt like she could relax with.

“Easy,” Devon said. “Not going to hurt you.”

“I need to clean up the spilled coffee.”

He snorted. “Nothing this floor hasn’t seen before. It’s fine. Are you?”

“Yep. You just gave me a fright.” She offered him a big smile. Shit. He was probably wondering if she’d act like this every time she went out into the bar, and someone tried to touch her.

But out there, she knew to wear her armor. In here . . . she’d let her guard down.

Not a smart idea, Lilac.

“Really don’t like this brother of yours.”

“You know him?” She stepped back, her heart racing. He knew Stefan? How?

“Nope. I don’t.” He eyed her sternly. “Doesn’t mean I can’t hate his guts for the way he’s obviously treated you.”

Oh.

Shit.

She was giving too much away. She smiled brightly. But she could tell from the look on his face that he wasn’t buying it.

Devon pointed a finger at her, a stern look on his face. “When you’re due for a break, you have a break. Understand?”

“Yes.” Damn. She felt a bit sorry for whatever woman or man he ended up with. She didn’t know what his preference was, only that he would be a force to be reckoned with.

“Good. You got something to eat?”

“I ate before I came.”

With a grunt, he turned and left the room.

She glanced down at the minor burn on her hand that she’d managed to keep hidden from him by turning her hand into the cup. Hadn’t helped the throbbing pain, but she didn’t want his help or touch.

There was only one person she wanted that from . . . and he likely hated her guts.