Chapter 13
Still Here
Deja
I’m lying in bed staring up at the ceiling. Normally, I would be getting ready for my shift at the pub in the village. The uncles own Pints. I’ve been working there since I was nineteen.
I practically run the place. Everyone knows my uncles own it and wouldn’t dare step out of line. Anyone who doesn’t know learns pretty fast—there isn’t anyone in the village who would allow anyone to disrespect me.
However, I still keep a baseball bat behind the bar with me at all times. Guys still flirt, and when alcohol is involved, things tend to get out of hand. I can’t help wondering if Cole is gone.
I bet if he were around all the time, I wouldn’t need Patrick at all. Yes, I named my bat, and it’s named after the man I haven’t been able to get my mind off of.
Cole Patrick O’Brien has been on my mind all night long. I’ve spent the entire night thinking about that kiss. I’ve never kissed anyone before.
I didn’t know a single kiss could awaken my entire body. Cole kissed me like I belonged to him, but isn’t that what he said I am? His. I groan and pinch my eyes closed.
“Stop it, Deja. Ya’re going to get yerself hurt,” I mutter.
I sigh and sit up. For the millionth time, I think of taking the night off. Bevie will be here to spend the night with Gran soon.
If I’m going to take the night off, I should let her know before she makes the trip here. I glance at the clock. I have no real reason for not showing up at work.
None other than the fact that I can’t stop thinking about Cole and that kiss. The way he grabbed my bum with his big hands … I bite my lip and moan. I knew one day my vow to a life of celibacy was going to catch up with me.
Cole is so fucking fit. I can only imagine what it would be like to have him … okay, no more of that. I squeeze my thighs together before getting my arse up to get dressed.
I’ll be better off at work than sitting here staring at these walls thinking about something that will never happen. I don’t know if I can trust Cole, so it’s best that I keep my distance.
I mean, why doesn’t he know anything about what happened? Does Uncle Finlay not trust him? If his uncle doesn’t trust him, how can I?
“Get it together, D. He’s just another guy. Before yer eighteenth birthday, ya didn’t see him as anything but a brother. Let’s go back to that, yeah?” I chide myself.
Still muttering to myself, I get dressed for work. With a cheeky grin on my face, I dress for a big-tip night. Donavon did mention a few parties coming in this evening.
Maybe it’s time I find myself a fuck buddy. I’m not getting any younger. If a kiss can do all that … yup, I might be needing me a toy. The backless catsuit it is. I know just the shoes to pair with it.
***
I wipe my hands on a towel and count the drinks on my tray. We’re down a waitress, so I’ve been working tables and the bar. Gordon, Donovan’s little brother, has been helping out, but he’s terrible with carrying drinks.
Nodding to myself, I lift the tray and start for the two tables I have orders for. I drop off two pints to the couple who look to be tourists. I then move to a table of regulars.
“Deja, love, why is it ye never take me up on my offers to dinner?” Harold Wilson asks as I place the tray of beers on his table.
“Maybe because ya are a married man, Wilson. I would hate to have to bust Mrs. Wilson upside her head for coming in here trying to put her hands on me like she did Ailia,” I sing and gave him a smile.
“Aye, she’s got ye there,” Odell Griffin croons and laughs.
Seonaid Wilson is crazy about her man. Ailia Campbell learned the hard way to stay away from her husband. Seonaid walked right into the coffee shop where Ailia works and gave a good show to the village.
“Och, she does,” Travis McDonald adds.
I laugh and shake my head. I’ve known these guys for as long as I’ve worked here. Not only are they regulars, but they’ve become like friends and family. If I even look like something isn’t right, they’re the first to get up from their seats.
The big, scary-looking Scots have scared plenty of eejits away. They are also the jokesters of the pub. You can always count on them for a good laugh.
“Och, Ailia has a big mouth. Ye don’t strike me as the type to play and tell,” Harold says to me, ignoring his friends.
“Harold, do I strike ya as one to play at all?”
“The kind of playing I’m talking about … it would be a shame to let all that go to waste,” he says as he looks me over. He pauses and gets serious, then looks around the pub. “I haven’t seen ye dressed like this in a long time.
“Which one of these lads are ye giving ye heart to? I want to meet him. I have some questions for him,” he says like a protective big brother.
“There isn’t anyone. Can’t a lass dress up for herself?”
He snorts. “Ye may have done it for yerself, but it sure does feel like a gift for the rest of us. Aye, the day the divorce comes through, I’ll be at ye door like a proper gentleman,” he says with a sage nod.
“She’ll have that bat ready for ye too,” Travis says.
“Depending on the mood, it might be a pistol. Don’t bring yer arse to my door, Wilson. I don’t want to have to kick it. Ye boys need anything else? I need to get behind the bar.”
“We’re good, love. I’ll save ye the trip the next round and come for it myself,” Odell says.
“Thanks.”
I turn and go to head back behind the bar. Rolling my eyes at myself, I realize I could have passed on the heels tonight. My feet are starting to ache.
“DJ.”
The name is growled behind me. I don’t bother to turn; I already know it’s him. No one else besides his family calls me by that name. If I didn’t know it was him from the name, I would know from the possessive hold he has on me as he stands behind me with his hand splayed across my belly.
I look up at him and smile. “Hello, Cole. What can I get ya?”
Brooklyn
I walk into the pub I was told Deja works at and look around. It’s a decent place. The word is it’s owned by her uncles.
I’m still digging up information on them. I’m treading lightly so I don’t trigger any unwanted attention; my whereabouts can’t get back to my grandfather.
However, I need to know what’s been going on around DJ. Like I said, I’m not leaving until we talk. I need to head back home soon, so I need to make that happen fast.
However, from the moment I walk in, I want to shut this motherfucker down. I don’t know what DJ was thinking when she left the house this evening, but that shit is going to get someone hurt. There’s no fucking way this is how she comes to work.
The clear stripper heels are one thing. Then there’s the black bodysuit. Her back is on full display, showing off all that smooth, dark-brown skin. There is no denying that body with the fit of the fabric to her skin.
The tat down the center of her back is something I want to explore in more detail, but I hate that everyone else can see it as well. My slacks are so fucking tight right now.
“Hello, Cole. What can I get ya?”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Ya knew I was coming here, didn’t ya? There’s no way ya come to work like this every night.”
“What would make ya say that?”
“Ya love to taunt me.”
She turns to fully face me as I lift a brow at her. That little smile drives me crazy. It always tells me she is goading me, and she knows she has me.
“Taunting ya? Are ya implying I thought about ya as I got ready for work? Still cocky as ever.
“No, Cole. I didn’t know ya were coming here. Would ya like something to drink?”
“What I want is to take my time and do this proper, but yer trying to make me bend ya over and fuck the shit out of ya right where ya stand.”
Her eyes fill with lust as she looks me over. I’m dressed in all black, but I might as well be naked the way she takes me in. I grin and palm the side of her face. The deep waves framing her face and bangs are something new.
It looks good on her. Deja would be beautiful bundled in a potato sack. She smells amazing too.
“I’m not letting ya shag me so ya can go back to wherever ya come from. Do ya want a drink or not, Cole?”
I tug her to me and kiss her hard. Just as she did yesterday, she wraps her arms around my neck and allows me to devour her. I want to clear this place out and take her on the nearest surface.
The chemistry between us is insane. My skin is humming from being near her. If I ever doubted wanting to make her mine, the thought has gone out of the window.
“What are ya doing?” she pants as she breaks the kiss and looks up at me.
“Having a drink. Yer delicious, love. What time are ya done here?”
“Why?”
“We’ll have a drink, and we can talk. I’m in Scotland just for ya. Nothing else. I want to understand what I’m missing. Why ya shut down on me yesterday.”
“That’s not going to happen. Ya might as well go back home.”
I frown. “Those words just tasted like shit, didn’t they? Ya don’t want me gone any more than I want to leave ya.”
“We have a problem here? Who is this, Deja?”
“I’ve got it, Harold. There isn’t a problem.”
“Aye, Harold. Be a good boy and go sit the fuck down,” I bite out.
“Cole,” Deja chides.
“Who the fuck do ye think ye are?”
“I’m her man. Not that I need to explain shit to you. Take your ass back to your table before I fold you and roll you back to it,” I growl, allowing my New York accent to come forward.
“We’d like to see ye try,” another asshole comes to help his friend as they stand here looking like they’re trying to intimidate me.
I roll my shoulders and crack my neck to the side. I didn’t get my workout in this morning. I have no problem doing it now.
I look them both over as a third joins them. I snort. They’re not small men.
However, I’m making it out of here without a problem. I can promise that. I plant my feet and stand firm as if I own the place. I’m the last person they’re going to intimidate.
“Guys, it’s okay. Ye can go back to yer seats. I’ll bring yer next round over in a bit, on me,” DJ says.
“Are ye sure?”
“Aye, I’m sure. Thanks, guys.”
I reach for her hand and lace my fingers with hers as we stand here waiting for these three to mind their own fucking business. There is an instant connection. My hand begins to warm and tingle as I hold hers.
Ignoring them, I look down at DJ, searching her face. She’s glancing up at me. Giving her a wink, I then squeeze her hand. A mix of lust and confusion crosses her face.
I dip in to peck her lips, wanting to deepen the kiss, but using restraint instead. She tugs her hand from mine and nods for me to follow her. I move closely behind her to block the view from anyone else other than me.
She laughs. “Really, Cole?”
“Brooklyn.”
“Huh?”
“Ya should get used to calling me Brooklyn. That’s what I answer to in America.”
“Are ya shitting me?”
“Ach, not at all. There’s a lot ya need to know before I take ya home.”
She stops in her tracks and turns to me. So many emotions are running across her face. I place a hand on her waist and search her eyes.
“Okay, ya can stay. I’ll listen to ya.”
“That’s my girl.”