Chapter 18 #2
"It's actually fun. I'm not usually so close to the customers.
But it gives you a different feel for the business.
I'm usually looking at numbers on a spreadsheet.
It doesn't compare to people's opinions about your food and drinks.
Even how they react to the atmosphere. Is the room inviting?
Do they want to stay for a while?" I said, energized from the evening.
"I'm glad you're so inspired."
Was that what I was? I hadn't felt so alive at work in forever. I'd never gotten this close to a business. "It's fun."
A smile spread over her face. "We have a few more minutes before Rowan will wonder where you are."
I arched a brow. "What did you have in mind?"
"I've never fucked anyone in this office before."
"I should hope not." I lifted her, moving her across the room to the nondescript desk. There was nothing on the top, so I set her down and braced my hands on her thighs. "You want me to fuck you on top of the desk?"
"I was thinking that you could bend me over it."
"I love the way you think." I was already removing my clothes, and she hopped down from the desk to do the same.
"You don't think anyone will see us?"
"No one uses this office," she said when she was naked, and she spun so that her palms were flat on the desk, and she arched her back so that her ass was in the air.
I grabbed a condom, put it on, and moved between her legs to test how wet she was for me. She was soaked. "You're beautiful like this."
She looked over her shoulder. "Hurry."
I gripped her hips and entered her in one motion.
It always felt so good to be inside her.
But this was different. It was raw, and there was that fear that we'd be discovered.
It only heightened every sensation. My heart was racing out of control as I moved, wondering how I'd gotten so incredibly lucky to have met Clara.
It was going to be hard to walk away from her, but it's what I did. There was no reason to change anything now. It worked for me. And Clara would find someone else that fit into her life seamlessly. Someone she wouldn't have to hide from her brothers.
I reached around to touch her breasts, which moved with every snap of my hips. I pinched her nipples, then moved to her clit where I could rub it. She cried out, her legs trembling from the orgasm. I gripped her hips and thrust harder. I wanted to come with her.
The orgasm formed at the base of my spine. I thrust one more time deep and emptied myself into her. I wished that we could be even closer, no rubber between us. But that was dangerous, and I didn't take risks like that. Not in my personal life.
This would have to be enough. I eased out of her, then moved to take care of the condom, hiding it deep in the garbage can in the bathroom. When I returned, she was already dressed, her cheeks flushed and her hair mussed.
"I'll leave first and go out the back. Malcolm doesn't know I'm here."
"Okay."
She kissed me once on the lips and then moved toward the door. Her hand was on the knob, and I asked, "Can you come over tonight?"
She flashed me a smile. "Sure. Let me know what time."
"Will do." I pulled on slacks, and she disappeared out the door. I crossed the room and locked it so I could finish getting dressed. If Rowan asked where I was, I'd tell him I made a pit stop in the bathroom.
When I was dressed, I went to the stock room and grabbed more napkins so that I could say I was doing something while I was gone. When I returned, Rowan said, "There's a new group."
The first group of women were gone, and Rowan's shoulders were more relaxed. Was he getting more comfortable, or was it Hattie that had him on edge? I wanted to know who she was to him, but that wasn't something I usually cared about. Other people's personal lives had nothing to do with me.
Rowan never asked why I disappeared for so long, and we were busy for the rest of the night. After we cleaned up, we sat at the bar, going over our results.
"Most of the feedback was positive. There was one brew that had a few negative comments."
"I'll have to work on that one. Or put it aside for now," Rowan said.
"You have enough options that you don't need it. Start with just a few and go from there."
"We don't know if my family's going to approve the brewery."
"You can't let their decision stop you."
"I'd have to find a new location, buy property, possibly renovate it to make it what I want. If I open here, I avoid a lot of upfront costs."
"True. But then you have to deal with a lot of people's opinions. That's the advantage of going out on your own."
He sighed. "I'd like the brewery to be part of the family business."
"We'll deal with that if it happens. For now, we present everything to your family over dinner and hope that everyone is excited about the plan."
Rowan tipped his glass to his lips. "That's a big if."
"I think it's going to round out your offerings. You have the inn, weddings, a restaurant, and a brewery will give your guests one more activity to enjoy."
"I hope you're right," Rowan said.
His reaction was more muted than I expected. He was anticipating having issues with Malcolm and possibly a few other members of his family.
But this was an idea that I believed in, and usually I got whatever I wanted in business. This brewery was going to happen. The question was, where would it be located? On their family's property or somewhere else?
Either way, I was committed to seeing this through.
What I was going to do about Clara was another story.