Chapter 23 Duke
DUKE
The night was winding down as patrons paid their tabs and wandered out into the chilly spring evening.
The only folks left were my regulars, Ryan, and me.
I watched from behind the bar, unabashedly staring as a carefree Olivia danced by the jukebox, shaking her ass to All She Wants To Do Is Dance by Don Henley.
Her hair was frizzy, curling slightly from the sweat beading down her forehead and neck.
It was the hottest fucking thing I’d ever seen.
Olivia had only had a few shots to calm her nerves before moving about the room, talking to people she hadn’t seen in years. She played a game or two of pool, losing each time and yet still smiling as though she was the happiest she’d ever been.
And then she decided to dance like no one else was watching, even though every single person’s eyes were on her.
Ryan was clearing out the tables, shaking his head as she strutted over to him and started singing along to the words. It was slightly off-key, but she didn’t care. Especially not as he joined in, his voice terrible in comparison.
My regulars watched in awe. Johnny had been so enraptured, he’d barely finished his second beer. I was no better, struggling to keep my eyes off her and take care of my customers like it was my goddamn job—which it was.
“That girl is something else,” Gerald said, turning around in his seat and pulling out his wallet. “Been a long time since I’ve seen anything that pretty up close.”
His brother, Tommy, nodded. “Sure wish the women we dated back in our prime looked like that.”
Gerald scoffed. “Speak for yourself. My Bettey was the apple of my eye. She was a model, too.”
“A hand model,” Tommy corrected. “And Bettey was pretty, but she wasn’t that.”
I laughed as the men paid their tabs and kept arguing. When they got up to leave, Olivia strutted over and pressed a kiss to each of their cheeks.
“Leaving so soon?” she asked.
Tommy blushed, taking his hat off his head. “Gotta get this old fart home before he gets too cranky.”
“I stay up later than you do,” Gerald muttered, jabbing an elbow into Tommy’s side.
“You do not!”
Olivia threw her head back and laughed, exposing the column of her throat. “It was so good to see you two,” she said, linking arms with each of them. “How often are you here? I need to make sure we can grab drinks again.”
“Too damn much,” I called out, grabbing a glass from the dishrack and drying it. “It’d be easier to give you a day they’re not here.”
Tommy turned, pointing a gnarled finger in my direction. “We keep you in business, boy.”
“Yeah! If it weren’t for us, you’d have no one to talk to,” Gerald said.
“And I’d be able to drink my fill,” Johnny chimed in.
“Johnny, I know damn good and well that I’m the only sucker that’ll still serve you in this town,” I deadpanned.
He looked toward Olivia, cheeks heating as Gerald clapped him on the back of the head. “Ow! What was that for?”
“For being a damn fool. Go get in the truck before we decide to leave your ass here,” Gerald said, tipping his hat toward Olivia and walking out the door with his brother.
Oliva turned toward me, her smile too goddamn infectious. She sauntered over, taking the stool in front of me. “What’s the damage, bartender?”
“It’s been taken care of,” I said, shaking my head. Gerald and Tommy already paid for it, but I couldn’t tell her that. “On the house.”
She frowned, jutting out her bottom lip. It was painted a vibrant red similar to the dress she was wearing. “Tell me how much I owe, dammit.”
“Already told you.” I wiped the beer taps, bracing my hands on the bar to stare at her. “You don’t owe anything.”
Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Then let me help clean.”
“Olivia—”
She hopped off the stool, hips swishing as she walked toward the middle of the room. “If I were a broom, where would I be?”
Ryan finished stacking the last of the chairs on top of the tables and gestured toward the storage area. “Right in there.”
She smiled and thanked him, heading around the corner to grab what she was looking for. He stood there, watching her go, until I popped him on the neck with the rag I was holding. “Ow, shit.” He turned to look at me, rubbing the red spot with his hand. “Point taken.”
“You’re done for the evening. Lock the front door on your way out.”
Ryan smirked, bringing his hand up to give a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”
As he made his way to the door, I added, “If you wanna keep your job, you’ll keep your eyes in your fucking head, too.”
“Territorial, huh?”
“She’s my best friend’s sister, dumbass. I’m just looking out for her.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s a grown woman,” he said, failing to hide his laughter. “But whatever you say, boss.”
“Get out before I fire your ass,” I grumbled. Once I heard the door shut and the lock click into place, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Having Olivia here, so close, and being unable to touch had been killing me all night. It was still fucking killing me, because I had no idea what her plan was. The only thing I knew was that she wasn’t going to be driving home.
For better or for worse, she was staying with me tonight.
As Olivia walked back into the room, she looked around, noticing Ryan’s absence. “And then there were two,” she said, slowly. She brought her hand up, tucking a wild curl behind her ear. “I should probably get out of your hair, too, huh?”
“And go where?” I asked, voice low. “You’re not getting behind the wheel.”
“I’ve only had a few drinks—”
“I don’t give a shit. You’re not leaving.”
Though I knew she knew better, she still argued. “And you’re not the boss of me.”
“I am tonight.” I wiped down the bar to give me something to do. “And I have your keys.”
Olivia looked down, patting down her dress and freezing when she heard the jingle. Her head snapped up to where I was dangling her keychain in front of her. “How did you get those?”
“You left them behind when you got up to play pool. Didn’t want anyone to steal them, so I put them in my pocket for safekeeping.”
“And now you’re going to hold me hostage.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
I shook my head. “If you wanna call someone to come get you, you’re free to leave.”
We both knew she didn’t have anyone to call. Lukas was out of town, and Grady was likely already asleep. If he wasn’t… Well, I didn’t think either of us wanted to interrupt whatever he and Cleo were getting up to.
“Then I guess I’m staying,” she said. Her grip on the broom handle was so tight, I could see the white of her knuckles.
“Guess you are,” I agreed.
I wasn’t sure what the fuck we were doing. Being alone with her felt like tempting fate. We’d been toeing the line in the sand for weeks now. There was no way we’d make it out tonight unscathed.
But even knowing that, knowing I should drive her home and say goodnight, I couldn’t find the power to do so. Selfishly, I wanted this time with her, even if I knew it’d ruin me when she left.
Olivia glanced behind her at the jukebox. “Mind if I turn on some music while we clean? It’s too quiet in here.”
“Go ahead. I’ll be in the back finishing up. Let me know when you’re done.”
She nodded as I walked out of the room and into the cold storage, where I’d half-assed putting up the garnishes. We didn’t use much around here. Mostly limes for tequila shots and a few beers.
The jukebox kicked on as I dated the labels and carefully put them away.
Olivia’s voice quickly followed, though certainly not as off-key as before.
I recognized the upbeat tempo as a song from Coyote Ugly and groaned.
Images of Olivia dancing on a table, the hem of her dress rising to give me a hint of what was underneath, flitted before my eyes.
It was torture knowing she was just on the other side of the wall, likely moving her body to the sensual beat of the music.
I shook my head, trying and failing to clear my mind. What I needed to do was get this bar shut down, but how could I when all I wanted to do was march into that room and kiss her stupid.
Taking a quick count, I realized I’d left a single container of limes out on the bar. It was a weak excuse, but it was all I needed. I marched into the other room before I could talk myself out of it, stopping dead in my tracks when I saw her.
Olivia was still standing near the jukebox, the broom in one hand, while her other was wound up in her hair to keep it off her neck. Her body swayed to the beat, eyes closed, lost to the moment.
I leaned against the bar, unable to stop myself from watching her.
Fuck. Olivia really was beautiful. From her soft chocolate eyes to her fuck-me-red lips to the short dress that rode up every time she moved, all of it was captivating.
I wasn’t sure if I was turned on or relieved that she seemed so free.
As if aware of my presence, she opened her eyes. There was a fire in them. The same one I’d seen the night I watched her step out of her tub and cruelly tease me by dropping her towel. Her lips curved up. “Enjoying the show?”
I nodded. No point in denying it when it was so obvious. “I am.”
Olivia set the broom near the jukebox. “You know, I’m starting to think you like to watch. This is the second time in a week I’ve caught you looking.”
“It’s been a long time since a woman’s caught my attention,” I admitted, bringing my hand up to scratch the stubble along my jaw. “Wouldn’t wanna miss anything.”
Her lips parted in an O shape, and fuck me, I couldn’t help but wonder what they’d look like wrapped around my cock. I wanted to ruin her makeup, spreading that bright color along my length as I slid inside. I wanted to see how far she’d take me. If she’d choke or take it all the way.
“Maybe you should take a closer look.” Olivia stepped toward me, swaying her hips with the beat of the music. “I wouldn’t want you to miss anything either.”
I balled my hands into fists as she stopped in front of me, trying like hell to keep myself from touching her.
Once I did, it would be over. I wouldn’t be able to stop.