Not My Knight
Adele
He’s been sitting at a table in the back for about an hour, using the table ordering system, not coming to the bar. It’s busy tonight with enough people that I only catch glimpses of him.
He’s even hotter than I remember. The crisp white shirt does all kinds of things to my pulse, molding over the muscles of his arms and chest. The burgundy-colored tie sets off his eyes. His sleeves are rolled up to just below the elbow.
He’s not quite the coifed, elegant CEO. There is still that touch of rebel to his appearance.
Since he came in, I’ve being going back and forth on what I want to say to him.
When I was first served papers about being sued, I’d been so pissed I broke a glass. How fucking dare he?
I don’t doubt my security. Not even the tiniest bit. I went straight to the cameras, which we have all around the bar.
As suspected, I recorded the incident in the bar, where he punched Daniel. Then the arrival of David and Leo who assisted him out. He struggled, my security moved him along.
When I switched to the outdoor cameras, they released him and he moved backwards, angrily, yelling at them. He weaved around a bit and went off camera. Then he fell, you can see his feet going and David is in the top corner of the shot, nowhere near him. Leo is off screen though. That is where we’re screwed.
We have lawyers, but it is a lot of stress and a lot of financial strain we don’t need. At the family meeting after I was served, it led to discussions about doing what everyone so desperately wants of us. To distribute 312.
I’ll be damned if some asshole threatens my family into doing something we swore we never would. I’ll fight tooth and nail before I let that happen.
This Faulkner bastard is a big deal. We’re a small bar, no matter how popular we are.
Now I have the actual threat of giving up our family secret.
“Are you gonna go talk to him or stare at him?”
I elbow Brie. I’ve not filled the bar staff in on the lawsuit, but I have told David and Leo. They needed to make statements.
“I’m not staring at anyone,” I continue pouring wine for a couple of women.
“You aren’t fooling me, Adele.”
“He’s just a customer.”
“He’s been watching you too, you know.”
I tilt my head at her. “He has?”
She grins. “Oh yeah. And, oh,” she looks at screen beneath the bar. “He just ordered another drink. Why don’t you let me take over here and go help him out, hmm?”
“Stop pushing it.”
“You deserve a little fun. He looks like he’d be a good time,” she winks. “Go. He wants a 312.”
It will give me an opportunity to ask him about his help on the lawsuit. I wasn’t expecting it.
Our lawyer told me the man involved in the altercation had given a statement in our favor. That is the only reason I’m going over. And to serve him his drink.
He watches me approach, our eyes pinned to one another. If he’s surprised, I’m bringing him a drink, he doesn’t show it. At the table, I set his bottle and glass down. He’s on a high table again, so we’re at eye level.
“Didn’t think you would come in here again.”
“What can I say,” he stares at my lips then back at my eyes. “I like the beer.”
“What’s not to like,” I arch a brow.
Stop flirting. Be serious. He’s become an integral part of the disaster that is unfolding on Blue’s Hideaway. Well, maybe not integral but he is involved. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
His lips tilt in a sexy smirk. He picks up the bottle, raises it in toast then takes a few swallows.
Damn. That’s hot. I have to squeeze my lips tight to avoid making any involuntary sounds.
“You know about the legal matter,” I say, not wanting to shout everywhere that I’m being sued.
His face gets serious, and he ducks his head. “I do. I’ve already met with them and told my side. It’s a BS situation though. I’m sorry it’s happening.”
“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry, I don’t need a knight in shining armor to save me. We have lawyers and we will fight it.”
“You think that is what I was doing? I got called up and told the truth.”
“Just making sure.”
I tuck the tray under my arm and glance around us. It’s getting quieter. It’s a weeknight. People rarely stay out late.
“The assist is appreciated.”
He laughs. “You say that like it’s a sport we’re playing.”
“It’s the best way to look at it.”
My expression darkens at the thought of what is happening and what the real connotations are. Daniel sees it. Wiping it away, I start to leave but he talks again, stopping me.
“Blue, I don’t want to overstep, but I am prepared to help if you need it.”
“Still calling me Blue?” Not touching that offer with a ten-foot barge pole. The less we talk about the lawsuit the better. That is not what I want this to be about.
He dips his head, not so much in embarrassment, more like he finds it amusing.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s kind of stuck in my head.”
“Giving me a nickname could be dangerous… CEO.”
His smirk turns into a full-blown grin. My pulse quickens at the sight of it. He’s not the first hot guy I’ve seen here or been hit on by. He is one of the first I’ve wanted to flirt with in a while.
“Enjoy the beer,” I turn but look at him over my shoulder as I move away from the table.
“I am.”
Back behind the bar, I take a few steadying breaths. It was a challenge not to turn back and see if he was watching me walk away. I could feel his eyes without looking.
“If looks could burn through clothes, you’d be naked,” Brie whispers as she walks past me.
This time I don’t argue or scold her. Because she’s right.
It gets later and more people start to leave. Curtis stands beside me surveying the bar.
“Is that guy gonna leave? Wasn’t he the one who got in the fight the other night?” he asks. No need for me to ask who he means.
“He’s hot for teacher,” Brie smirks, slamming the register shut.
“Huh?” Curtis looks at her, then me. Understanding flashes across his face. “Oh, Gotcha. Nice. What are you gonna do?”
“None of your business, or yours.”
Brie stifles a laugh.
“I say go for it,” Curtis says, looking over at Daniel again. He crosses his arms as he turns back to me. “You’re still young, kinda hot. He looks like he could throw you around the bedroom good enough, and you know he defends the honor of women.”
“Fuck off,” I push him so he falls back a step, Leaving Curtis and Brie laughing it up, I head out to clean up some tables.
Daniel is doing something on his phone as I get nearer to his table, it’s quiet back here now, just another couple sitting in a booth, who look like they’re arguing. His head comes up when I wipe the table beside his.
“Don’t you have a home to go to?” I ask over my shoulder.
I may bend a little more than is necessary. Even though I’m wearing a short denim skirt, it covers my ass enough to know that I’m not flashing my panties at him.
“I do, but I’m enjoying the atmosphere here. And the view.”
Straightening I give a sidelong look at the couple. His eyes follow and he shakes his head with a laugh. “If you think that is what I meant, then I’m really off my game.”
“What game is that?” turning and setting my ass against the table, I grip the edges on either side of my thighs.
“The letting you know I’m interested game.”
“Been a while?”
“Am I that easy to read?”
I shrug. “There is a story there sure, I can see that.”
He tucks his phone away. “Maybe I don’t want to get into that.”
“But you want to get into something else?”
He does that thing again, where I feel like he’s mentally taking my clothes off. And I kind of want to let him.
What harm can it do? It might do a lot, if prick face gets wind of it and wants to use it against me in the lawsuit. Can that happen? Is it witness tampering?
“Where’d you go?” he shifts his body, so he is angled more towards me.
“A place I don’t want to.”
“It won’t come back on you.”
“How do you know that?”
“He’s not a friend, or even an acquaintance. And I won’t ever see the asshole again.”
The way we know what each other is thinking without using too many words intrigues me. We’re reading between the lines so easily. That’s never happened with a guy before. I hate that saying ‘he just gets me’ but right now, that is what it feels like is going on here.
He’s insinuated things might be complicated though. I check his hand again. No ring.
Daniel notices and leans back in his seat. “Divorced,” he says.
“Recently?”
“Today.”
My brow creases. Oh, now I’m not so sure I want to get into this. I’m not looking for anything serious. Definitely not. I’ve got too much on my plate without adding a relationship to the mix. Maybe this is a good thing. It means he won’t get attached.
Men are simple creatures. We can both get what we want and walk away.
“And you’re here, drowning your sorrows?” No need to make it too easy.
“More of a I’m glad it’s over with.”
He doesn’t elaborate further. I won’t ask, no matter how curious I am.
The woman in the booth jumps to her feet, screams at the man that he is an asshole, and throws a drink at him. She storms past us with tears in her eyes. He doesn’t get up to follow her, just curses as he grabs napkins to dry his face. He is an asshole.
I signal Curtis to check on her. It’s late and the streets won’t be that busy. He hustles out of the door after saluting me.
“What was that?” Daniel asks.
When I explain, he gives me a look.
“We watch out for our customers.” My gaze goes to the dumbass who is leaving the table. He heads to the bathroom. Jeez. “Now I gotta clean that up.”
“Need a hand?”
“Thanks for the offer but I’ll manage.”
He watches me as I clean up the table and floor and gives the asshole a serious glare when he comes out and walks away with no kind of apology for the mess. I’m used to it. It’s no big deal. It’s part of life owning a bar.
Leaving Daniel to finish his drink I get a mop to clean up the sticky floor. It would have to be red wine.
“Closing time folks,” Jacob calls out.
The few remaining patrons head out at the call. Daniel is still sitting at the table when I’m done but he has put his suit jacket back on, like he’s getting ready to leave. Gathering up the cleaning things, I walk towards him.
“Wait here a second?” I ask.
“Okay,” he answers after a brief pause.
I head over to the bar and tell the others I’m good to clear up. I live above the bar so it’s not like I have to worry about getting home. Plenty of looks are thrown my way as they head out and see Daniel still at the table. I follow them and lock the door behind them.
Turning, I lean against the door and look across the room.
Daniel gets to his feet and drifts towards me.