Chapter 3 #2
Not to mention that run-in with her father made her worry about what she would be heading back into in a few hours.
Let it go, Devi.
No point worrying about it .
She practiced plastering a smile on her face. There. Much better. She walked out of the bathroom, wearing that smile. Mac took one look at her and shook his head.
“You ain’t fooling anyone, girl.”
“Well, maybe the only person I’m trying to fool is myself,” she told him. “You know what they say, put on a smile and you’ll feel happier.”
“Who the heck says that?” Silla asked as she cashed out her tab.
“Me. I say that.” She glanced down at the tomato soup and buttered toast that Sandy had placed on the bar for her. She practically licked her lips before spooning some up and swallowing it. “Ooh. Hot. Hot. Hot.”
She glanced around for a drink and a glass of water was suddenly placed in front of her. She took it and drank it down.
“Thanks, Mac,” she told him, guessing that he’d put it there.
But when she glanced up at her boss, he shook his head and his gaze went to the person she could feel standing next to her.
A person who smelled like chocolate and cinnamon and a scent that she didn’t know.
What were the odds that he’d be here?
Seriously. How was this her life?
Turning slowly, she glanced up into sad, beautiful eyes.
“Hayes! Hi!” she chirped.
He raised his eyebrows. Uh-oh. Was she not meant to use his name? Maybe he preferred Mr. Hayes. He hadn’t exactly introduced himself so maybe he didn’t realize she even knew his name.
Did he know that she’d been paying attention to him? Staring at him?
Yeah. That train had probably already left the station
Devi knew there wasn’t much that was subtle about her.
“Didn’t you think to test the temperature first before you ate that?” he rumbled.
“Um, I think the answer to that is obvious.”
“Next time, check,” he ordered.
Wow.
Talk about bossy. She gaped at him, unsure what to say to that command. While she was sitting there, imitating a statue, he turned and walked off to the end of the bar where he sat at the corner.
“Whoa, baby.” Silla moved closer, fanning herself. “Was that hot or what? I’m gonna have to go home and change my panties.”
Silla was a straight talker.
Mac groaned. “I’m gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Silla just grinned.
Devi was with Silla. She wouldn’t say it, but she was definitely hot and bothered after that encounter.
“There’s just something about a fit, hot man telling me what to do that gets the juices flowing, you know what I mean?” Silla asked way too loudly.
Unfortunately, yes she did.
But no way she was agreeing with Silla out loud. And Devi really wished that she would tone her voice down.
“You obviously know him,” Mac said to Devi in a quieter voice. “I’ve not seen him around before. He a city boy?”
The town they lived in was pretty small, but it was about an hour’s drive from Denver. And there were a lot of people moving out here, drawn by the cheaper housing.
Devi shook her head. “I’m not sure where he’s from, but I don’t think he’s moved here. He’s been coming in with Sondra Stein each morning. He seems to be her bodyguard.”
“Why would Sondra Stein need a bodyguard?” Silla said in a really loud voice. Sometimes Devi worried that Silla’s hearing was damaged. But she didn’t know how to bring that up without insulting the other woman.
Devi didn’t really have any friends. Friends were something she couldn’t afford to have. Not with the life she led.
But Silla and Mac were the closest things to friends she had.
Devi winced. “Shh.” She glanced over at Hayes. He wasn’t looking at them, but she just had this feeling that he was listening.
Crap.
“I don’t know if I’m meant to know that,” she said. “And I’m not entirely sure what’s going on. Maybe she’s being threatened or something.”
Both Mac and Silla gaped at her.
“What’s the world coming to that a woman in this town needs a bodyguard?” Mac shook his head in disgust.
Well, this town wasn’t exactly Utopia. At least, not for her. But she refrained from saying that.
Darn it. Her mouth was still burning. She took another few sips of water.
“I better get home,” Silla said. “I’ve now got a date with Horny Henry. If you know what I mean.” She winked and headed out.
Nope. Devi had no idea what she was talking about. She turned to Mac. “Has she got a new boyfriend?”
Funny nickname to give him.
Mac let out a choked noise. “Nope. Not a new boyfriend. Silla just has no shame. And she says whatever is on her mind.”
Oh. Wait. Shit.
Was she talking about her vibrator? Had she called it Horny Henry?
Dear Lord.
“I need to get to work.” Devi could feel how hot her cheeks were. It wasn’t like she didn’t have her own vibrator. But she’d never named it. Or told anyone about it.
“Eat your soup,” Mac said gruffly. “It’s quiet in here.”
She nodded in relief. She hadn’t been sure how she would get through a whole shift without eating. She’d been starting to feel very light-headed.
Fucking Aaron.
Devi spooned up some soup, but she swore that she could feel eyes on her. Glancing over, she found Hayes staring at her. He didn’t say anything and his expression didn’t seem to change.
However, she sensed what he was trying to say.
Hmm. Maybe she was telepathic. Although she wasn’t sure she wanted to understand what other people were thinking.
Anyway, she just knew he was watching to make sure that she tested the soup before eating it.
Devi hesitated for a moment. She really considered defying him. What could he do?
Nothing.
But there was something inside her telling her to be a good girl. A huff of air escaped her and she pressed her upper lip to the creamy soup, testing it.
Perfect.
She ate the mouthful.
Delicious.
There was something wrong with him.
Why couldn’t he keep his gaze off the girl? She was nothing to him. Yet, he kept gazing over at her, watching as she ate the soup quickly, as though she was worried it might disappear.
Why was she so hungry?
When was the last time she’d eaten? Was she skipping meals?
She was quite tall for a woman and thin. May had had abundant curves and she’d barely topped five foot. She’d often complained about her height and the fact that she could never reach anything without a stool.
He’d loved all her curves, her wide hips and bouncy ass.
Devi was all sharp angles. But perhaps that was because she didn’t eat enough. Not that he was comparing them.
He didn’t care. She was literally no one to him. He’d hopefully be going back to Sanctuary Ranch in Montana. Then on to a new job with new people.
She’d be carrying on with her life.
And yet he still felt irritated by the fact that she was obviously starving.
Why? She worked two jobs. Something else that annoyed him.
There was something wrong with him. He’d left Donovan guarding both Sondra and Alan to come here and relax. To try and get rid of the irritation riding him.
And all he’d done was increase his agitation.
Thanks to this girl.
She got up and grabbed her plate, rushing it into the kitchen. He held back a wince. He really didn’t think she should be running around with things in her hands. She had proven to be rather clumsy and she could easily trip and fall.
Again, not your business.
Hayes nursed his single beer as she reappeared and started serving the patrons in the small bar. It was run down, but clean and it didn’t smell.
He’d thought it might be quiet especially on a Wednesday night, but as he sat there, more and more people appeared. And Devi seemed to know the name of everyone.
Good memory for names and faces.
She was also nosy which probably helped. No doubt people confessed a number of things to her while she worked.
Hayes wasn’t sure how he felt about her knowing why he was here. Then again, it wasn’t exactly a secret.
However, he didn’t want her figuring out anything more.
And not just because it wasn’t her business. Sometimes knowing too much could be dangerous.
And he didn’t like the idea of this girl being in danger.
She was too sweet. Too innocent. He watched her rush around, delivering drinks and food with a smile for everyone. She lit up the rundown tavern. She’d had one accident and about three near misses. Which seemed to be a minor miracle for her.
He finished his beer, grimacing since it was now warm.
“Want another?” the old bartender asked him. He looked to be in his late sixties with a long, gray beard and thinning hair. He might be older, but he still appeared fit. And he’d been watching Hayes ever since he’d spoken to Devi.
That had been stupid. He should have just stayed away from her. Hell, when he’d realized that she was here he should have walked back out the door.
But he did like to torture himself.
And watching her stumble around without interfering was . . . painful.
“No thanks.” He put down a bill that more than covered the beer and tip.
“I’ll get your change,” Mac said.
“Don’t bother. Give it to her as a tip.” He nodded over at Devi.
For fuck’s sake.
What was he doing?
It was just because he was worried about her state of finances. That was all. Nothing more.
Her clothes were clearly worn and hung off her frame. Her shoes were scuffed and old. And she was working two jobs yet didn’t seem to be eating enough.
He’d do the same for anyone.
No, you wouldn’t. You haven’t cared about anyone this much since May.
Which is exactly why he had to stay away.
“You interested in Devi?” the old man asked bluntly.
Hayes met his gaze, letting the other man see the coldness in his eyes. The emptiness.
He knew it was there, he saw it every morning when he looked in the mirror. He made himself look. It wasn’t easy, but it was a penance.
He’d lost her. It was his fault.
And now he had to see that pain in his eyes in the mirror. To accept it as his due.
The bartender actually winced.
“No.”
It was all he said before he got up and left the bar.