Chapter 10 ARES
“Is it your first day? It’s okay, take your time, we’ll wait.” A tall blonde in a sparkling red dress winked at him.
“This isn’t my regular gig.” Ares passed her filled dish, and the woman giggled.
“I swear he looks familiar. Do you think he’s an actor?” they asked as they walked back to their seats.
“You’re a hit,” Josie grinned at him, serving the next people in line.
“You’re the star of the show.”
She blushed, but it was true. All night Josie had effortlessly served people, talking and laughing with them, making sure everyone had what they needed.
From the time their host ushered them into the party, Josie took command of the operation, quickly surveying the crowd and realizing that it wasn’t the forty-five people she expected but seventy.
She explained to Ares as her quick hands flew, making the sandwiches that after looking through the group’s social media; she suspected that the initial amount of how much food was ordered felt low and it proved she was right.
Ares’s mind whirled on a cost per analysis of her set up, but he knew stocks and the price of processors and the salary of a former MIT scientist he didn’t know the price of bread, fillings and pasta.
But surely Josie wasn’t getting compensated for what she owed. The entire business puzzled Ares but Josie thrived, chatting to people, he soon realized that he was the only man in attendance tonight and the customers kept coming back for more.
Her confidence shone and was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
I love her. The thought caused him to recoil in shock and he tried to push it away but he couldn’t deny the truth.
“Are you okay?” Her fingertips skimmed his arm.
“I’m perfect,” he flashed her a smile.
“You have people waiting,” she whispered.
“So, I do!” He smiled at the ladies in front of his station and with an effort pulled his mind back from thinking of how much he wanted to get her clothes off and kiss her senseless and serve the next guests in line.
He worked long days, but he’d take all the unnecessary meetings his brother dragged him through over, standing behind a table serving food to people who were ogling him.
Not that he minded the ogling part. It was the standing and serving part.
Josie had a little fold-up stool she brought from the trunk of her car when they were on their third hour and she sat on it here and there but most of the time she stood beside him, making sure the table was clean, checking on the food and chatting to guests.
Looking at his watch, he realized they’d been there for five hours.
“I can skip my morning workout,” he murmured next to her ear.
“Are you teasing me?” Josie’s eyes flashed with something wounded and guarded.
He pressed a palm against her lower back. “No. I’m trying to say, I don’t know how you do this, standing and serving as quickly as you do. You saw how I dropped a whole bowl of pasta.”
“Four bowls. I noticed,” Josie grinned.
“I was too busy looking at you. Your ass is gorgeous in that skirt.” He placed a palm on the small of her back.
She turned bright red. “Ares! We’re working.”
“I know,” he murmured.
“Look how happy everyone is here tonight. We get to be part of their special moment. Maybe they won’t remember the pasta bar or me, but I hope they remember the food and that’s kind of cool.”
“I guess. I haven’t wanted to be a part of something for a long time.”
“It’s my way of fitting in.” Josie turned from him as a small a group of women came through the line for seconds.
Ares wasn’t so out of touch that he thought everyone could have a job they loved, but he thought it was curious how Josie loved doing this even though it stressed her out physically.
Though you wouldn’t know it when looking at how she smiled and laughed with the people she was serving.
He couldn’t wait to bring her back to his place and tie her in ropes. The more he thought about it, the more he craved it.
“I’m so sorry!” A chubby woman with a long ponytail rushed over to Josie.
“It’s okay, Avery.”
Ares frowned. Avery bailed on Josie and he couldn’t imagine why Josie was being so kind to her. He reminded himself that this was a catering event, and it wasn’t not life or death, unlike what he dealt with at Axis Management.
“No, it’s not! My mother broke her ankle. I just got out of the hospital and my phone was dead, so I couldn’t call to explain,” Avery took off her coat. “Let me go wash my hands and then you’re out of here. I got tomorrow covered.”
Ares suddenly liked Josie’s employee very much. “Thank you, Josie, will take you up on that.”
Avery’s mouth fell open as she glanced Ares up and down. “What are you doing here?’
“He’s filled in for you. You need to be with your mom tomorrow.”
“No, I don’t. My aunt is coming over and I’m not taking no for an answer. You are more than a fair boss, and I know this was your night off. Be right back!” Avery flitted away towards the bathroom.
“Pretty girl, looks like we have tomorrow together. Whatever will we do?”
“I can’t take her up on it, Ares. She’s stressed and I don't want her to feel like she has to cover for me.”
“She offered. You say, “Yes” and you spend the whole day in the mansion of the guy you’re dating. It’s a good deal.”
Her eyes sparkled with laughter and she covered her mouth as people glanced at her. “Fine. Can we swing by my house so I can grab a change of clothes and toiletries?’
“Yes, if you insist.”
“There! I’m good. Go! I got this from here. There’s Nancy!” Avery gently took the serving spoon out of Josie’s hand.
A slender woman with short brown waved. “I know I should have come over before but I’m kind of shy and when I didn't see Avery I hung back.”
“No problem. It’s nice to meet you,” Josie shook her hand. “You’re going to help?”
“Yeah. I waitressed in college and I have my food handler’s certificates.”
“Avery’s reference is good enough for me. Welcome,” Josie handed her a Josie’s Plates apron. Nancy grinned, clutching it in her hands. “Thank you.”
“I thank you as well. Now I’m free to take this woman on a date,” Ares folded up Josie’s stool, and offered her his arm. “Are you ready?”
“Avery, are you sure? If your mom needs you and you need to leave tonight or can’t come in tomorrow, I’ll be here in a flash.”
“We’ll be fine. Ares, take good care of her.”
“Oh, I plan to do exactly that.”
Josie took Ares’s arm, her eyes filled with desire as she glanced at him and he wanted to kiss her so badly, but waited until they were out in the cool night air.
Then he set her stool down, cupped both sides of her face in his hands, and brushed his lips against hers.
How he could stand next to this woman for three hours and not kiss her was a testament to his willpower.
“Hi,” she smiled at him.
“Hi. Let’s get you home, so I can take you home.”
They exchanged a grin and all his stress from the week melted. This woman was the balm he didn’t know he was longing for.
***
The minute Ares held open the patio doors for Josie and she was safely inside, he wanted to pin her against the wall and kiss her.
But he restrained himself. “You know what I learned tonight?” He offered her his arm as she took off her shoes.
“That you shouldn’t quit your day job?” She tipped her head, a sly smile on her lips.
He chuckled. “No. I mean, yes, that too. I’m better suited to business calls and pouring over financial reports than I am a server.
I learned I like not being recognized. I had that thought when we were at the Christmas Market but it hit home for me tonight when people asked me if I was an actor.
” Ares moved into the kitchen, the lights automatically coming on in a warm glow.
From the wine fridge, he took out his favourite bottle of rosé.
“Do you usually get recognized?”
“If I’m anywhere downtown, usually. If I’m with Logan, definitely, but Logan cultivates it. Have you seen his socials?”
“I’ll have to snoop.” Josie placed her hand on his arm. “Thanks for helping me tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” He pulled her close and kissed her, swallowing her exclamation of surprise. She kissed him back, her palms roaming over his chest. Holding this woman against him, the feel of her lips against his, felt like wearing his favourite suit. He never wanted to let her go.
He traced her tongue with his, devoured her lip as if he was starving, and kissed her hard, wanting her to emit another sound.
She did, whimpering breathlessly as she kissed back with the same urgency, pressing her breasts against his chest.
He cupped the back of her neck, changing the rhythm of the kiss to soft and gentle before breaking it off. He caressed the side of her neck and took her chin in his fingers, tipping her head to look at him. Her eyes shone bright he couldn’t wait to have his way with her.
“I want to see your body naked. I want to lavish you and kiss every part of you and then I want to slide into your hot pussy and fuck you.”
She bit her lip, two red spots on her cheeks. “Yes.”
He wanted to throw his head back and roar in triumph. He took her hand and led her to the stairs.
“That’s a lot of stairs,” she sighed.
“You probably don’t want me to carry you.”
“No. I can do this.”
Ares carried her bag, clutching the straps tightly to prevent himself from lifting her up in his arms.
At the top of the stairs, it took all of his willpower not to hurry ahead, but he couldn’t wait to show her his place.
“Through here.” He took her arm, leading her through the doors, down a hallway. “There is the gym,” he tugged her hand.
“This is big, open.”
“Yes. Next door leads to my study, then to my library.”
“I like books!” Josie stopped to glance in the doorway.
“So do I but I’m ready to bust a nut and the bedroom is the last door on the right.”
She ducked her head, but laced her fingers through his, glancing at him under her long eyelashes, she smiled. “Let’s go put you out of your pain then.”
Ares laughed, and holding her hand, he brought her into his bedroom. And he desperately wished he had hired a designer.