Chapter Two
Chapter Two
“JAX, THE TWO LADIES ATthe end of the bar asked about you.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see two attractive women sipping on pi?a coladas. One was blonde, petite features and her hair up in some kind of bun. The other had reddish-blonde hair that was pulled up into a bun, as well, but had some sticks poking out on each side.
“Have at it, Chuck,” I said, turning back to focus on the drinks I was making for an older couple sitting in front of me.
“I don’t get it. These women practically throw themselves at you, and you have no interest.”
I laughed. “They’re probably here for what, a few days to a week? I’m not interested in one-night stands.”
“That’s not what you said when you first came here,” Chuck said as he popped the lid off of a beer and handed it to a guy.
“Well, that wore off quick.”
He shook his head and hit me on the back. “Fine, I’ll tell them you’re gay so I have a chance at one of them. If I’m lucky, both.”
I rolled my eyes and brought the drinks over to the couple. “Here you go. Two French 75s.”
They each took the drink and thanked me before sliding me a tip and making their way over to a table.
When I turned around, Chuck was staring after the two girls looking utterly rejected.
“What happened?” I asked as I slapped him on the back.
“They’re here with another friend. They finished their drinks and were heading to the beach to look for her.”
“You score a number?” I asked as I started to clean some of the glasses.
“I did,” he said with a smile and held up a napkin. “Parker.”
“Was she the one with the sticks in her hair?” I asked.
Chuck laughed. “No, she was the other one. Listen, I’m out of here. You got this?”
I nodded. We were an hour away from closing, and the bar was usually slow as people started to make their way back to their cottages to get ready for dinner or a night out.
I’d been working at Cottages for a year now. Last month my boss promoted me to manager over the pool bar, which was called Flippers. I told myself I would do this for a year, then reevaluate my life and where I wanted to go from here. I enjoyed working at the bar, loved living on the beach, and dreaded the idea of going back to my old life. I had walked away from a promising career, a girlfriend who only had marriage on her mind, and a future I knew I didn’t want. I escaped to the Keys, which after moving here I had realized I wasn’t the only one who sought out a new life. The pay was good, the living environment amazing, and the women…endless. That part got old real quick and I made a vow to myself I wouldn’t go out with any of the tourists. So far, I hadn’t been tempted to break my own rule.
“Excuse me, is this the only pool bar?”
I turned to see the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on standing there with a frustrated look on her face. She was glancing around the bar clearly looking for someone.
Don’t be a boyfriend you’re looking for!
I paused for a moment. Hell, I had just been bragging about how I hadn’t broken my no-dating-a-guest rule, and all I could think about was how it would destroy me if this woman was here with a guy.
Clearing my throat, I walked up to her. “It is. Looking for someone?”
She sighed as she slowly shook her head. “Five minutes late. I was just five minutes late and they left!”
I raised a brow. “They?”
Sliding onto the barstool, she set her hat down on the bar, giving one more look before her gaze landed on me. Her eyes did a quick sweep, and I had to hand it to her, she kept her expression pretty neutral except for the slight widening of her eyes. Most women openly gawked at me. I wasn’t an idiot, I knew I was good looking. I had a mirror and plenty of women, and some men, telling me so.
“Um…yeah. I was supposed to meet my two best friends here, and it appears they left without me.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Girls’ trip?”
She tilted her head slightly and stared at me.
“What’s wrong? Something on my face?” I asked as I ran my hand over my face.
Laughing, she said, “No. It’s just…I’ve never seen such beautiful eyes before. It’s rare you see a green like that. Hazel, yes, but not green like a spring meadow.”
“A spring meadow?” I asked with raised brows.
Her cheeks turned a bright pink. “I’m sorry, I should have kept my thoughts to myself.”
I leaned my elbows on the bar and studied her. “Blue, like the Caribbean. That’s how I would describe your eyes.”
Glancing down at the bar, she let out a nervous laugh. “I guess I deserve that.”
When she looked up, I was struck by how insanely beautiful she was. And she had no makeup on, which was rare for most women. I could see the light dusting of freckles across her nose and it was adorable as fuck.
“It was a compliment. Your eyes are beautiful.”
She dug her upper teeth into her lower lip and I knew by the innocent look she wore she had no idea how fucking sexy it was. I wanted to reach out and pull her lip free.
“Thank you. So are your eyes. I’ve never been to the Caribbean. Most people tell me my eyes look like the sky.”
I nodded as our gazes locked. “Maybe, but the blue in the sky is deeper. Do they change colors?”
“Not that I know of,” she said on a nervous laugh. “Why are we talking about our eyes?”
Shrugging, I tossed a hand towel over my shoulder. “Beats me. You brought it up.”
Shaking her head as if clearing some thought away, she sighed as she looked down toward the beach. “I guess they went to the beach without me.”
“You’re not going to join them?”
When she focused back on me, she shook her head. “By the time I get there, set everything up, Lori and Parker will want to leave and go to dinner. I’ll just grab a drink and wait for them to walk back by.”
“I think my co-worker might have gotten the number of one of your friends. He said her name was Parker.”
“Blonde, little, cute as a button?”
“Um, I think so, and her friend looked like she stuck chopsticks into her bun.”
The blue-eyed beauty laughed. “That would be Lori. The one with the chopsticks I mean. It somehow magically holds her hair up in a bun. Don’t ask me how.”
Smiling, I asked, “Would you like something to drink?”
Her shoulders sagged slightly and she grinned. It struck me how her smile seemed to brighten the entire area around her.
“I would love something to drink. Cape Cod, please.”
“Coming right up.”
It was nice to see she hadn’t ordered some fruity bullshit drink that nearly all the tourists ordered. I poured the vodka into a glass, then the cranberry, and finished it off with a lime twist.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you so much,” she said as she took a sip. “Where is everyone? I figured it would be crowded, especially with it being so close to the Fourth of July.”
“The bar closes at six, and around five, people start heading back to their rooms to get ready for dinner or a night out.”
She nodded and glanced toward the beach, then back to me. “So you said your co-worker got Parker’s number?”
I was cleaning the last of the glasses as I looked up at her. “He did.”
Something crossed her face as she stared down at her drink.
“Hey,” I said as I wiped my hand with a dishtowel. “Chuck is a good guy. I have to be honest and say I’m sure he’s only planning on a one-time thing.”
She waved her hand. “Oh, I don’t think Lori or Parker are here looking for anything other than the sun, the sand, and some dick.”
I nearly choked on my own spit. “Wow. Direct and to the point. I like it. And you?”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’m simply looking for some peace and quiet, a little touristy stuff, and a chance to read a few books that I don’t have to memorize for a test.”
My brows rose in question.
“I just finished nursing school. It’s one of the reasons we’re here this week. Celebrating being out of school and becoming official adults.”
I lifted my glass of water. “Well, let’s toast to you finishing nursing school. Congratulations…?”
She grinned. “Amelia Baker.”
“Congratulations, Amelia. And my name is Jaxon Briggs, but you can call me Jax.”
Her teeth dug into her lower lip once again as she lifted her glass and clinked it against mine. “Thank you, Jax.”
Hell, I liked the way my name sounded coming from those pretty pink lips. An image of them wrapped around my cock had me clearing my throat and pushing that thought away.
What the hell, Jax?
“What do you have planned while you’re here?”
She opened her bag and pulled out a notebook. “Well, I have a tour planned for tomorrow. And then there are a few restaurants I’d like to go to while we’re here. I really wanted to try Latitudes, but they are booked up for weeks in advance.”
“Yeah, they’re the most booked restaurant in the Keys.”
Her lower lip jutted out into a pout, and I nearly moaned at the sight of it. I quickly got to work cleaning up while Amelia told me all the plans she had while they were here. I never even entertained the idea of hooking up with guests anymore, so I wasn’t sure why I was being pulled to her. I mean, she was beautiful, there was no doubt about that, but there was something else about her I couldn’t put my finger on. I wanted to learn more about her. Spend time with her.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Keep focusing on the glasses, Jax. Wash the glasses.
The sound of laughter caused us both to turn and see Lori and Parker walking back up from the beach, two guys on either side of them.
“Mel! There you are. We’d been wondering where you were!” Lori stated as she rushed over to her friend. “Why didn’t you come to the beach?”
Amelia took in the two men before turning her attention back to her friend. “I figured you wouldn’t be at the beach long and would most likely want to go eat.”
Parker groaned. “I’m starving! And, girl, you look hot in that bikini! You should have come down to the beach!”
The two guys who were with Lori and Parker let their gazes drag up and down Amelia, who seemed to be uncomfortable with the attention. She looked down at the ground before she looked at her friends once again.
Lori spun around and looked at the guy on her side. “You’d never know it, but Mel used to weigh like two-hundred pounds.”
Amelia’s mouth fell open as Parker slapped Lori on the back of the head. “What in the fuck, Lori?”
Lori covered her mouth and turned to Amelia. “I’m sorry, Mel. I think you look amazing and you should be proud of it. You’re always hiding your body.” She turned to the guy. “She has a nice body, doesn’t she?”
“Lori,” Amelia warned.
The guy grinned. “Fuck yeah, she does. You’re hot as hell.”
Amelia blushed and turned to Parker with a pleading expression.
“Tim and Drake invited us out to dinner. Want to come?” Parker asked, clearly trying to change the subject.
“And be the fifth wheel? No, thanks. I think I’d rather have a nice quiet evening to myself.”
“Party pooper!” Lori said as she turned to me and smiled. “You could ask the handsome bartender out to dinner.”
“Oh my God,” Amelia said as Parker grabbed Lori by the arm.
Giving a glaring look at Lori, Parker said, “Tim, Drake, we’ll meet you in the lobby in thirty minutes.”
They both smiled and then turned to Amelia. “Will you be joining us? We’re here with a few other friends, and I’m sure we can talk one of them into joining us for dinner.”
I wasn’t sure if it was Tim or Drake who asked.
Amelia gave him a pleasant smile. “No, I think I’ll pass.”
Parker sighed and said, “Mel, please come out to dinner.”
With a look that said she wasn’t going to argue, Amelia turned away and picked up her drink, finishing it off.
“Another one?” I asked.
“Please.”
Parker must have realized she wasn’t going to get anywhere. “Fine. I’ll text you where we’re going.”
“Sounds good,” Amelia said, not bothering to look at either friend as they headed off toward the cottages.
After the four of them were out of earshot, I said, “That’s kind of a shitty thing to do. Leave you alone on your first night here.”
She gave me a weak smile. “I’m used to it. When we were in college, they would get hit on all the time while I sat at the table and watched them have a good time.”
“Why weren’t you having a good time?”
With a sigh, she let out a humorless laugh. “I was stressed all through college, and eating was my coping mechanism. You know how they say the freshman fifteen? Mine was more like the freshman fifty. I got up to around a hundred and ninety pounds, and trust me when I say that college guys aren’t interested in the fat friend.”
“Don’t say that,” I quickly said. “Just because a woman is not a certain size doesn’t mean she isn’t beautiful. I’ve seen women of all shapes and sizes here on the island. Putting yourself down because you’re not the same size as your friends doesn’t do you, or other women that size, any good.”
Amelia tilted her head and regarded me. “Do you really mean the words coming out of your mouth right now?”
I laughed. “I do. I know some guys don’t think like I do, but I’ve met a number of beautiful women while working here.”
“You must get a lot of action then,” she said with a wink while she took a sip of her drink.
“Not with tourists.”
Her brows raised, and I quickly corrected myself.
“I mean, no. Not that I’m a saint, but I make it a rule not to sleep with tourists, and I cannot even remember the last time I went on a date.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“Why not sleep with tourists, or why not date?”
She smiled. “Both.”
“Don’t get me wrong, when I first moved here I had my fair share of good times. Look around. There are a lot of tourists, and a lot of women, looking to have a fling. I’m no longer into one-night stands.”
Her eyes narrowed as if she was attempting to assess if I was feeding her a line of bullshit.
“And as far as dating goes, I haven’t really met anyone I’m interested in. Living here on the island, most of the locals here I work with.” I shrugged. “I don’t want to mix business and pleasure.”
After a few moments she nodded. “That’s fair enough. Don’t you get lonely, though?”
My eyes met hers, and I swore something cracked in the air between us. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt like I could open myself up with Amelia.
“I do. And that is why I’m at a crossroads in my life right now.”
She leaned forward. “Oh, tell me what it is?”
I laughed as I reached up and turned off the lights that lit up the name of the bar.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to be the manager here.”
“Congratulations,” she said as she held up her nearly empty glass.
Picking up my water, we clinked glasses. “Thank you, but I’m not sure I’m going to take it.”
“Don’t want the responsibility?” she asked.
I shook my head. “Nah, nothing like that. I’ve been hiding, I guess you could say.”
“From what?”
Sighing, I pushed my hand through my hair and watched as her eyes watched the action. “Life?”
Amelia laughed. “That’s a broad answer, Jax. What are you hiding from down here in the Keys?”
My eyes met hers. “I don’t know. I thought I’d have the answers I was looking for by now, but maybe I’m looking in the wrong place.”
Her eyes filled with compassion, but she didn’t say anything.
“Listen, I can’t stand the idea of you spending your first night here alone and stuck in your room. Let me take you to dinner.”
Sitting up straighter, she attempted to look confused, but I could see the tinest hint of interest in those blue eyes of hers.
“I thought you didn’t hook up with the tourists.”
Leaning over the bar, I motioned with my finger for her to get closer. When she leaned in, I said, “It’s just dinner. Nothing else.”
Her cheeks blushed and she sat back. “God, I’m so embarrassed. Of course, you’re simply being polite.”
Aw shit, she thought I wasn’t interested in her. Fuck.
“I’m not simply being polite. If I was a guest here I’d be trying like hell to get you to go back to my place.”
Her brows shot up.
I closed my eyes and laughed. “I just made myself sound like a complete asshole.” Looking at her and seeing her smile, I added, “I think you’re beautiful and you really do look good in that bikini. I want to get to know you more, and I guess a part of me doesn’t want you sitting all alone on your first night in the Keys. Please, let me take you to dinner?”
Amelia chewed on her lip for a few moments before she said, “Okay. Dinner it is. What time?”
“Seven?”
She smiled. “What should I wear? Casual? Beachy?”
I let my eyes take her in once again. She had slipped off the stool so I was able to get a better look at her.
“Sundress?”
“Heels?”
Only because I wanted to see her in heels, I said, “Yes.”
A wide smile erupted over her face. “Where should we meet?”
I was glad to see she hadn’t given me her cottage number. I’d seen too many women toss out their information to strangers, and I never understood why they would tell someone they just met where they were staying.
“Is the lobby okay?”
She nodded. “I’ll see you at seven in the lobby.”
“See you then, Amelia.”
Her cheeks turned pink once again as she placed money into the tip jar and turned to walk away. I watched her as she headed off toward the guest cottages, and for some crazy reason, I held my breath.
When she glanced back at me over her shoulder, I expelled it and smiled.
Pulling out my phone, I hit Luke’s number.
“Hey, Jax.”
“Hey, I’m calling in that favor you owe me.”