Chapter 2
ARLO
Iwalk into the bar to prep for the lunch shift, and my breath hitches in my chest. I pause and lean against the bar, my gaze resting on the back of the woman who’s haunted my dreams for the last three months.
How could she not? Maggie’s short and curvy like a cute baby doll. She’s quiet and shy, but I bet there are hidden depths behind her observant brown eyes, which dart away every time I catch her looking at me.
I haven’t spoken to Maggie since she brought out the Strawberry Sins yesterday.
It’s no secret that the shy assistant cook aspires to move up in the kitchen.
One of the perks of the job is trying out the new desserts she spends her spare time making.
Travis is impressed, and I hope he gives her the promotion she deserves.
But it’s not the Strawberry Sins I’m thinking of as I watch her at the table in the restaurant corner.
Maggie’s positioned herself with her back to the bar looking out at the road and the view of the valley beyond.
She must have been here early doing food prep and is taking her break before the lunch rush starts.
Her chef’s hat is sitting on the table, and strands of hair fall from her sloppy bun and trail down her neck.
I’d love to sweep the tendrils up with my fingertips and feel the soft skin of her neck.
I’m not sure when I started having these thoughts about the shy assistant cook. I’m known for my ability to charm anyone, but every time I try to talk to her, she darts away. She’s a mystery to me, one I’m dying to unravel.
But I’m a patient man. We’re slowly getting to know each other, and I’ll bide my time until she’s ready.
I fix a hot chocolate with extra cream and marshmallows, her favorite, and take it over to the table.
She’s staring intently at her phone and doesn’t hear me coming. I don’t mean to sneak up on her, but as I come closer, she huffs and lifts her phone up.
There’s a picture of a bearded man with a face tattoo. She swipes left, and another man comes on screen, this one with a beard and a lopsided grin that promises far too much.
My blood floods with heat when I realize what she’s up to.
“You’re on a dating site?” The words slip out as emotion courses through me.
She spins around, making a surprised squeak, and her phone slips to the floor.
I’ve got no business getting in her business, but the thought of Maggie dating another guy has my blood boiling.
“Umm,” she squeaks. “I was just having a look.”
She leans down to get her phone at the same time as I do. I beat her to it and straighten up while holding the phone. With a few quick swipes, I’ve deleted the dating app.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Her forehead puckers, and her eyes flare. No one likes their phone being fucked with, but if Maggie’s going to date anyone, it’s going to be me.
I’ve been patient because she’s so shy, but I realize my mistake. She doesn’t need to look for a man when she’s got me right here.
“Too dangerous. You get all sorts of weirdos on those apps.”
She glares at me as I hand the phone back. The shy girl has a fiery side, and it looks like I’ve poked the mouse.
“I made you a hot chocolate.”
The glare softens but only slightly. I’ve never seen Maggie cross before, and my dick twitches at the sight of her puckered eyebrows. I’ll unpack that later.
Without being invited, I slide into the chair opposite hers.
Maggie doesn’t strike me as the kind of girl to go out looking for a man.
Kendra told me about the night they went out to a bar and how Maggie politely refused two drinks from strangers.
Good girl. I made Kendra promise if they went out again to let me know, so I can make sure I’m there to watch over her.
A sweet girl like Maggie has no business in a bar like the one in Wild.
Her cheeks are flushed a delicate pink that sets off the color of her plump lips.
She sips the hot chocolate, and a moustache of cream settles on her upper lip. Her tongue flicks out to swipe at the corners, and I have to stop myself from jumping across the table and licking the cream right out of her mouth.
“Why are you looking for a date?” It comes out as a growl that makes her eyes widen. It’s a personal question, but I’ve got to know. If she’s lonely, I’ll take her out.
Maggie looks at me for a long while, her chestnut eyes seeming to access me.
She gives a long sigh and looks down at the table. “It’s my mom.”
I’ve noticed Maggie on the phone with her mom before, usually wincing with one hand pressed to her forehead.
“She’s coming to visit this weekend.”
“And you’re looking to get yourself murdered before then so you don’t have to see her?”
I say it as a joke, but I’m still pissed that she would risk her safety with someone she met online.
Maggie shakes her head slowly. “I wish it was that easy.”
Her hands go to her face, and she groans. I wait for her to speak. In the three months since I’ve known Maggie, I’ve learned to talk less and listen more, which is hard for someone like me who likes to talk a lot.
“My mom’s always hassling me for not having a boyfriend. So I kind of told her I had one.”
She peers at me through the gaps in her fingers, waiting for my reaction.
A laugh bubbles up inside me as relief cools my bones.
“You’re looking for an instant boyfriend?”
She cringes. “I know. I shouldn’t have lied, but I didn’t think they were going to come to check him out.”
I laugh even more. She’s distressed by the situation, but she’s laughing too.
“And he has to have a beard and look like a murderer?”
“Murderer look is optional, but yeah. I might have said he has a beard.”
I tug on mine, wondering if she thought about me when she was describing this imaginary boyfriend.
Nah, I wouldn’t be so lucky. Maggie is shy and determined.
She’s career focused and doesn’t speak to anyone at the bar.
In fact, she avoids me when she can. I’m dreaming if I think she thinks about me at all.
But this is an opportunity I’m not going to miss.
“I’ve got a solution for you.”
She sits back and eyes me skeptically. “Tell Mom I’m into girls to get her off my back?” She’s funny when she’s not being shy. I like the banter.
“If it’s a fake girlfriend you want, then I can’t help. But if you want a fake boyfriend…”
I sit back and press my fingers to my chest then open my hands while raising my eyebrows.
She stares at me, and her mouth drops open.
“You?”
“Don’t look so horrified. I’ve got a beard, and I can charm anyone’s mother.”
I give her my best smile. I’m not a bar man for nothing. I love meeting people and can talk to anyone. That’s how I got my road name: Prince. It’s not because I’m royalty. It’s because I’m Prince fucking Charming.