Bedding the Billionaire

Sutton

“You’re late, Sutton.”

I winced internally as I listened to my boss chastise me for being late. Flinging my bag under the dingy counter at Abberly’s bar, I looked up from my crouched position to see Gabriel Reece glaring at me.

Rather than answer him, I yanked my apron out of my bag and went to work tying it on. Sadly, the next time I glanced over at him it was just in time to see his nasty ass staring at the way my t-shirt pulled tight across my chest as I tried on my apron.

Perve.

“We have a start time for a reason, Sutton” he stated in that lofty tone of his.

Seriously, who was the man kidding? There wasn’t another soul in town who would put up with his shit and we both knew it.

“I’m sorry,” I grit out between clenched teeth. I knew better than to give an excuse, even if it was a valid one. Gabe didn’t care if I had an excuse, he just liked riding my ass. It started in Kindergarten and he hadn’t got bored of it yet.

“Look, this is getting to be a problem,” he began, scratching his chest. I didn’t even want to know what the stains were that currently decorated his shirt. There had been a time when Gabe was somewhat attractive. That time was long gone.

“I’m never late,” I started, but he cut me off with a raised hand.

“Sutton, Sutton, Sutton.”

I hated the way he said my name. It was as if he were speaking of dog poop or erectile dysfunction.

“Yes, Gabriel?” I answered frostily.

I could swear that there was a glint of smugness that entered into his cold eyes as he continued to stare me down. Finally, he spoke, “You are late—again. I told you the next time you came in here late I would be taking it off your wages.”

he could do with this job, and the stick lodged in his ass. But the familiar

back to glare at him, I answered smartly, “It’s three minutes after the hour, Gabe. What are you going to deduct, fifteen cents?”

I could see by his reaction that I wasn’t far

a difficult concept, so even you should understand it. If you are unable to be on time for your shift, you can

would love that. Gabe hadn’t always been the owner of Abberly’s. His mama, God rest her soul, had always been good to me. Ruth Ann treated me like gold. Which was saying something in this town, where I not only

the current customers. I smiled when I saw two of my favorite older ladies glancing surreptitiously over their menus, clearly trying to eavesdrop. As my eyes continued to scan the room, I saw a few

half hour for his drink.” Gabe shot me a smug look when I immediately jumped into action.

you say something instead of tearing up at me?” I

long dark hair into a messy bun and secured it with a pen. Then I

planks completely unaware that my shoe was untied. Tripping, I nearly ended

ignoring his growl of disapproval

he replied gruffly.

look of someone that lived hard. I had heard any number of

flipping idea even to this day. Max knew what Mama was, and when he rolled into town on his big motorcycle and stopped at our trailer, I knew what was going on. But I also knew that Mama never cried in the morning when Max stayed over, and there

he asked in

did.

drink. But I didn’t miss the slight twitch to his lips that

With a grin, I grabbed my notebook out of my apron and moved to the next table.

been a day over seventy- five. Best friends, roommates, and having never married, you rarely

it be?” I asked. “Would you like the regular or do

to get that boss of yours to

gagged a little.

Lord knew that Gabe got a kick out of the ladies thinking he was a hot stud. I personally couldn’t see what

licked her old lady lips lewdly, and I couldn’t control snort

“Don’t let me stand in your way,” I said, pointing to the office. “Go get

and turned back to her menu. “Maybe tomorrow. I am not feeling up to a workplace