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.”

I hated the stupid son of a bitch. I hadn’t been late in over two years. I was so tempted to tell him what he could do with this job, and the stick lodged in his ass. But the familiar grumbling of my stomach forced me to hold my tongue.

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

I could see by his reaction that I wasn’t far off the mark. Gabe looked ready to wring

three. This isn’t a difficult concept, so even you should understand it. If you are unable to be on time for your shift, you can find somewhere else to work.”

I bet he 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 came from the wrong side of the tracks, but the wrong side of the blanket.

way past Gabe, I took in 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

nearly a half hour for his drink.” Gabe shot me a smug look

at me?” I grumbled just loud enough for Gabe to hear.

of my favorite people in Otterville Falls. In a rush, I wound my long dark hair into a messy bun and secured it with a pen. Then I raced over to the bar and began to pour Max a

I carefully balanced the tray on one arm and strode across the old wood planks completely unaware that my shoe was

with a wink, ignoring his growl of disapproval as I kissed

he replied

lived hard. I had heard

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 were often groceries in the fridge when he left. Even after Mama died, Max still came in town every few months to

“You need money?” he asked

the same way I always did. “Nah,

slight twitch to his lips that indicated

grin, I grabbed my notebook out of my

day over seventy- five. Best friends, roommates, and having never

the regular or do you want to spice

to lose his boxers, I am betting that there is nothing spicy around here going on at all.”

a little. “Eww!”

me to laugh. With fake seriousness I warned her, “Alice! That’s sexual harassment.” Lord knew that Gabe got a kick out of the ladies thinking

lady lips lewdly,

let me stand in your way,” I said, pointing

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