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.”

ass. But the familiar grumbling of my stomach

turning back to glare at him, I answered smartly, “It’s three minutes after

wasn’t bringing home the big bucks. I could see by his reaction that I wasn’t far off the mark. Gabe looked ready to wring my bare neck. Well, good, I wouldn’t mind

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.”

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

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 of the

Sutton? Max has been waiting nearly a half hour for his drink.” Gabe

didn’t you say something instead of tearing up at me?”

was another 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 drink.

minutes, I went ahead and poured another drink. Then I carefully balanced the tray on one arm and strode across the old wood planks completely unaware that my shoe was untied. Tripping, I nearly ended up in Max’s lap. Thankfully the older man was deft enough to catch the

Maxie!” I called out with a wink, ignoring his growl of

“You alright?” he replied gruffly.

look at him. Still handsome in his early fifties, Max had the look of someone that lived hard. I had heard any number of rumors about him over the years. The people in Otterville Falls loved a good mystery and Max was one of the best.

town on his big motorcycle and stopped at our trailer, I knew what was going on. But I also

he asked in his gruff way.

the same way I always did. “Nah, I’m doing fine. Thanks,

and went back to his drink. But I didn’t miss the slight twitch to his lips that indicated a smile was lurking somewhere under all

my notebook out of my apron and moved to the next table.

I greeted Alice and Reena. The two elderly ladies couldn’t have been a day over seventy- five. Best friends, roommates, and having never married, you rarely saw one

I asked. “Would you like the regular or do you want to spice things

lips wickedly. “Unless you have found a way to get that boss of yours to lose his boxers, I am betting that

I gagged a little.

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 he

old lady lips lewdly, and I

said, pointing to the office. “Go get

me and turned back to her menu. “Maybe tomorrow. I am not