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.”

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. I needed the money that this terrible job provided. It was the

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

see by his

at three, not three minutes after three. This isn’t a difficult concept, so even you should understand it. If you are

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.

to eavesdrop. As my eyes continued to scan the room, I saw a few of the other

“Oh, and Sutton? Max has been waiting nearly a half hour for his drink.” Gabe shot me a

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

dark hair into a messy bun and secured it with a pen. Then I raced over to the bar and began

drink. Then I carefully balanced the tray on one arm and strode across the old wood planks completely unaware

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

“You alright?” he replied

him. Still handsome in his early fifties, Max had the look of someone that lived hard. I had heard any number of

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 were often groceries in the fridge when he left. Even after Mama died, Max still came in

“You need money?” he asked in his

the same way I always did. “Nah,

and went back to his drink. But I didn’t miss the slight twitch

I grabbed my notebook out of my apron and

day over seventy- five. Best friends, roommates, and having never married, you rarely saw one without the other. The ladies were in Abberly’s

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

that boss of yours to lose his boxers, I am betting that there is nothing spicy around

I gagged a little. “Eww!”

knew that Gabe got a kick out of the ladies thinking he

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

your way,” I said, pointing to the office. “Go get your man.”

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