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.”

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 reason, the

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

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

after three. This isn’t a difficult concept, so even you should understand it.

always been good to me. Ruth Ann treated me like gold. Which was saying

my 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 scan the room, I saw a few of the other tables

waiting nearly a half hour for his drink.” Gabe

didn’t you say something instead of tearing up at me?” I grumbled just loud

A bubble of excitement lit inside of me. Max 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

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

out with a wink, ignoring his growl of disapproval

he

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

our trailer, I knew what was going on. But I also knew that Mama

“You need money?” he asked in his gruff

I always did. “Nah, I’m doing

didn’t miss the slight twitch to his lips that indicated

out of my apron and moved to

five. Best friends, roommates, and having never

you like the regular or do you want to spice things up?”

boss of yours to lose his

gagged a little. “Eww!”

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 was a hot stud. I personally couldn’t see what they were

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 your

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