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.”

to tell him what he could do with this job, and the stick lodged in his ass. But the familiar grumbling of my stomach

I answered smartly, “It’s three minutes

I hadn’t done the math. But at a waitressing hourly wage, I wasn’t bringing home the big bucks. I could see by his reaction that I wasn’t far

even you should understand it. If you are unable to

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

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 were taken. Nothing

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

didn’t you say something instead of tearing up at me?” I grumbled just loud enough for Gabe to hear.

of me. Max was another of my favorite people in Otterville Falls. In a rush, I wound my long dark hair into

that Max had already sat there for thirty 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 tray,

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

alright?” he replied gruffly.

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.

because honest to goodness I have no 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 were often groceries in the fridge when he left. Even after Mama died, Max still came in town every few months to check on me. I suppose you could say that he was the only father figure that I had ever

money?” he asked in his

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

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

of my apron and moved

as I greeted Alice and Reena. The two elderly ladies couldn’t have been a day over seventy- five. Best friends, roommates, and having

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

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

a

Lord knew that Gabe got a kick out of the ladies thinking he was a hot stud.

harass him—sexually,” she licked her old lady lips lewdly, and I couldn’t control snort of laughter

me stand in your way,” I said, pointing to the office.

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