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.”

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 only reason, I agreed to work

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

bringing home the big bucks. I could see by his reaction that

we pay you to be here at three, not three minutes after 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

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

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 were taken. Nothing too stressful.

Sutton? Max has been waiting nearly a half hour for his drink.” Gabe shot me a smug look when I immediately jumped into

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

Otterville Falls. In a rush, I wound my long dark hair into a messy bun and secured it with a

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

Maxie!” I called out with a wink, ignoring his growl of disapproval as I kissed his cheek.

alright?” he

nodded and moved back to get a good 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

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

money?” he asked in his gruff way.

I always did.

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

notebook out of my apron

been a day over seventy- five. Best friends,

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

have found a way to get that boss of yours to lose his boxers, I am betting that

I gagged a

With fake seriousness I warned her, “Alice! That’s sexual harassment.” Lord knew that Gabe

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

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

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