Chapter One
Addie
Most of my best memories come from some old dirt road at twilight. Which is why I can’t explain my bliss balancing a tray on my palm as I walk through the biggest country club Colorado has ever seen. It’s even more complicated that it’s a new addition to my childhood home, Rugged Mountain. A place where generations of my family grew and raised families of their own. Now, The Barnyard caters to people not looking for that small town life, but rather a crazy nighttime atmosphere. Thankfully, I can keep my two worlds separate on opposite sides of the mountain.
When I get to the table I’m delivering drinks to, I smile and settle long necks in front of the couple. I’ve never seen them before. Between my day job at the diner and this one, I feel like I’ve met everyone that comes up on this mountain. This place is completely different from the diner, though. For one, it’s set off away from the main part of town. I’m not sure if it was intentional to give some distance to our small community or no one would sell space to a club. Second, this place is trendy. There’s a mahogany wood bar, big string lights, a wood pine dance floor, a mechanical bull, a stage with a band playing country music, and big, wide beams that hang above that make the place seem like a big old barn. Plus, the tips are better than the diner. Sure, I have to wear this super short skirt and I unbutton my shirt a few more notches, but it’s worth it. I make triple the cash in two hours less, and I get to look at Declan Myers.
Granted, he’s a supreme tyrant with a grandiose complex that I’m sure rivals Stalin, but his shoulders are wide and his biceps flex through the white button down he wears, threatening the fabric with each bend of his elbow. Even with silver threads running through his black hair, he’s more attractive than any man I’ve ever seen.
The hard work mentality that he has doesn’t end at work. He carries it into his personal life as well. He’s disciplined and tenacious. It makes me wonder what else he’d be tenacious with.
I set my tray back onto the bar and rattle off an order to Violet, who’s been bartending here since her twenty-first birthday six months ago.
She runs her hand back through her short black hair and grabs a bottle of vodka off the shelf behind her. “Has your dad found out you’re here yet?”
I bite the inside of my cheek and sigh. “Not yet. I need to tell him before someone in town recognizes me and mentions it. You know how fast news spreads around here.”
Her dark eyes widen, and she nods, mixing grapefruit juice into the shaker. “You’re telling me! Ever since I quit college, I’ve been getting the third degree daily. Apparently, no one thinks I can make a career from that hiking guide thing, but I’ve had like three calls already this week from tourists looking for a guide. Plus, I meet people here daily that want to take a walk alone in the woods.” She laughs. “You know what I mean.” Before she says another word, her eyes gaze up and away from me. It’s then that heat grows behind me that wasn’t there before. I see it in her eyes that it’shim. His big, strong body is heaving behind me.
“What are we doing, ladies?” Declan’s voice is so deep he’s almost growling when he talks.
My stomach turns and my eyes meet Violet’s.
“Just finishing up a drink, Declan,” Violet chirps, busying herself again with my salty dog.
“What about you, Addie?” Even when he’s angry, the way he says my name is enticing.
God, what’s wrong with me? I shouldn’t like the way my boss says my name. I shouldn’t think about the way he looks.
I grip the edge of the bar and spin toward him with a smile, hiding every bit of tragic yearning I have for him. At least I’m trying to, anyway. Today, that white shirt seems tighter somehow.
“I was just waiting for my drink, sir.” Sir, I’d like to say that name again and again, but in different faculties. “It’s a busy night.”
A faint smile lifts his face. “I like to keep it that way. Do you know how we do that?”
“Fast service?”
He nods. “You’re quick. And how do we ensure fast service, Ms. Baxter?”
I bite my bottom lip and stare up at him. I don’t like getting ordered around, but somehow with him, it’s… different. His voice is smooth, and the words are somehow warm despite their cold intent.
“Actually,” I say, staring up into his dark eyes, “the customers like it when they see us smiling and interacting. It makes them feel at home.”
“But they aren’t at home. They’re at a bar. They want their drinks fast.”
I grin. “Also, this is a small town. People expect this kind of comradery between employees.” My heart is set on rabbit, thumping wildly against my rib cage. I’m not sure why I’m defending my actions, but I like watching him think.
He looks away, then swipes his thumb over his beard. “You use this small-town excuse with everything. You realize that, right? Last week, you told me that inviting the delivery man in for a free beer was customary small-town behavior.”
I nod. “Because it’s true. That man was working hard! He deserved a break.” I stare up at him, unsure of what he’s going to say next. I’ve questioned him, and I know he doesn’t like to be questioned.
His strong hand wraps around my wrist. I knew he was big, but having his hand on me is alarming. He’s a giant. And though I’m not a small girl, next to him, I feel dainty. His eyes fix with mine and his thumb brushes over the top of my wrist.
My clit throbs. It shouldn’t be throbbing. I should be appalled that my boss is touching me. That he grabbed me so harshly that he’s holding me in place. I should kick him and disentangle myself from his touch. But my body knows better, and I swear, I lean in closer just to get a deeper sniff of the cedar and spice in his scent. Ugh, he’s heaven.
“You’re going to be the fucking death of me, Ms. Baxter.” His stare sits on mine before a sly grin creeps onto his face.
Dizziness washes over me. What does he mean by that? He’s saying it with a tone of both desperation and anxiety. And I swear there was a twinge of longing in his glance.