Piece by Piece (Riggins Brothers 2)

“I just need to think.”

“Can you think while we lounge around in bed all day?”

“We can’t stay in bed all day,” she scoffs.

“Why the hell not? You’re off, and I’m here for you. My job at the hotel is complete until I get the final numbers. I say we order room service all day, and just spend the day together.”

“I— Can we really do that?” There’s a hint of hope in her voice.

“We can do whatever we want.” I kiss her cheek, move her off my lap, and set her on the bed before going to the windows and pulling the curtains.

“What are you doing?”

“Movies are better in the dark.”

“We’re watching movies?”

“Unless you had something else in mind?” I ask her, raising my eyebrows.

“No. Movies are good. It’s been ages since I’ve watched one.”

“How long is ages?”

I can tell she’s thinking from the look on her face. “Two years ago. Ronnie and Linda had me over for dinner and invited me to stay for a movie.”

“What do you watch when you’re at home?”

“Nothing. I have a few books I’ve read more times than I can count. I don’t pay for TV or the internet for streaming. Besides, I work a lot.”

“That—” I point at her. “—that is why you should accept my offer. I want you to be able to enjoy life, not working yourself to the point of exhaustion for a small wage and nothing to show for it.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I nod, accepting that answer for now.

Grabbing the remote, I climb into bed next to her and scroll through the movies. I choose a chick flick. It’s not one I’ve seen before, and I’m positive she’s not seen it either. Putting my arm around her shoulders, I pull her into my side as we settle in to watch the movie. I’ve never done this before either, and I’m looking forward to it. Anytime I can spend with her is a win in my book.Chapter 10LaylaI’ve been here for three hours of my twelve-hour shift, and I couldn’t tell you the first thing that’s happened. I’m going through the motions as I think about Owen, and our day together yesterday. We watched movies, ate way too much over-priced room service, talked for hours, and stole a lot of kisses. Technically, they’re not stolen when given freely. I could spend days doing nothing but kissing him. The scratchiness of his beard, the way his hands cradle my face, I feel protected. And the need he claims to have for me, I feel that too. From my head to my toes, I feel his need, his desire, and I want more.

“Layla, are you even listening to me?” Linda chuckles.

“Sorry, Linda,” I say sheepishly.

“What on earth has gotten into you?” she asks.

I bite down on my bottom lip, debating on how much I should tell her. “I met someone,” I blurt out.

“Oh, I heard. Rumor has it Mr. Tall, Bearded, and Handsome has been in here a lot on the nights you work.” She winks.

My face is hot from embarrassment. “He has. He always asks for me, and well, we’ve been spending some time together.”

“Why the long face?”

“He offered me a job,” I confess.

“Order up!” Johnny, one of the cooks, yells.

“That’s mine,” I tell Linda.

“Tonight, you and I are going to chat, sooner if we can both get a break later. I want all the details.” She offers me a warm smile, something I’ve come to accept with her.

“Okay.” I easily agree to her terms, because I need someone to talk to about this. Owen gave me Sawyer’s number, but she’s too close to him, to the situation. I guess Linda is too, but I trust her to give me her honest feedback to help me make my decision.

He goes home tomorrow. I feel a knot twist in my belly when I think about never seeing him again. Then, there is the home and the life I’ve made for myself here in Florida. It might not be a sprawling five-bedroom, but I have a place to lay my head at night. Sure, times are tight, but I’m making it on my own.

By the time the lunch rush is over, my feet are begging me for a break. I’m just about to clock out when I hear a familiar sexy voice from behind me at the bar.

“You taking a break?” he asks.

Turning, I see Owen standing at the bar, looking as handsome as ever. “Yes. We just finished the lunch rush. I was going to grab something to eat.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“You hungry?” I ask him.

His eyes rake over my body. “Sure. Whatever you’re having is fine. Oh, and it’s on me.”

“I get a discount because I work here. It’s my treat this time,” I tell him.

“Layla,” he warns.

That makes my smile grow. “Go sit.” I point to a small corner booth where the staff eats out of the view of customers. “I’ll be right over.” He shakes his head but does as I ask and heads toward the small corner booth.