Sir Loin of Beef (Grade-A Beefcakes 1)

“Hey, Melanie,” I called to the woman behind the registration desk when the entry doors slid closed behind me. She’d had the morning shift and I was replacing her. With the library closing early on Fridays, I was able to work both jobs and was thankful my boss was so accommodating.

“Thanks for filling in for me yesterday afternoon,” she said, giving me a warm smile.

In her thirties, she had twin boys who’d been in a summer camp talent show. I had a meager bank account that needed an infusion of extra cash. After working at the library yesterday, I’d been able to come over and cover for her before I went to meet Ava at Cassidy’s. Twenty-four hours and two orgasms later, it felt like everything had changed. And yet, nothing had. Not really.

Okay, it had, but I needed to let it go. The Dukes hated me and always would. When Landon told Jed who I really was, he’d agree. A make-out session wasn’t going to change that. One thing I learned from my dad was that you couldn’t go back in time. I couldn’t take away the kisses or the orgasms, not any of it. Not that I really wanted to, because while Landon hated me because of who I was, there had been a moment when we—all three of us—had been anonymous strangers who’d had a connection. Lust. Pure and simple desire and nothing more. Life hadn’t gotten in the way of our instant attraction. It had been… real. For the briefest of moments, absolutely perfect. And while totally slutty and hot, it was exactly what I’d always dreamed of. And I’d never want to change that.

“I told you yesterday it was no problem.” I went around the counter into the back office to clock in and put my purse in my locker.

“Cassidy’s must have been fun last night,” she said, coming to stand in the doorway, watching me but ready to return to the counter if someone came in. “Meet someone cute, I hope?”

“Oh?” I asked, my heart lurching. At the same time, I was completely confused how she knew about Landon and Jed. She hadn’t been there. I wasn’t sure what to say. Saying too much would be dangerous, and I was on the verge of crying already. I could lose my job if I were a blubbering mess.

She pointed to the small desk where we ate our meals at break time. “Those flowers are for you.”

I glanced at the dozen red roses. They were lovely and, for a second, I had a burst of hope they might be from Landon and/or Jed.

Going over to the bouquet, I found the card, opened the little envelope.

“Tell me about him. Is he cute?” She waggled her eyebrows as she grinned. Happily married, she was eager to see me with a man, too. And one who gave flowers.

Not Landon or Jed. Of course, they weren’t. No guy gave flowers to a woman he hated. Roger had sent the flowers. Instantly, I felt sick.

We aren’t done.

That was all the card said, but I knew it was him.

Landon, Jed and I were so done, that couldn’t be any more obvious. But I knew for a fact Roger didn’t think we were finished. I’d dated him twice. I’d gotten a weird feeling the first night, the way he’d ordered for me, told me when our second date was instead of asking. I’d agreed to a second because a friend from work had made the connection, wanting to give him another chance before I ruled him out completely. A lunch date. What could happen on a lunch date, right?

Over sandwiches at the deli down the street from the library, he’d expressed that I was The One. That we’d get married as soon as I lost twenty-five pounds so I’d look good on his arm. As a dentist in town, he’d felt it important his wife made a good impression. That I wasn’t going to find anyone better since I was Don Leary’s daughter.

Whatever, and what an asshole.

I’d told him it wasn’t going to work out. Thanks, but no thanks. I’d put money on the table for lunch. Then left.

When we’d first met, I thought he was handsome, but in a… plastic sort of way. Sleek hair with more hair product than I used, a perfect smile with bleached teeth—a perk of being a dentist. I should have known from the tick in his jaw and the way his cheeks turned a mottled red at my ‘break up’ that he didn’t like to be turned down, that he had a darker side. That there was more to his controlling nature than just his issue with my weight. If he wanted someone better, someone not a Leary, he should have just gone for her. But no. He was sticking with me.

And that had been six weeks ago. Since then, besides the flowers, I’d received texts, a note on my front door and a visit to the library.

Fortunately, it had been a busy Saturday morning when he showed up and there’d been a large group of children in the room for story and sing-along time. He’d left and that was the last I’d seen of him.

I was fearful of him and with these flowers, was more freaked out than ever. I’d even told the police, but they’d said unless he’d committed a crime, there was nothing they could do. And he hadn’t done anything illegal, just overstepped. And they, too, remembered the Leary name all too well.

And these flowers proved he wasn’t done. I just didn’t understand why he’d even want me if he didn’t like the way I looked. That I wasn’t good enough for him as I was. It made no sense.

“Roger,” I told Melanie, who’d been waiting.

Her eagerness slipped away. “Oh. You need to tell that man off and find yourself a real man.”

A real man. The first thing that popped into my head was Landon Duke. Now he was a real man. Seriously. Rugged. Rough. Dominating, yet protective and surprisingly gentle. Then there was Jed. Laid back, demanding. Ripped. Neither were anything like Roger. I had to give Landon credit; I knew exactly where I stood with him. I knew he liked my curves, liked my glasses. He made me feel… pretty. Jed, too.

How had I ever thought Roger the least bit handsome after seeing/kissing/touching Landon Duke and Jed Cassidy? How had I ever thought I’d be lucky enough to be with two men, not just one. I had a feeling—even though it was clear what Landon thought of me—I was truly ruined for other men just from our brief time together.

Roger had been rig

ht. What man would want a Leary? While I had zero interest in settling for a creep like Roger just because he’d have me, maybe I was doomed in Raines.

I sighed. “I’ll work on that. Go home. I’ve got things here.”