“Yes, ma’am. Thank you!”
I couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t even asked me my name, much less my age, but she’d actually hired me. Before she had a chance to change her mind, I darted to the back and grabbed an apron. I’d just started to wrap it around my waist when the sound of a man’s voice caught me by surprise. “Can I help ya with somethin’, darlin’?”
I spun around and was surprised to find a tall, handsome stranger leaning against the sink with a sandwich in his hand. He was wearing jeans with a black leather jacket, and behind his thick beard, he was sporting a sexy smirk. I could feel the heat of his stare as he stood there ogling me like a I was his next big conquest. I had no idea who the guy was, so I decided it was best not to respond with the smartass comment that was sitting on the tip of my tongue. I quickly swallowed my words back, then smiled and said, “No, I was, ah ... I was just grabbing an apron.”
“An apron? What for?”
“So, I can get to work,” I answered, sounding snippier than I’d intended. “The owner just hired me as a waitress...I think?”
“No shit?”
“You sound surprised.”
“’Cause I am.”
“Why?” The guy didn’t even know me, so it was difficult not to take offense to his tone. “You don’t think I can handle it?”
“No, not saying that at all.” He took another bite of his sandwich, then tossed the remains in the sink. As he took a step over to me, he shrugged and said, “Just surprised Gran actually hired someone to help her around here. Stubborn ass likes to think she can handle it all on her own, but that crowd out there shows otherwise. Hell, she’s barely able to keep up.”
“Wait, she’s your grandmother?”
“Yeah, but let’s keep that between us.” He chuckled under his breath. “She doesn’t want me or my brothers scaring off her clientele.”
I glanced over my shoulder to take a quick look at the wide variety of roughnecks that filled the bar and smiled. “I don’t think she has anything to worry about.”
“You might be surprised.” His smile returned as he looked down at me and asked, “You got a name?”
“Marlowe.”
“I’m Country.”
“Hi, Country. Nice to meet ya.”
“Nice to meet you, too, doll. Would be even nicer if we could spend a little quality time together. Maybe over a couple of beers at my place.” His eyes slowly skirted over me. “What do you say?”
Even though he was unbelievably hot, there was no way I could get involved with the boss’s grandson—not when she was the only one around who’d even considered giving me a job. There was just too much at stake. I had no other choice but to turn him down. I just had no idea how. I could tell he wasn’t the kind of man who took no for answer, so my response had to be a good one. Before I had a chance to really think it through, I answered, “Sorry. I have plans with my girlfriend tonight.”
“Your girlfriend?” His brows furrowed with disbelief. “You mean with one of your gal pals or your legit girlfriend?”
It might’ve been wrong to mislead him, but I had to make sure he wouldn’t try asking me again in the future. Not wanting to lie any more than I already had, I cocked my eyebrow and just glared back at him. Taking my lack of response as an answer, he crossed his arms and huffed. “No shit.” He shook his head and smiled. “Sure didn’t see that one coming.”
“Thanks for the offer, though. It was really sweet of you.”
“Nothing sweet about me or my invitation.” He gave me a wink, then turned for the back door. “Good luck, kid. You’re gonna need it.”
As he disappeared out the back door, I noticed the words Ruthless Sinners MC were embroidered on the back of his leather jacket. It wasn’t until that moment I realized what he’d meant by brothers. I’d later find out Country’s particular MC was one of the most dangerous in the South, but for the time being, he was just the owner’s grandson, and I was her employee.
When I finally made it back out to the bar, the owner gave me a disapproving look as she said, “Was beginning to think you got lost back there.”
“No, ma’am. I was just talking to your ...” Remembering Country’s warning about calling him her grandson, I cut myself off short. “I…uh...I got sidetracked with Country.”
“Hmph. Best watch yourself with him.” When she noticed the surprised look on my face, she shook her head and said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
I didn’t know how to respond, so I simply smiled and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
“None of that ‘ma’am’ stuff. Everyone ’round here calls me Gladys.” She grabbed a cleaning rag from the sink and offered it to me. “Those tables aren’t gonna clean themselves.”