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God, I’m such an idiot. For a moment, I thought maybe something was happening between Derek and me. The way he was looking at me was different from how he used to look at me. And it seemed as if he was jealous when his friends were flirting with me. He wasn’t just being protective like he’s always been, he was acting almost territorial. Like he was going to beat the guys up for merely smiling at me. Then when his hands began touching me the way they were, soft and caressing, I could have sworn he was interested.
But I shouldn’t have been listening to his body language and should’ve been listening to his actual language because he made it clear when he seethed the fact that I wasn’t his girl. He was angry about the misassumption his friend made because we’re family and nothing more. Yeah, I should’ve listened to those words because they were loud and clear. From what I just heard, I know I will never be anything more to him. Not just because he sees me as a little sister, but because according to Derek, he will never be in a relationship.
My stomach twists with that truth, my shaking nerves making it nearly impossible not to trip over my own two feet as I carry two beers over to the table I’m delivering to. I place one down and then go to set the second one down but I accidentally knock it over, spilling the entire thing onto the guy’s lap.
“What the fuck? You just spilled that shit all over me, you klutz!” The guy’s shout has me jerking back. I look at the giant mess I’ve made and then up at the seething man, not knowing what to do. I’d help him clean it up, but I’m not about to rub napkins all over his crotch in an attempt to dry the spot up.
“I’m so sorry. Here are some more napkins.” I quickly hand him a bunch from the little pocket belt wrapped around my waist. “I really am sorry. Tonight’s my first night serving, and I’m so nervous. Here, let me get you another beer.”
I turn to head back to the bar, but his words stop me.
“I don’t want you to get me a new one and spill another drink on me. I want you to get on your hands and knees and rub this shit off me until I’m all nice and dry.”
His angered glare turns into a nasty leer, and suddenly, I’m not just frazzled but incredibly uncomfortable. I’d usually be more than happy to put a perverted ass like him in his place, but I’m at work and this is my first night on the job. I don’t want to do anything to cause a scene and risk losing it. I’m already worried this little slip-up will be the first strike against me, and I’ll only have two more left. If I even get two more chances.
“You have two fucking seconds to pay your fucking bill and get the hell out of this place.” The deadly voice comes from directly behind my back and puts me at ease. I should probably be scared, considering how lethal Derek sounds right now, but I’m not. His arm wraps around my waist, and I melt back into his chest, feeling safe again.
But the guy I spilled the drink on, clearly doesn’t feel safe. He goes from looking like a vicious monster to a scared, weak little mouse. He quickly takes his wallet out and fumbles with the thing as he tries to pull some bills out with his butter fingers.
“Make sure you give her a big fucking tip, too, for making you all wet.” I have to bite back the giggle that wants to escape when I see the mouse digging back into his wallet for even more money. “And don’t you ever think about coming back here again, or you’ll be dealing with all of us.” Two more guys, who I’d just met tonight but can’t recall their names, step up to the table, and by the look on the mouse’s face, I think he’s about to have wet pants for an entirely different reason.
The jerk drops his money on the table and is out the door faster than I’ve ever seen a grown man run before.
“You okay, baby?”
I turn in Derek’s arms and look up at the man who has always had my back and has come to my rescue more times than I can remember. “Yes, I’m fine. Thanks for that. I’m so nervous, and I feel like I keep messing up. I really don’t want to lose this job, Derek, but maybe I’m not cut out for being a waitress. Maybe I should…”
He grips my chin and places his finger over my mouth, stopping me from continuing down my spiral of self-doubt.
“Baby, you’re doing great. But even if you do mess up, it’s okay. Trigger isn’t going to fire your ass over spilling a drink on a needledick little shit who deserved it.” I can’t help but smile at his chosen nickname for the jerk. “Look, if you spill a drink, let the house cover the check. If you mess up an order, give them a round on the house. If you forget something, bring double when you return. And if you get held up and make someone wait too long, then bring a couple of free shots when you finally make it to the table. There are always ways to fix your mistakes, and whatever you see fit to make the customer happy, Trigger will be fine with.”
He brushes my cheeks with the side of his thumbs, and between their soft touch and his sweet words, I’m all kinds of warm and gooey inside. “Just promise me that if anyone ever makes you feel uncomfortable, gives you shit, or makes some crude comment, you let me know. And if I’m not here, you tell one of my men. I won’t stand for anyone disrespecting my girl. You hear me?”
And those two words make my panties melt. I want to be his girl. I want to be his in every way.
I nod, and then watch as his lips curve up into the sexiest smile.
“Now, are you going to get back to work and show them who’s boss around here?”
“Yes, sir.” I tip my chin. “I sure am.”
“That’s my girl.” He winks, and once again, my panties are taking the hit from the effect he’s having on my body.
With a slap on my butt, he sends me back to my tables. And by the end of the night, I’m no longer nervous. I actually feel like I’ve gotten the hang of being a server. But I definitely haven’t gotten a grip on my feelings. If anything, they’ve only grown more intense over the last few hours as Derek has kept his eyes locked on me, making me feel secure and protected, and all kinds of tingly inside.
When my shift is over, I say goodnight to Riley and Maisy, who are quickly becoming good friends, before heading out. The moment I’m out the door, I’m grabbed around the waist and pressed against the side of the building. If it weren’t for the familiar smell I know and love so much, I’d be alarmed. But the only part of me alarmed right now is the one between my legs. Plus, I knew Derek was going to be out here waiting for me since he told me he would be.
He wraps himself around me, enveloping my entire body in his massive frame as he nuzzles into the side of my neck. It’s like he can’t get close enough. As if he’s breathing me in.
“Damn, baby. I missed you so much.”
For some reason, he was really busy with the club during the past few years and couldn’t show up for me, but tonight, he had my back. And right now, it feels like I’m the most important thing in his life again. It feels like if he had had his way, he wouldn’t have stayed away for so long.
“I missed you, too, Derek.” I wrap my arms tighter around him, and practically moan as his lips brush against my neck while he snuggles in even closer.
“Baby, we need to talk.” His words come out on hard breaths, and the sexy sound of his raspy voice sends my body up in flames, dousing my panties like a firehose.
“What about?” My voice comes out just as breathless. His hands are gripping and tugging at my waist like he needs me even closer. Mine are latched onto his back, trying to keep him locked in place.
