She looks away quickly, handing Champ his change. She gives him a belittling wink before taking the next order.
I’m impressed. But it’s short lived as I hear breaking glass and look over to see a couple of bulls locking horns. I rush towards them, taking charge of the situation. “In the ring, assholes! Not in the middle of my bar!”
We have a rule: you wanna fight, get in the ring. It’s impossible to cater to minotaurs without there being violence. So, in order to combat it, I designated a place in our fenced in courtyard where I built a small ring for the bulls to brawl. It’s helped cut down on those I need to eighty-six. Most of the bulls are aggressive but they don’t necessarily dislike one another. They just need to butt heads in order to get their feelings out and then share a drink afterwards.
“Cash!” I call, the minotaur already on his way over to help me get the fighting bulls outside. “Hold it down, red!” I shout to Tess as we pass, hoping that if I take my eyes off of her for one second, she will be ok.
Tess:
Hold it down. By myself. No problem. I’ve got this. Do I got this? Hands pound the bar. Orders are shouted my way. A sea of various sized horns are floating above my head. The threat of incoming anxiety is trying to work its way into my awareness. But I’m determined to fucking secure this job. I spy a horn next to the register and rush to grab it, pressing the button with all my might. An annoying ass blare comes from the canister as all the bulls stop in their tracks and stare at me startled.
“If y’all want drinks, then you’ll take your turns placing orders like civilized minotaurs! Otherwise, there’s the door!!!” I point to the exit, their heads looking between it and me. I school my face into a mask of authority as I wait to see if they’ll shape up enough to get their alcohol. Sure as shit, the minotaurs calm down and start to place their orders in a more rational fashion. Honestly, I hadn’t really expected that to work, but for some reason, they’re responding to me. I’m not mad about it, especially as Havoc walks back in and gives the scene a once over with widened eyes.
“Cash is overseeing the fight. How the fuck did you get these bulls to behave?” he asks me after he takes the closest order. Suddenly, we’re both at the beer tap, pouring pints. I like our tight proximity as we brush elbows. Warmth spreads through me at the innocent touch.
“Tits,” I say with a shimmy as he looks down at my chest and groans.
“Knock that shit off, red. You’re fucking killing me. And it’s more than that. You’re like a fucking minotaur tamer. None of the other human women who have tried to work here have garnered this much respect from the regulars. Quite theopposite, actually,” he says. He finishes filling the current glass in his hand before grabbing another one. “What’s your deal?”
“I don’t fucking know. I just know my worth and I guess that’s what I’m putting out there. If they want to be assholes to me, they can try their hand at a human bar and get kicked out there,” I reply with a shrug. “I’m here to work. I understand what comes with this territory but they damn sure better tip me if they’re checking me out and say thank you when I put a drink in front of them!” I grab the four mugs I filled between both of my hands and turn to deliver them to the bull who ordered them. He throws a fifty-dollar bill into my bucket before nodding his head. “Thank you, sweetie!” I say kindly as I move on. When I look over at Havoc beside me, he’s got a shit eating grin on his face. He walks over to me and leans down to speak in my ear. The heat from his muzzle and the softness of his voice makes me flood my panties.
“You’re hired, red. Welcome to Bulls & Horns.” I can’t help but grin back at him when he pulls his face back to look at me.
A sense of pride I haven’t felt since my salon business failed blooms inside my chest. I passed the test! And the owner is smitten with me. I should probably be worried about what that means, but I’m just as interested in him. We’re both playing with fire and we know it. Too bad I can’t wait to feel the fucking burn of his flames.
Chapter Seven: Havoc
Tess has been doing great. The patrons love her, and she’s brought a light into the bar that I had no idea was missing. When she isn’t staffed to work, the minotaurs are sulky. They’ve grown accustomed to the human female and anticipate her shifts. We were already packed most nights. But over the last month since red started, her shifts bring in three times the crowd. I’ve had to hire security and now, we have a line wrapped around the block with bulls waiting to enter.
Unfortunately, Cash is still being a dick to her and can’t cope with the fact that she makes more money in tips and can handle the unruly males. No one is there for him and I. Not that they ever were. We’re a fucking bar. They want to drink and get fucked up and hopefully find someone to fuck on their way out the door. We do have a solid group of female minotaurs who frequent the place, they’re just not our bread and butter like the bulls are.
I’ve always tried to make them feel comfortable, but they’re minotaurs too. They don’t want me saving them. They’d backhand a bull before I would, and that fucking male is usually a simp for them afterwards. Say what you want about bulls being dominant. Some of them are truly waiting to submit to the power of pussy and boy, do they fall hard when that happens.
It’s a Tuesday afternoon as I converse with the day crowd, the bar mostly empty as it’s just me tending when Tess walks through the door. It’s her day off but checks just landed in my office and she’s coming to collect her money.
“Red,” I say in a gravelly voice as she smirks at me. The few bulls at the bar turn in their seats, immediately fawning over her as she leans against the bar top and allows it all to take place.
“Hey, bossman,” she says after she’s come around to my side of the bar. The minotaurs are all offering her drinks and begging her to sit down. “I don’t know, fellas. I got a lot of shit to catch up on today. It’s my day to run errands,” she says with a shrug as they all moan like fucking babies. I roll my eyes.
“Let me get you your check then,” I say quietly as I walk through the kitchen area and into the office. I can feel Tess hot on my heels as she crowds the door, waiting for me to dig her envelope out of the drawer.
“How’s it going today?” she says kindly, making small talk, her pretty eyes watching me intensely.
“You’re not working, so it’s an easy ass day,” I say with a chuckle. Fuck, her tits always look so fucking soft popping out of her lowcut shirts.
“Isn’t it crazy you thought I wouldn’t be able to last here, and I’ve actually brought renewed life into your business instead?” she teases as I snort. “I should get a raise.”
“I gave you one,” I say seriously, handing her her check. “Open it up.”
“Havoc, wait. That was a joke,” she protests as I smirk at her stunned face.
“I wasn’t joking,” I reply. Her features fall as she looks at the number inside the envelope, tears forming in her eyes. “Oh, c’mon, red. Don’t get mushy on me, babe.” Fuck! Thatbabejust slipped out. She stares at me, a single tear slithering down her cheek as she mouths the pet name silently. I want to apologize for saying it, more for legal reasons and the fact that I’m her boss. I stare at her as she wipes her cheek, looking to her Docs.
“Did my dad ever tell you why I came back home?” she asks as I shake my head.
“I don’t really make it my mission to pry, red. I figure that folks will tell me what they want me to know. And the rumor mill around here runs pretty rampant. I end up knowing more than I’d care to,” I admit as she nods. Tess walks forward and leans her juicy ass on the edge of my desk. I’m not too proud to say I’ll be sniffing it when she leaves. My eyes linger over her curves before meeting her gaze again. She watches me the entire time.
“I failed. My hair business went under, and I had to ask my dad for help. Ever since then, I’ve been searching for some direction. Something to help me feel like I’ve accomplished something. Anything really. Just that spark that says I may be down but I’m not fucking out. I feel like this is confirmation that I’m worth something still,” she says quietly as I raise my brows.
