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I burst out laughing at how self-satisfied she appears. Axel and Ben stare at me as I attempt to get myself back to the stoic man they’re used to seeing. Ben’s the light-hearted fun one, and Axel is the brooding fixer, and I’m the businessman. I’m the one who keeps us all on track. I’m not the brother who throws his head back to laugh like a crazy man in the middle of a restaurant.
“Is that so?” I ask once I’ve gotten my laughter under control.
Before she can answer we’re interrupted by the waitress and we all take a moment to order our food. I watch Shayne as she plays with a sugar packet. Axel and Ben discuss the opening and how great it went.
I’m still wondering why Shayne thinks my bar is a mess.
“And you think you can fix it all?” I whisper close to Shayne’s ear.
We’re interrupted once more as the waitress returns with our drinks. Shayne grabs her straw and takes a long pull of her soda. When she’s done she smiles at me. “Yes, I think I can teach you a thing or two.”
“Ha.” I laugh again, but everyone else at the table ignores the two of us.
“You can thank me anytime you want,” she says with a shrug.
I’m captivated by her and can’t stop staring at her. The waitress drops off our food, and I realize I’ve been staring a bit too long at Shayne.
She pops a fry into her mouth and her thigh nudges mine. “You’re so serious all the time.” She pops another fry into her mouth and I watch her chew and swallow. “You should loosen up.”
My mind swirls with her remarks. I should loosen up? “It’s my club. Wanting it to be perfect is too serious?”
Shayne drops the fry she’s holding in her hand and blinks at me. “Damien, life’s too short. Take a deep breath.”
Axel laughs. “Damien doesn’t do deep breaths.”
“Shut up, man,” I say back. And then I close my eyes, and I take a few deep breaths. I don’t feel any different, but I smile. “There.”
“Feel better?” Shayne asks.
“Sure.”
She raises a brow, not believing me for a minute. “I don’t know. Look at your shoulders.” She touches my shoulder and I tense at her touch. She backs her hand away. “Sorry.” Shayne returns to her food, taking a bite of her sandwich and then saying something to Emma.
I’m not listening. Instead I’m focused on the energy between us. I can feel it. Can she feel it too?
Her leg brushes up against mine again and I have to cling onto the air in my lungs. I take another deep breath, thinking about what she said about letting loose.
Under the table, I place my hand on her thigh.
She freezes, and I brush my fingers over her jeans. I’m waiting for her to knock my hand away but instead she spreads her legs just a tiny fraction. But, that’s all the invitation I need. I trace my fingers around her knee, and then move them up a little.
She sucks in a breath.
“Is this loose enough for you?” I whisper into her ear.
She doesn’t respond. But, she doesn’t have to. I can tell she’s enjoying this as much as me by the way she’s breathing. All short and quick breaths.
I decide to move my hand up, inching closer to the inside of her thigh.
“What are you doing?” she whispers so no one can hear her.
“I’m not really sure.” Mainly because I’m not. All I know is the need to touch her overwhelms me whenever she’s this close.
“So, Shayne was great tonight. Don’t you agree, Damien?” Axel asks.
I shake my head, remembering where I am. “Well…” I don’t finish my thought.
“I’m happy to be working there,” Shayne cuts in.
“Well, you don’t actually work there.” My hand doesn’t leave her thigh. “Remember we said only on a probationary period for tonight.”
“I think she did great,” Ben says, eyeing me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Did you see her spill on the mayor?” Sure, I know mistakes happen. But, I can’t have Shayne work at the bar. Look at me right now, I can’t get my traitorous hand to get off her fucking thigh. I can not have her around.
“It was one little hiccup,” Shayne argues.
“It was a pretty big hiccup,” I counter.
“Well sometimes we make mistakes.” Shayne squeezes her thighs together, making my eyes flash to hers.
“I just think Shayne is a good addition to the club. She handled the bar like a pro. I need to get this one home.” Ben nudges Clara, when she doesn’t move he picks her up and carries her out.
“I agree. Welcome to the family, Shayne.” And with that Axel helps Emma up, leading her out as she weaves through the restaurant.
“See, you need me,” Shayne says once we’re all alone at the table.
