AllFreeNovel
Share Us
One
Tully
It’s an unspoken rule that when you run a bar, you’re expected to know all the locals. It’s rude if you don’t remember their names, their drink, the names of their children, dog, and ex-girlfriend or boyfriend. So, when the young lady walks in, orders a martini, and sits staring at the scuffed top of my bar, I’m confident that I have never laid eyes on her before, especially since she has to be the most attractive and captivating woman I have ever seen.
It’s nice living in such a rural location; knowing everyone means you have an idea of who is going to walk into your pub. You know if they are going to cause you trouble and how to deal with them. It does, however, mean that you don’t have a lot of opportunity to meet pretty ladies.
It’s clear that I am not the only one who has noticed her presence; as I look around the pub, every male not wearing whiskey lenses is watching her. You can’t blame them; she’s beautiful.
I wait for the first schmuck to make their move. Sitting at the table in the corner doesn’t only give me a great view of the TV which has a rerun of an old football match playing but also gives me a great view of her without drawing her attention.
I watch the level in her martini fall and nearly sit empty as she gulps it back hungrily. Heavy drinking isn’t an attractive trait in a woman, but from her smart yet comfortable attire, she doesn’t give me the impression of this being a habit.
I’m so entranced by the sight of her lips curling around the rim of the triangle-shaped glass that I’m slow to notice Levi approach her. He is by far one of the sluttiest patrons. Normally, I wouldn’t refer to a man as a slut. Normally men are just players; they have a type or a pattern with the women that they date. Not Levi. I’ve seen him date every single flavor of woman and show no preference, hence the reason for slapping the label of slut on his ass.
“Why hello, beautiful. That outfit is delectable on you, but I do think it will look better on my floor later tonight.”
I’m not sure if it is the way he leans in towards her or his choice of words, but watching her shoulders tense and legs go rigid under her seat instantly makes me want to go across the bar to her rescue. I watch Sabrina, my barmaid, unload the dishwasher under the counter; surely she will notice and step in to ward off Levi, but she’s oblivious as she polishes the glasses.
It’s most likely going to make me look like an idiot. It’s not something I normally do since it’s not good to interfere with other peoples business, but I find myself standing from the table and crossing the pub to sit next to her. She tenses even more when she realizes I have sat the other side of her. Shit. She must feel trapped. She doesn’t know who I am, and I’ve just cornered her between Levi and me.
“Levi, don’t you need a refill? Why don’t you grab one from Sabrina. It’s on me, mate.” For a moment, I stare at the sandy-haired horndog, unsure if I am being too subtle, but after a moment of meeting my gaze, he steps back, putting a nice distance between his lanky frame and the mysterious beauty.
“Thanks, Tully.” Without showing a hint of disappointment, he moves to the other end of the bar to get his free drink.
I watch the back of the mysterious beauty’s head, finding myself being seduced by the smell of her perfume. Whatever it is, it’s unique and completely intoxicating. What is it about women that smell nice that is a complete fog-inducing turn-on?
“Thank you. I think you just saved me from some even worse pickup lines.” The words might say grateful but they certainly don’t sound it.
“My pleasure. He’s harmless. Everyone in here is; don’t take any mind. They don’t get pretty girls like you coming around very often.”
She turns the full force of her gaze on me at the sound of my voice. I’m not prepared for the strength in her gaze. She’s stunning, the type of stunning that can cause accidents and make you commit unfathomable crimes. Her hair is in a shoulder-length bob and black, so dark it almost looks blue in the dim lighting of the pub.
“Okay, I guess I will have to forgive them then. I’m Rachel—you can call me Rach.” She holds out her hand to shake in a motion that makes me believe she does it a lot, maybe for work.
I take her hand and find myself stunned at the sensation of fireworks shooting up my arm at touch of her skin on mine. It instantly makes me hungry to touch her more. This woman could make a man go crazy, that I am sure of.
“Tully. It’s nice to meet you, Rach. What brings you to town? Business or pleasure?” We don’t often get people visiting on business, but she doesn’t strike me as the type to come to the country for pleasure.
“I’m a writer. I’m covering the new Eco-Retreat opening up down the road. Do you know much about it?” She asks as if she is having a light conversation, but the concentration in her eyes says this is all work.
“Just that it’s very high-class and not really my type of establishment. I’d rather stay here.” I don’t want to mention that my sister is the owner and who hired her. I don’t want our conversation to be about work.
“This place has accommodations?” She looks around until her eyes land on the signs which lead to the two rooms upstairs available to rent for the night. “Oh, yeah.”
“Can I get you another drink?” I gesture to the dregs left in her glass.
She contemplates the small amount of drink left before turning her attention on me—looking as if she is only just seeing me for the first time. “Sorry. I’m distracted from a long day of travel and work.” She shoots back the last of her drink before pushing it back toward the bar. “I would love another drink.” She smiles, becoming more and more beautiful with every side-glance, the prickly exterior that she had when she walked in softening.
Sabrina gives me quizzical look as she pours Rachel another martini, but thankfully doesn’t say anything as she goes back up to the other end of the bar to the other patrons. For some reason, I don’t want her to know I own the pub. People always treat the owner differently. It’s nice for her to be looking at me as just someone she’s talking to at the bar.
“Can I be forward, Rachel?” I can’t stop my gaze from following the curve of her body as she turns to face me on her perch on the barstool.
“Depends…” She shifts on the stool, getting more comfortable as she takes a sip of her drink.
“I haven’t wanted to take my eyes off you since you walked in and I wondered if you would like some company tonight?”
Her lips part in surprise.
