Heather was a patient teacher and Penny was grateful for the help. It wasn’t anything she hadn’t done before, but the system was slightly different from the sports bar back in Houston. “There ain’t no better way to get the hang of things than to get your hands dirty,” Grams used to say, and so she plunged in head first, immediately taking her first order as soon as Heather went back to slinging drinks.
After a few hours, The Den was starting to get crowded. It was a Saturday night after all. And really, it wasn’t that much different from any bar anywhere else. If anything, Penny actually felt safer here, especially with Tim keeping a watchful eye over everything. Sure, a lot of the men’s gazes would linger a little too long on her chest or she could feel them staring at her ass while she walked away or a couple would call her “sweetie” or “honey”, but no one tried anything inappropriate. And shifters were damned good tippers, and she was already skipping happily, thinking of how much she’d be taking home tonight.
As Penny was heading back to the bar to grab another round of drinks, a cheer erupted behind her, along with the sounds of poppers and confetti guns.
“Happy couple’s here,” Heather said pointing to the door.
As she glanced back, she saw a man and woman surrounded by well-wishers. “Oh my.” They were a beautiful couple—he was tall, dark-haired and handsome, while the woman was willowy, slim and gorgeous. They were like the prom king and queen striding in to greet their subjects. No wonder poor Olive was so sour.
“Need help with those?” Heather asked, looking at the full tray.
“I’m fine,” she said, a bit embarrassed at being caught staring. “I’ll be right back.”
Penny lifted the tray and walked over to the table, dispensing the drinks easily. One of the tables stopped her, and she took their orders. As she headed back to the bar, something very solid bumped into her.
As she began to fall back, she braced herself, ready for her butt to hit the floor. However, a pair of hands grabbed her arms, stopping her from tumbling over. Oh my…Something, no someone, smelled so good. The cologne was heady and male and fresh. As she looked up, she saw a handsome face covered with a thick beard looking ahead past the crowd of people behind her. Or rather, over her head, as the man was gigantic, especially compared to her petite frame. A small sound escaped her as she felt her feet lift off the ground. The man had picked her up and placed her aside, then went on his merry way.
“Eeep!” She covered her mouth as soon as the squeak came out. She stared after the man, watching his large back retreating from her. A shiver ran through her, thinking of his warm, calloused palms on her bare arms. What happened?
She watched him join a table—not just any table, but the table—the one where the newly engaged couple was holding court with their friends and family. Of course. The man who bumped into her was hunky and gorgeous and he was one of them, the elite of Blackstone. He didn’t even look at me. Why would he? She was just a waitress after all.
Shaking off imaginary dust from her jeans, she walked back to bar. “Two rum and cokes and a whiskey,” she said to Heather.
“You okay?” the other woman asked with a frown. “You’re redder than a firetruck.”
Penny touched her cheek, which was indeed warm. “I’m fine.” She glanced over at the table again and she saw the man laughing with his friends. It made him seem even more handsome, the way he seemed so relax and genuine.
“Oh, Ben’s here,” Heather said, following her gaze. “I didn’t see him come in.”
“Do you know him?”
“Well, not personally, but sure, everyone knows him. He’s head of the mining operations and related to the Lennoxes. Cousins or something.”
“Right.” So, handsome, popular and rich. Of course he wouldn’t notice someone like her. Girls were probably throwing themselves at him. Why would he notice someone like her?
Penny shook her head. No use thinking about that. “You got those drinks for me?”
“Coming right up.”
The Blackstone Bear
Blackstone Mountain Book 3
Coming End of February 2018
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Other Books by Alicia Montgomery
Paranormal Series:
The True Mates Series
Fated Mates
Blood Moon
Romancing the Alpha
Witch’s Mate
Taming the Beast
Tempted by the Wolf
The Lone Wolf Defenders Series:
Killian’s Secret
Loving Quinn
All for Connor
Contemporary Series:
The Billionaire Heirs
Seducing the Billionaire’s Daughter
Surrendering to the Billionaire’s Son
The Combustion Series
Take Me There
Hearts on Fire
All of Me
Their Game
Let the Games Begin
The Game is On
End Game
The Blackstone Bad Dragon Page 16
