The Pleasure Principle
Page 16
EDEN’S ATTENTION SHIFTED to the new big-screen TV sitting in the far corner and the five men clustered in front of it. Last week Willie and his buddies would have been down at the lodge watching their big screen, but since she’d taken Brady’s advice and invested in an even bigger model, Willie had found his way to her bar, along with his handful of football buddies.
Adding the round of beer to Willie’s ever-growing tab, she walked over and served the drinks, along with two large bowls of snacks.
“Thank you very much, little lady.”
“Sure do like what you’ve done to the place.”
“Can’t beat a big screen.”
“This thing’s got digital.”
“Glad you like it, boys. Don’t forget to tell your friends.”
And he did, and they told their friends, and so on until Eden found herself with more than she could handle in a matter of just a few days.
Since she and Merle and a few other brave souls had flat-out refused to sell, Jake Marlboro had finally given up and purchased several acres out near the Interstate. Of course, his surrender had more to do with the historical society, who’d decided to step in and preserve the buildings along Main street. It seemed that things were looking up for the Pink Cadillac. Eden had even started to advertise for a busboy. She’d had three inquiries and her first interview was scheduled in five minutes.
She was alone, hunkered down behind the bar when she heard the doorbell tinkle and her first prospect walked in.
“There’s an application right there on the bar. I’ll be finished in a minute.”
“Take your time.” The familiar voice sent a rush of heat through her and she banged her head on the bar edge as she bolted to her feet to see Brady Weston sitting across from her. He held the Help Wanted sign in one hand.
“You won’t be needing this because I aim to get this job.”
“You have a job. A job that you love.”
He shook his head. “Not anymore. And the job wasn’t all that great. Not without the person I love.”
As the meaning behind his words sunk in, tears sprang to Eden’s eyes. This couldn’t be happening to her. She sniffled and wiped at her nose. “I’m sorry, but it doesn’t pay much.”
“I don’t need much. Just you, Eden. Just you.”
She looked into his eyes for a long moment, gauging the emotion she saw there. When she recognized the love, the acceptance, in his gaze, she practically crawled across the bar and into his arms. After a fierce, frantic kiss, he pulled away and eyed her.
“Does this mean I get the job?”
She shook her head. “You already have a job.”
“You wanted me to give it up.”
“I wanted to know that you’d give it up. I don’t want you to leave something that makes you so happy. I want you to be happy.”
“Then marry me and make me the happiest man in the world.”
She nodded and threw herself into his arms for another kiss.
“Is this how it ends?” she asked when the kiss finally ended. “The erotic adventures of Eden and Brady. Is this how the movie ends?”
“No.” He stepped over and locked the door, then pulled her around the bar. “This,” he said as he tugged her down onto the floor and started unbuttoning her clothes, “is just the beginning. We’ve got forever to finish the script, but have a feeling it will end happily ever after.”
And then he proceeded to make slow, sweet love to her because Brady Weston had found Eden Hallsey’s ultimate turn-on.
To love and be loved, and they lived happily ever after.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-0016-6
THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE
Copyright © 2001 by Kimberly Raye Rangel.
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