Billionaire Bartender: A Second Chance Romance (The Buckeye Series)

by Henley, Jo

  “What are you waiting for?” she encouraged.

  He nudged the waistband of her yoga pants down. Lifting her ass off the ground she gave him permission and he wiggled them off. Returning to his position over her he rubbed one finger inside the edge of her silk panties. He continued swooshing from hip to hip dipping lower with each stroke. She yearned for him to explore all the way in and not just with his finger.

  Without breaking eye contact he leaned forward on his knees, his hands landing on either side of her head. He smothered her in a kiss and begged under his breath to release his hardening cock.

  She was just as desperate to have Oscar in her grasp. She unbuttoned his jeans. No underwear. She creamed for his wet tip within her reach. Reluctantly letting go, she slipped both hands down his jeans, over his ass. It just took a few inches to free his member. He emerged, stiff, tempting her to caress him from base to tip with one stroke.

  “Ohhh, Yesss,” he moaned.

  She pulled on his shaft. Finally they were enjoying each other’s touch. He grew harder and longer. The tip of his hard cock teased across her abs, so she swung his sensitive head across her panties. Needing more, she wedged him down, rubbing her wet silk on him. He was so close with one piece of fabric separating them.

  “We should slow down.” He pulled back and rolled over onto his back next to her. “I don’t want to rush you.”

  “You’re probably right.” She inched over, resting her head on his chest. His stiff cock was still calling to her. She bit her bottom lip. They were both too worked up to stop. “Maybe I could give you one little kiss.”

  The need to taste him overtook her, she slid her mouth down his hard abs to his harder cock. The first soft touch on the head of his cock caused his butt to flinch stiff. Then his body relaxed. Yes. I want this. I want to give him this pleasure.

  She folded her lips over and sucked on the tip. Holding the shaft in place she swallowed his cock fully. Working faster she stroked and sucked. He moaned, writhing with pleasure from her kisses.

  Up and down she greedily pumped on his cock. Determined to satisfy him, she sucked, fondled, and crashed on him. He cycled between holding the back of her head to grasping the blanket underneath them. His breathing was ragged, then he gasped, surging for her.

  She pulled off and said one word, “Now.”

  He obeyed her sensual command and released his creamy explosion. Thumping his cock, he aimed for her open mouth.

  Satisfied from pleasing him, she closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. They laid in each others arms for moments that seemed like an eternity. They held each other silently until his heartbeat returned to a normal rhythm.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Stopping when they should’ve, Oscar and Liz composed themselves and made their way back to the truck. On the drive out of town Liz sat in the middle seat, huddled under his arm with her head on his shoulder. The rain shower sprinkled on the roof of the cab, lulling her, reminding her that taking chances didn’t always have to end up in a mistake.

  “Do you like ice cream?” Oscar asked, exiting the highway. He pulled into a full parking lot of what appeared to be the only business on the exit. A neon sign in the window flashed “Simon’s.” Taped up next to it was a picture of a young boy licking a giant ice cream cone. The outdoor patio was crowded with families enjoying pie a la mode and sundaes. They sat at red topped tables, corralled in by a wooden post fence with one entrance/exit.

  “How can they eat outside? It’s November.”

  “The ice cream is that good.” Oscar escorted Liz up to the door, where the line was extended to the far wall.

  Inside, the shop smelled of sugar goodness and fresh baked pies. Oscar nodded to the man in charge behind the counter. Simon’s here? What was I thinking? Please don’t ask me anything. I just want to share a scoop of ice cream with Liz. Don’t tip off that I own the place or that I’m a billionaire. I can’t tell her here.

  Behind the counter were oversized chalk boards with ice cream flavors filled in, erased, and written over again. At the top it read “Simon’s 66 Flavors or Close Enough.”

  “Does that say wasabi?” Liz asked, straining to read some of the smaller words.

  “Yup.” Oscar stretched his neck to the side, peering into the glass freezer case. “But looks like they’re sold out.”

  “I’m alright.” Liz explored the flavors in the case in front of her. All the usuals were there, chocolate, vanilla, and cookie dough. These tubs were full, barely any ice cream had been removed. The scoopers were only dipping into the containers from the case on the end.

  “What can I get you?” a young server asked.

  “I can’t decide.” Liz eyed down the line past a trio of teenage girls. “What’s in those cases?”

  “Those are Simon originals and the only ice cream in the state worth eating in November,” Oscar answered.

  “Hi, Oscar,” the server beamed. “Do you want your usual?”

  “You come here that often?”

  “Nana loves this place.” He squeezed Liz around the waist. “Pick a flavor.” And don’t notice that everyone’s being overly nice to me.

  All the flavor names of the ice cream in the last case were unusually original, sweet potato pie, rum raisin, graham cracker cookie, salted caramel pretzel, cinnamon bun. And in the furthest corner, remnants of green wasabi ice cream with a sign taped on the side. “Sold out at noon.”

  “I’m overwhelmed. You order.”

  “Give us two scoops of coffee pecan and put it on a slice of pumpkin pie,” Oscar said with a wink.

  “Coming right up.”

  Despite an odd look from the cashier, Oscar paid for the scoops and gently pushed Liz to the door before anyone could out him as his true self.

  They took their desserts to the patio and sat on makeshift barstools made out of tractor seats. Behind the building was nothing but vast open farmland.

  “This really is just out here in the middle of no where.” Liz tried a big bite getting both the ice cream and the pie on her spoon as directed as the proper way to eat it. “But man is it worth the drive. I’m going to have to bring Bill back here.”

  “Oh, he know about this place. They make an awesome stout chocolate.”

  “Seriously, the secrets you two have,” Liz said, half speaking about Oscar hiding his businesses from her.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing.” She was still embarrassed that she hadn’t asked about his day job and again couldn’t muster the courage to this time. “It’s amazing we’ve both known Bill for so long and had never run into each other before.” Liz put her spoon down. She couldn’t eat another bite. “Fate kept us apart until we could be together.”

  “Guess so.” Oscar finished the last few bites of their pumpkin pie a la mode dessert. He took a deep breath. Maybe this would be a perfect time to tell her a little of the truth. I could introduce her to Simon and partially come clean. What could happen? Just as the thought cleared his mind a Texas sized dust devil twisted with a vengeance behind Simon’s ice cream.

  The field of weeds and wild flowers shook with fear, as the monster of a storm closed in their way. Along with the wind swirling, rain pelted down, thundering and rattling the tin roof of the ice cream shop’s dining area canopy. The families, teens, and other patrons outside grabbed their spoons and headed for their vehicles.

  Oscar helped Liz up into the cab of his truck as the beast loomed forward threatening to soak and cover them with a red dusting.

  “Scoot over,” he squeezed in and slammed the door. The truck shook seconds later. The dark cloud hovering above, showering down buckets on the cab. Message received. I’ll keep my mouth shut.

  “Someone doesn’t like ice cream,” Liz joked.

  “Good thing the real rain hasn’t started yet. We might’ve been thrown twenty feet in the air by a tornado instead.” Oscar was suddenly aware of the tight grip he had on Liz’s knee and softened it. “Sorry about that.
Maybe we should get back to the city.”

  “I’ll drive.” Liz made a pass for the steering wheel.

  “Not gonna happen. This is a date and my momma raised me right.” Instead of getting out in the harsh weather, he awkwardly climbed over her.

  Unable to resist, Liz cupped between his thighs as he passed. “Gotcha.”

  “Hey.” He fell into the seat, squished between her lap and the gear stick. “Watch out.”

  “You didn’t have a problem back at the park.”

  “Back there I wasn’t in danger of being impaled by a metal rod.” He clasped the gear shift head in his palm and rocked it.

  “Trust me it’s not that bad.” She kissed him on the neck and swung her legs up into the seat for the ride home.

  Chapter Thirty Three

  The rain clouds followed them, but the storm had shaken out it’s fury. This made for a quiet ride back to the city. Oscar reflected on the day he’d shared with Liz. Questions were asked and answered, stories told, and sexual tension was released. He was at peace in the stillness of the silence with Liz in the truck. He’d dreamed of having a wife that would exude her love for him without a word spoken.

  He had the evening off, but felt compelled to check in on the bar. “I’m heading to the Buckeye. Do you mind?”

  “Are you kidding? A day of fun wouldn’t be complete without a drink with Mitch.”

  Perfect answer. Oscar stretched his arm out along the back of the seat and Liz scrunched in next to him for the rest of the drive.

  When they arrived, a cold breeze rushed over them sending shivers up Oscar’s back and raising goose bumps on Liz’s arms. “Feels like winter’s coming.” He ran his arms up hers to create friction and warm her up. This motion created more movement in his pants than he anticipated. He arched back, keeping his hands locked around her waist. “Damn, you’re sexy,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. They tightened closer together as another gust of wind cut through them. “Let’s get inside.” Oscar shivered.

  “You two just getting here?” Bill asked, making this presence known by the back door.

  “Are you spying on us?” Liz asked.

  “Just enjoying the view.” Bill pulled Liz a step to the side. “Everything still cool?”

  She nodded.

  “Have you?” Bill gestured, poking a finger into his fist. “You know.”

  “None of your business.” She pushed him back, knocking him off balance. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I’m checking—no.” Bill stopped and rerouted his thoughts. “I was going somewhere.”

  Oscar opened the back door and yelled. “Food!” The usual voices answered with a loud chimichanga from Mitch among many other thundering yes votes. Oscar stepped back out, addressing Bill. “How many? Is everyone here?”

  Bill held up his hand and stretched out his fingers. He started at his thumb and counted. “Five.”

  “You and Dina?” Oscar asked.

  Bill added his other thumb. “Six.”

  “Andy? Bob?”

  “No. Yes. What was the question?”

  “Liz will you go with him?” Oscar slipped a couple of twenties to her. “Get a variety of tacos and don’t forget to Mitch’s chimichangas.” He kissed on the cheek and looped her arm in Bill’s. “Sober him up on the walk.”

  Sending Liz away with Bill gave Oscar the few minutes he needed to perform business tasks when he stepped in the bar. He checked the cash in the register, the intake valve on the ice machine, and signed off on the supply invoice for paper products. He was just stepping out of the office to check in with Angela when Bob stepped in.

  “Did you follow my advice?” Bob bumped shoulders with Oscar, before scooting past him to the office chair behind the desk.

  “I did. Sort of.” Oscar leaned against the open door. “We ran into Julie though.”

  “Who won?”

  “Liz. She was amazing. Even with Julie right in front of me, I only had eyes Liz.” Oscar closed the door and sat on the side of the desk. Even with the privacy of the closed door, he spoke in hushed tones. “I couldn’t tell her though. Am I doing the right thing? I’ve never hidden anything this big before and I feel wrong to keep hiding it from her. Tell me the truth. Will she forgive me for keeping my other life a secret?”

  “Oscar. Liz is different. Money isn’t the issue. Your heart is.”

  “I know Bob, but her ex husband. He’s such a wanna be pretentious jackass. I don’t want her to think she’s getting into the same thing with me.”

  “She’s not.” Bob gave him a death stare worthy of a high school vice principal. “You’ve shown her who you truly are. Now give her the bonus every woman dreams of.”

  “Food’s here,” Angela said, opening the door after a quick rap on it.

  “Be right out,” the men answered.

  Eating gave Oscar an excuse to sit back and watch Liz. She ate at the counter with Mitch, her eyes glued on him, smiling and listening to every word he said.

  Look at her. She loves with blinders on. We didn’t even know her a few weeks ago. Now I can’t imagine her not sitting next to Mitch at the counter. Don’t let this end.

  “Could you take over? I have an early class in the morning,” Angela asked.

  “No problem. Go on home.” Tipping up the pass through, Oscar exchanged places with Angela and stepped behind the bar. “How about I show you a few bartending tricks? We’ll make drinks for everyone on the house.”

  “Huzzah!” Mitch yelled, pumping both fists in the air. “Come over boys! Free drinks!”

  The pool table trio, Dale, Jim, and Lee joined Mitch at the counter, while Liz stepped behind it and tied an apron around her waist.

  “Let’s start with an easy one,” Oscar said. “A Dark and Stormy. Very fitting for tonight and even Mitch’ll drink it.”

  “I’ll drink the one Liz creates and make it strong,” Dale said.

  “I’ll try my best.”

  “She’ll make it the right way.” Oscar set two glasses down on the counter in front of them. “Open this ginger beer and pour it in.”

  Liz followed along with the instructions.

  “Hold the jigger like this.” Oscar tipped the metal measuring device between his fingers. “Now add two ounces of rum.”

  Liz trembled a bit adding a tad too much rum to the drink.

  “That one’s mine.” Mitch claimed the drink in front of Liz, by snatching it up and licking the rim of the glass.

  “Dammit!” Dale howled.

  “A scoop of ice and we’re done.” Oscar turned from the freezer under the counter and added the scoop to both glasses.

  Liz stuck straws in each one and presented her drink to Mitch.

  “Not bad.”

  “How about a White Russian?” Jim asked.

  “Good one and not too hard.” Oscar set out the ingredients, a third vodka, third coffee liqueur, and a third heavy cream. Getting the hang of pouring already, Liz made an identical drink to Oscar’s.

  “Any others?” Oscar asked, looking around. The crowd of patrons still sitting out in the bar were too focused on themselves to hear his call for free drinks.

  “Thanks for the lesson. I hate to be a downer, but I have to use the little girls room.” Liz excused herself and stepped away down the dark hallway.

  “About time,” Mitch said after she left. “I love her, but I have a bone to pick with you mister.” He pointed his index finger at Oscar.

  “What? No I haven’t told her.”

  “Not that. Who the hell did you talk to about my Anasazi beans?”

  “Oh,” Oscar gasped, remembering his run in with Casey in Vegas. “I might have told the new chef at the new location about them.”

  “Well un tell them. My supplier in Oklahoma is wiped out and won’t ship me any more. I need my beans.”

  “My bad.” Oscar shrugged. “Do you think your supplier needs to be bought out?”

  “Don’t count on it.”

  “How about
I go make a phone call.” Oscar stepped out from behind the counter and headed to the back office. Everyone has a price. I may not be able to buy the bean farm, but I’m pretty sure I can buy the beans off the menu at the restaurant in Vegas.

  Liz came out of the ladies room, about the time Oscar stepped out of the office.

  “Hey, I should have asked. Can you stay until I lock up?” Oscar put his arm around her and walked her back to the counter. “I can teach you more cocktails and then I’ll drive you home.”

  “It’s been a long day. I’ll call a cab.” She eyed the flyer of the taxi company taped to the wall. “Can I use your phone?”

  “I should’ve thought of you. I’ll call someone else to take care of the bar.”

  “Nonsense. Give me your phone.”

  “Use mine,” Mitch said, offering his.

  She held her finger up and relayed her information into the automated system of the taxi service. When the ride was booked, she hung up the phone. “Done.”

  A short time later lights flashed against the front windows. “I’ll check for you,” Dale said and made his way out the front door. After a few seconds he poked his head back in. “Cab’s out front. Jerry’s driving.”

  “Tell him his fare will be right out.” Oscar stepped around the bar and wrapped his arms around Liz’s waist. “Let me send Jerry on his way. I want more time with you tonight.” Please don’t go.

  “Thank you for a perfect first day as a divorced woman. I’ll never forget it.” She waved to Mitch and the guys, then slipped out the door to her cab.

  I love you. His thoughts stayed on the tip of his tongue. He turned, Bob had read his mind. Without speaking, Bob tied an apron around his waist and stepped behind the bar.

  “Thanks,” Oscar hustled out the back door to his truck to chase after Liz. If Jerry drove he cab they way he usually did, he’d have time to stop and pick up flowers on the way.

  Chapter Thirty Four