by Palmer Jones
“Did you hear any of their conversation at the table?”
She stuck her hands in her back pockets, trying to appear relaxed. She had heard their conversation, but until then, she'd forgotten.
“Yes. They were talking about a development. Real estate, I imagine. I know Atlanta has plenty of places to shop, but I don't live too far from here, so putting in a Big Jim's Superstore in downtown Atlanta works nicely for me. Do you know where?”
“Here.”
She chewed on her lip a moment. “Here? As in—”
“The developers are planning to purchase this entire block of buildings and make it into your superstore.” He snarled as he said it, his Irish so thick, she had a hard time understanding him.
“Great.” She threw her hands in the air. Finally found a job that could cover the nurse's bill and buy groceries and she might lose it anyway.
“I'm glad you're happy about it.”
She cut her eyes his way. “I was being sarcastic, Mr. O'Keeley.”
“Brogan.”
Her breath froze in her lungs.
“Call me Brogan when we aren't around the other employees. Mr. O'Keeley feels too formal.”
He'd said nothing improper for a boss. No insinuations. He hadn't moved any closer to her, she'd moved closer to him, if anything, but it felt intimate calling him by his first name.
When you flash someone your bra, it must drop you down to a first name basis. Did other employees call him Brogan when they were in private?
She licked her dry lips and hoped she played it off smoothly. “Alright, Brogan.” The dark blue of his eyes seemed to deepen the longer he watched her. “What do you plan to do about the development?”
He began rolling down his shirtsleeves. “I'm not sure yet. That was the meeting that you pleasantly interrupted. The owner of this building gave me the first right of refusal. But the asking price is more than we can afford at the moment. We don't have much leverage to put up. I've reinvested almost everything back into the business.”
She pressed her lips together to keep her mouth from dropping open. He was talking to her. Like a human and not just an employee. “Oh. So, I really might be out of a job after all?”
He buttoned his cuffs, looking sexier than any boss should. God, she should look away. It seemed personal, watching him dress. But, hell, he'd just watched her dress, and it'd been a little more revealing than him covering up those amazing arms.
“I hope that doesn't happen, but I won't lie to you. That is a possibility. But as of right now at 11:25 a.m. you do have a job. And so do I.” He slipped into his jacket. His tie sat a little crooked.
He walked toward her, a natural smile she'd never seen before in place. Real. Open. The kind of smile that makes you feel like you are the center of that person's universe for that one moment.
He motioned toward the door of his office. “Shall we?”
Out of nowhere, she reached up, adjusted his tie. She never understood why her body didn't listen to her rational mind. He'd given her permission to use his first name.
Not touch him.
Not skim the tip of her finger along the edge of his collar against his smooth skin.
And, judging by the mask that fell over his beautiful face again, he didn't appreciate it.
She stepped back. “Sorry. I know you wouldn't want to go out there with a crooked tie.”
“No, I wouldn't.” His expression didn't match that husky, sexy quality that'd slipped into his voice. Maybe she'd imagined it. Sophisticated men like Brogan never looked twice at women like her. Or if they did, it was for a fling. Nothing serious.
Jacob had dated her longer than what she'd describe as a fling, but it didn't change anything in the end. He wanted someone who could make the rounds at his fancy parties. Host dinners for other uppity men and women. And when he discovered she wasn't the “right” woman, he'd hid her away.
“Then let's go to work.” She turned on her heel and marched out ahead of him, swinging close to the break room door long enough to throw her tank top in the general direction of her locker. Neatness be damned. She had a job to do while there was still an O'Keeley's open.
“Do you normally throw your clothes around?” He'd waited for her in the hallway, the expression from before a little less severe.
She smiled over her shoulder as they headed out into the main dining room, already partially full, from the downtown lunchtime crowd. “I do when I strip for my boss.” That was another mark against her dating someone like Brogan or Jacob. Her sarcasm was hardly tolerated. Or appreciated.
But Brogan didn't chastise her.
He grinned.
And she about tripped over her own feet.
“Go to work, Selena,” he said, a definite edge of laughter in his beautiful voice.
Risking even more mortification. “You, too—” she winked “—Brogan.”
3
Two miles in the pool should have cooled off his body. Eased his mind. Settled the swirling deep in his gut that hadn't stopped. But with each flip-turn in the water, some part of Selena popped into his mind. Her eyes. That damn wink. The way she'd skimmed her jeans down her hips.
He pushed harder until his watch buzzed an hour later.
She was due at the restaurant in forty-five minutes, so he'd head straight into work from the gym. They'd renovated the office, giving him his private changing area as well as a separate area for the employees. His space included a shower.
Maybe, after a shower and putting on his suit, his control would return. Usually, his two-hours of morning exercise gave him a chance to work through problems. One big problem staring him down at the moment was what to do about his restaurant and the offer to buy the property.
Three million dollars. He didn't have the collateral to get that type of loan without more time and planning. He and his brothers worked hard to be successful since leaving Ireland fifteen years ago—from a small goat farm and fighting at the local pub to running a business. They all had their parts to play.
Right now, Cathal was in charge of all the legal business concerning the purchase of the property. Somehow, Georgetown had given the man a damned law degree. His brother was smart. Stupid smart. The kind of intelligence that made you cringe when he showed up scuttered every other night hitting on anything in a skirt.
Opposite from Rian. Although, Rian was an odd one himself. Quiet. A genius in the kitchen. He'd spend his time traveling the world, cooking for famous people or showing off his skills at culinary festivals rather than put down solid roots.
Brogan dried off and pulled on his t-shirt and a dry pair of gym shorts. Both his brothers had their ghosts that they ran from. He knew that. It didn't make it any easier when he was trying to keep their restaurant running.
His ghosts arose each time he had to look, touch, smell Selena, and then walk away. A hot shower and shave would put him into the frame of mind he needed to deal with the day.
To handle Selena.
After the first harassment lawsuit and payout, he never looked twice at an employee. Never crossed a line. Wouldn't. Even if his mind and his eyes always drifted back to Selena. He preached it enough to his employees. Lenny almost had a date with Brogan's fist had he not looked so shaken from the encounter and backed off.
But he didn't blame the boy. Selena was gorgeous, in a messy way. He believed organization led to success, so being late and unprepared almost every day would drive him insane. That was a good enough reason for him to stay away from her.
So, why in the hell had he told her to show up early? That put them together, alone, at least thirty minutes before the cooks arrived. They were both responsible adults. He'd make sure to keep everything professional and keep his distance. Then she couldn't accuse him of anything.
He walked the few blocks to the office from the gym, unlocking the door, and disarming the beeping alarm panel. This was what he needed. A big reminder as to where to focus his mind. O'Keeley's.
“Good morning!
”
He whipped around, barely catching the door before it closed in Selena’s face. “Hi, there.” He glanced at his watch. Not too early, but 9:15 a.m. was incredibly early for her.
“I know. Sorry, I'm early.” Her eyes tracked down his body and back up. “You're not in a suit.” She blinked like she was shocked. “I can wait outside.”
He shook his head. “No. Come in. I just need to get cleaned up from the gym, is all. How did you manage to get here by 9:15 a.m.?”
“It seems that my mornings work a little better, leaving earlier.”
He wanted to ask, “Why,” but he kept the question to himself. That was her business. Not his. He pointed down to her feet. “You even have your shoes on.”
“I figured you'd notice. But you probably notice everything.” She sighed. “I'm too overwhelmed to remember anything without writing it down.” They stopped in the hallway between his office and the break room. “So, where do we start.”
“The shower.”
Her laugh was quick and loud. “I've already taken mine, but thanks for the invite.”
He winced. That was a great way to keep everything professional. “No. Sorry. I meant I need to take a shower.” Now he was acting like an idiot. “If you want to you can do a walkthrough, double-check things. I won't be long.” A cold shower to clear his head.
“Sure thing.” She walked to her locker, her shoulder barely visible from the door to his office. He had to get his mind under control. Because in that one second, he pictured her in the shower.
With him.
Which would never happen. He'd have a lawsuit handed to him quicker than he could get lathered up for a shave.
He showered and shaved in record time, ready to go over the tedious paperwork, as his brothers called it, and distract himself from the pretty waitress currently walking through the dining room.
“I did the walk-through—” Selena's voice trailed off. She stood in the doorway. They weren't alone in the building any longer; the cook’s already prepping for the day in the kitchen, which was a good thing with the way her gaze held his.
“What is it?”
“You look different. Without a tie and your sleeves rolled up.”
He smiled. “I hate ties.”
She crossed her arms and leaned on the doorjamb. “Really? I would have thought you slept in a suit.”
“Not until I'm six feet under, I'm afraid.”
“Then why wear one?” She tilted her head to the side. “You run an Irish pub. And you're the boss. You make the rules.”
“I run a business.” And as a new kid out of college, no one took him seriously. The suit added an element of power that he leveraged. Still did. So did making rules and sticking to them.
She stood there, watching him. Thinking. He could tell when she thought hard about something because her lips pursed together and distracted the hell out of him.
“I still need something else to do.”
“Right.” He motioned to the seat across from him. “I was wondering how you were with a computer?”
“Decent.” She sat down in the seat he'd indicated. “Why?”
He turned a second, large monitor so she could see it too. “I need someone to go through the review sites. You know, the ones that the tourists use to figure out where to eat. We're trending fairly well, but I want to know what the overall thoughts are. Any simple improvements we can make. See if there's a pattern to what people like or dislike.”
She scowled. “You know some people are just plain cruel, right?”
“Yes. I do. Are you afraid I'll get my feelings hurt?”
She pursed her lips together for a moment. “Until I saw you this morning dressed like a normal person in gym clothes, I wasn't sure you had feelings.” She waved her hand in the air, her eyes wide. “Never mind. Pretend I didn't say that. Sorry, Mr. O'Keeley.”
“I asked you to call me Brogan.” And he had feelings. Far too many inappropriate ones aimed her way.
“Sorry. Brogan.”
“And can you stop apologizing.” He held a finger up. “Except when you’re late.”
“Are you never late?”
“No.”
“Ever?”
He shook his head. “No. It's almost time for the other waitstaff to arrive. If you think this is something you can handle, we can start tomorrow morning. Do you have a laptop?”
She fidgeted in the seat. “No,” she finally said, embarrassed. “If I need to buy one—”
“No. I'll give you a company one for you to use. Not a problem.” Once he went out and purchased a company laptop. He'd make Cathal do it. “But you can share this one or use my phone until then.”
“Okay.” She rose. “I know you don't want me to apologize again, but really, I'm sorry about the feelings comment.” With a shy smile, she took a step backward. “You just, you know. You look a little more—”
At her long pause, Brogan crossed his arm. “Spit it out, Selena.”
“You look a little more human. Like this. Without the tie or jacket.” Then she left.
Brogan leaned back in his seat. Human? Oh, if she only knew exactly how human he was underneath his suits. Especially when it came to her.
But humans were flawed. They made mistakes. Lapses in judgment. He wouldn't do that with Selena. Not while she was an employee.
* * *
“Holy shit.” Katie, platinum hair with newly dyed blue tips pulled back into a ponytail, nudged Selena. “Look at how the boss man is dressed.”
Selena's head whipped around; her mouth instantly ran dry. He'd left the tie and jacket in his office. His shirt sleeves were rolled to just below his elbow like earlier. The top button of his shirt undone. Was it because of what she'd said?
“Girl—” Katie pretended to faint. “I'd let that man do almost anything he wanted to me. Anywhere.” She laughed. “Based on your face, you're in complete agreement. Oh, shit, he's coming this way.”
Katie continued clearing off a table.
Selena didn't move, even knowing her boss had a scowl aimed her way. Her breath quickened with each one of his long, sure steps. Perfect. Brogan was the ideal specimen of a man. Too bad he probably dated models and sophisticated women who wouldn't embarrass him.
“Selena,” he began, her name a grumble in his accent that she loved. “Two things. One, I, uh, found your cell phone.” He held it out. Had she left it in his office?
“Awesome. Thanks.”
“Typically, I’d ask you to keep it in your locker, but—”
Selena held up her hand, stopping him and smiling wide. “I know the rules, boss. What was the second thing you needed to tell me?”
“Lenny won't be in today.”
“Did you go ahead and switch him to the night shift?”
“No. I fired him.”
Katie gasped and stepped right back to her spot beside Selena. “Seriously? It was because of Lauren, wasn't it? I knew it. There's no way a woman that hot would pursue someone like Lenny.” Her voice dropped. “Did you catch them in the supply closet, too?”
Brogan looked confused and annoyed at the same time. “What? Lauren? What happened with Lauren?”
Selena answered to put him out of his misery. “She asked Lenny out on a date and then asked for better tables. She told me it worked, too. I didn't know if you knew about it or not. Plus, you know, I'm not a snitch.”
He ran a hand over his face. “I feel like I'm dealing with high schoolers.”
Selena arched an eyebrow. “Present company excluded, I'm sure.”
Katie giggled beside her. It was a little presumptuous to assume that they had some type of hesitant friendship, but still, she was twenty-eight. She didn't want to be lumped in with the hormonal drama.
Brogan's scowl darkened. “He was fired for stealing money. I just ran over the video from the bar last night.”
“Dang,” she mumbled, shaking her head. “I would have never guessed he'd have the balls to do that.” She clasped
a hand over her mouth. Exhibit “A” as to why she'd never fit in with high society. “Sorry!”
Katie nudged her. “Way to go. You'll be next on the chopping block.”
But Brogan seemed amused and not upset. Her ex-boyfriend would have frowned and scolded her like a little child.
“I can't vouch for the size of his anatomy.” Brogan crossed his arms. “It does leave us in a bind. I'd hoped to train someone else for his position. To train you, actually. Can you take over his position as shift manager?”
“When?”
“Now.”
“Me?”
She looked to Katie, who nodded. “Yes, she can.”
“Thank you, Katie,” Brogan said. “But I'd like to hear Selena's answer.”
“I...I can. If you think I'd be good at it.”
Brogan smiled. A full-fledged, outright, sexy as hell smile. Katie sighed and leaned against Selena's shoulder.
Selena managed not to let her knees grow too weak to stand. Yes. He was absolutely the perfect man. Well, aside from his stiff personality.
“I think you'll do just fine. I won't even make you wear a suit.”
Was that an attempt at sarcasm? “Thank you.”
He looked at Katie and frowned. “Is this your section?”
She squeaked and scurried away, glancing back once before rushing to her area.
“See, you don't need a suit to show people you're in charge,” Selena said. Their new relationship, friendship, whatever it was sent butterflies soaring through her body.
Brogan had fired employees each time they started a relationship at the restaurant. He sure as hell wouldn't pursue something with an employee.
He pulled at his already loosened collar. “I had someone tell me I wasn't a human. I'd hate for my employees to think I'm not a fun, likable fellow.”
“Look at that. No tie and you're mingling with the little people.” She laughed at his scowl. “What about my area if I'm taking over for Lenny?”
“I already called Trey into work. He's wanted to get on the early shift for the past few weeks.”
Great. Trey might not ask her out on dates like Lenny but discussing his video games was almost as bad. Good thing she was at a management level now. It gave her a great excuse to stay busy and away from him.
