by Alison Mello
“That’s pretty cool.” Skyler’s tone is flat, and I feel like she’s thinking about Dugan’s and I want to get her mind off it.
“When I saw you walk into the club that first night with Sadie my whole mentality changed. I was in such a bad mood that night. I was pissed Kelly had called out and I was stuck behind the bar even though I knew it was a good place for me to be. I knew it was my chance to earn the respect of my bartenders and show them I can work it too, but I didn’t want to be there.” I rub her back some more, trickling warm water down it. “When I saw your beautiful face sit down in front of me I couldn’t help but smile and I had to fight not to stare at you.” I can feel her smile against my chest. “Stop blushing.”
Skyler laughs. “How did you know?”
“Because I could feel you smile and I can see it creeping up your chest. You turned my night around. I watched you every chance I could.”
“I was trying to watch you too, and I was brushing guys off because I didn’t want you to think I was out trolling.”
“Let’s get out and dry off. The water is starting to chill and I don’t want you cold.” We climb out of the tub and I wrap her in a big fluffy towel. “Stay here for a minute. I’m going to get you a pair of my sweatpants and a t-shirt. Tomorrow I have some clothes being delivered here for you so you’ll have some things here of your own.”
She looks at me, slightly angry. “What do you mean ‘delivered’?”
“I called a friend of mine who happens to be a personal shopper and ordered you some clothes to be delivered.”
Skyler’s pacing the room, totally freaking out.
“Cancel it. We can go to my house and get some clothes to bring here.”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Why would I cancel it?”
“Why? Because I can’t afford a personal shopper. I spent my entire savings getting here and getting settled. I can’t go shopping with personal shoppers. You don’t understand, when my mom and dad died, I had the bare necessities. Clothes, a bed, and some small pieces of furniture. I had already decided I was heading out west but needed to save some money to get here so I only bought the basics. I even stopped dating because I was too focused on getting here. When my parents died in a car crash they had minimal insurance. I sold everything I could to give them a burial and used what was left from selling everything, including their house, to get here. I met Sadie and have been busting my tail since.”
“Skyler, look at me.” She stops pacing and looks up at me. “I’m not asking you to pay for this. I bought it because I want you to be able to stay here without having to worry about packing. And, well, because you told me if I was going to keep ripping your panties I would have to replace them.”
“You don’t understand, Logan. My parents didn’t have a lot when I was growing up. I have always had to rely on myself to get what I wanted or needed. They tried hard and loved me dearly but struggled in life.”
“Let me take care of you, Skyler. You’ll never struggle again, I promise.”
“You’re asking a lot of me, Logan. I’ll try.” She stands tall, slipping on my pants and a t-shirt.
“Good. I know I promised you I wouldn’t take full charge of your life, but after this shit of leaving the bar on your own, you’re making it hard for me to keep my promise. I want to take care of you. Don’t make me take control of you.” She nods and then looks down. “Good, now I have to get downstairs before I burn our dinner.”
Chapter 8
Skyler
I awake to Logan’s arms pulling me closer to him while his legs are intertwined with mine. His hands on me make me want to feel his lips on me too. He hasn’t touched me since my attack and I’m aching for it. I want to erase the thoughts of that scumbag’s hands on my body. I gently rub up and down his semi-hard erection and I can feel it growing through his pajama pants. He moans in his sleep. I continue stroking him, kissing his chest and licking his nipple. He finally wakes.
“What are you doing, Sky?” His voice is raspy and it sounds sexy as hell.
“I’m trying to wake you in a fun and seductive way.”
He laughs and says with his eyes closed, “I don’t think I’m ready.”
I sit up to look at him. “What do you mean you’re not ready?”
“I mean I was really pissed at you the other day when I found out you left the bar alone and I have wanted to smack that ass until it’s beet red ever since. I’m not sure I can control that, and you’re not ready for that kind of intensity.”
“Who says I’m not ready? Today is Tuesday and the doctor said I could go back to normal activity today if I haven’t had any headaches, and I haven’t. You don’t understand. I have to erase this scene from my head. I need you to touch me so I know we’re okay and you still want me after someone else tried to take what’s yours.”
“You think I haven’t had sex with you because another man put his hands on you?”
I nod, no longer able to look at him.
“Sweetie, I never meant to give you that impression. Me not touching you has only to do with you healing, not anything with this asshole hurting you.” He rolls onto his side and presses me down into the mattress. He brushes my cheek with the back of his fingers and leans in to kiss me softly on my lips. “You’re so beautiful and I want to take away your fears. I’m going to smack that ass of yours, so you’ll remember to never leave a bar alone again, and then I’m going to make sweet love to you. You have to promise me if it’s too much you’ll tell me to stop. I’ll try to go easy on you since you have never done anything like this before.”
I grin and nod excitedly. He climbs off the bed, pulling the comforter with him. He grabs my legs and pulls me to the foot of the bed, flipping me over so my legs are hanging over the edge of the bed. His bed is so high that my toes barely reach the floor. He tells me not to move and I hear him moving around the room. I have no idea what he’s doing because I’m lying on my stomach, and since I don’t want to disappoint him I remain as still as I can. I was already wet for him, and now the anticipation is causing even more moisture to build between my legs. I’m so deep in thought I don’t even realize he’s behind me until his hand comes down on my ass. I gasp at the sting of the blow.
“Count,” he grunts.
I take a deep breath. “One.” He bends down and kisses where he hit me then immediately smacks me again in a different spot. “Two.” Holy shit that hurts, but it’s so hot at the same time. He rubs my ass, his warm hands massaging me gently before his hand comes down again, this time lower, almost smacking my pussy at the same time. I’m lost in the realization that I’m enjoying this.
“Count!” he growls.
“Four.”
He laughs at me. “That was three. You earned one more.” He smacks me again.
“Four,” I say instantly.
“Your ass looks amazing. Two more and I’m going to give you what you want.” When he smacks me this time I shout, “Five!” I realize it doesn’t hurt so much anymore and now I’m excited with anticipation. He gives me the last one. “Six!”
His hands are rubbing over my ass, then head up my back. His hands are warm, and my skin burns with every touch. He slides two fingers deep inside me and moans in my ear as he bends over me. “Woman, you’re so wet from me spanking you. I think you definitely liked that.” He continues to fuck me with his fingers. “You did good, sweetie. Now I’m going to reward you with an orgasm, are you ready?”
“Yes please, Logan!” He flips me over and kneels on the floor in front of me. He places one leg over each of his shoulders and buries his face between my legs. He sticks his tongue out and licks up all of my juices like he’s licking a popsicle.
He takes my clit in his mouth. “Mmmm,” he says with his lips still around my clit, suckling on it, and the vibration nearly makes me combust. He pulls away to start licking it hard and fast. That’s my undoing. As I explode his tongue leaves my clit and he buries it deep inside me so he can fuck me with it as I or
gasm all over his face.
Once he’s satisfied he has gotten every last drop, he stands with my legs in his hands. He slams himself deep inside me and I groan out as I adjust to him. Without pause he’s giving me what I wanted. He’s pounding in and out of me, giving me every inch of him. His hands are on my hips squeezing them tight, pulling me toward him, forcing me to meet him thrust for thrust. My orgasm is building and quickly.
“Come on, Sky!” He doesn’t relent until I give him what he wants. “Yes,” he groans as my orgasm tears through me. My legs are shaking. “I love how you milk me for everything I’ve got,” he says as he empties into me.
“Let’s take a quick shower and then I’ll make us some breakfast.”
He pulls out of me, and we both head into the shower. He seems distant even after we’ve had incredible sex, and I need to know what’s going through his head. I give him a minute to process and see if he’ll bring it up himself, but if not I’ll talk to him at breakfast.
I start the shower and step in. While I’m wetting my hair, he steps into the shower and pulls me into a hug.
“What is it, Logan?”
He shakes his head. “Wash. I need to feed you.”
“Listen, I know you like to be in charge in the bedroom and I’m okay with that, but you need to stop treating me like a kid. I’m your girlfriend.”
He looks at me with raised brows. “How am I treating you like a kid?”
“Really, Logan? ‘Wash. I need to feed you?’ Totally ignoring the fact that something is clearly bothering you. If you're not ready to talk about it fine, say so, but don’t act like it isn’t there.”
He closes his eyes and runs his hands through his hair. I can tell he’s thinking about what he’s feeling and how to handle it.
After I rinse off, I say, “I’m done here so I’m going to start breakfast. We can talk while we eat.”
I get out of the shower, dry off, and head into the bedroom so I can pick something to wear from the clothes he had delivered for me. He made it sound like there were going to be a few outfits delivered. In reality he had an entire wardrobe delivered. It’s quite ridiculous.
I head downstairs to make a cup of coffee. I find a box of pancake batter, as well as a pack of bacon and fresh strawberries in the fridge. I start mixing the batter, adding my secret ingredients before he gets downstairs. I turn on the oven and lay out the bacon on a pan so I can get it going before I start making the pancakes. Logan has a griddle built right into his cooktop and it’s pretty freaking cool. I love his kitchen and you can tell it’s set up for someone who enjoys cooking.
I feel two hands wrap around me from behind. “I’m sorry, Skyler,” he says as he kisses the side of my head.
“What are you sorry for?”
He pauses for a moment before he moves my hair to one side and kisses my neck. “I’m sorry for not telling you that this entire event scared the shit out of me. For not letting you know I care about you so much that when I heard you screaming on the phone I was freaking out because I thought I was going to lose you. And most importantly for not telling you…I love you, Skyler. I didn’t think it was possible to feel so strongly about someone in such a short period of time, but I do. I have such strong feelings for you that I don’t even like what I just did to you. I hate that I spanked you and I wish I could take it back.”
I turn around to face him, placing one hand on each side of his face and pull him in to kiss him. “Thank you for being honest with me. I’m sorry I scared you, and I promise I’ll never do it again. I work for you now, so I’m sure my new boss will make sure I get home safely.” I grin playfully, trying to lighten the mood. “As far as you spanking me, I didn’t mind it. If you don’t ever do it again because you don’t want to, that is okay too, but don’t beat yourself up over it.”
He smiles and nods at me.
“Good, now let me get to work making you my famous pancakes.”
He steps aside. “Famous pancakes, huh? Do you know that I love pancakes?”
“I didn’t know that. I hope you like my pancakes.” I pour batter onto the now-hot griddle while he makes coffee. The thought is not lost on me that he said he loves me and I didn’t say it back. I feel bad that I didn’t, but I want to tell him when he’ll know I’m saying it because I mean it not simply in response to him saying it.
We sit to eat and he’s devouring my pancakes. I wonder if he’s hungry from our morning sexcapade or because he’s enjoying them.
“What?” he asks when he notices I’m watching him intently.
“Are you that hungry or are you enjoying them that much? You look like you're in college after an all-nighter.”
“Both. These pancakes are delicious and that makes me glad that I’m so hungry.”
I shake my head and put two more pancakes on his plate, which he quickly devours.
***
Logan
We walk into the club at 5:30. I want to show Skyler around, though first I take her to my office to have her fill out employee paperwork so I can add her to the payroll. I want all of this done before the staff gets here. I need to make sure they do not treat her differently because she’s my girlfriend. While she fills everything out, I work at my computer checking on posters and such for the upcoming singles night. We’ll be handing out postcards this week to start the promoting and we have flyers up around the club.
When she’s finally done I show her which bar is bar one and which is bar two. I fill her in on the rotation of bartending and runners and let her know that tips are shared evenly so runners don’t get screwed out of tips for the night.
“I have also come up with a classy vase that you can put on the stage with a rose in it for tips while you’re singing. I’ll have a few ones in it each night for you at the start of the night so people realize it’s for tips. We need to finalize a list of music for that night and have a list of songs patrons can request.”
“No problem,” Skyler says.
I show her the back room and the sign-out sheet, filling her in on how we caught Troy stealing from me. As we make our way back out to the first bar, Jonah and Shane come walking in.
Jonah gives Skyler a hug. “Hey, Sky, how you feeling?”
“I’m good. Thanks again for coming to my rescue with Logan.”
He grins at me. “No need to thank me. That’s what friends are for.”
“Shane, I’m counting on you to make sure that no one treats Skyler any differently because she’s my girlfriend,” I say. “When she’s here she’s part of the team, and I expect her to be treated that way.”
“You got it, Logan.” He looks at Skyler. “If you have any problems at all, come see me.”
She nods at him. “Thanks, Shane.”
A short time later the remainder of the team is here, and I get the meeting started. “Thank you all for coming in tonight!” I call loudly to get everyone’s attention. “I’m sure most of you noticed that Troy disappeared on Saturday evening, and that’s because he has been fired and arrested for theft.” I pause. “Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my assistant manager was the one stealing from me. So you all know, I’m pressing charges. I do not take matters like this lightly. I’m telling you because I like the team of people I have working for me. I hope that you like working here too and wouldn’t risk your jobs over some alcohol. It doesn’t matter who it is. You’ll be removed from my club immediately. I have promoted Shane to my new assistant manager, so he won’t be working behind the bar with you as much. However, that doesn’t mean I’m leaving you shorthanded. Some of you have seen Skyler here around the club already. She’s going to be our live entertainment for singles night, and she’s also joining our bartending staff as well to replace Shane. I have had the opportunity to see her sing and work a bar, and she does a fine job at both. Please welcome her, because she’ll work hard with you. I have one last announcement before I take questions. I have created a new position, head bouncer, and have offered it to Jonah. He has the experience and has be
en around this club the longest, so if you’re a part of the bouncing crew you now report to him, not me. He’ll make your schedules and deal with any issues you may have. Please see him going forward. If I need to be involved he’ll come to me.”
“Now, does anyone have any questions for either me, Shane, or Jonah?”
“Will Jonah still be working the club in the same capacity, or will we be hiring another bouncer to replace him?” one of the bartenders asks.
I look at Jonah and give him the go ahead.
“I plan on still working the club,” Jonah replies. “The responsibilities I have taken on as head bouncer will not get in the way of me working the floor, and I still want to be out here with my team.”
Most appear happy with his response, though there’s one or two who look like they were hoping he would back off, probably so they could get more hours.
“Anyone else?” I ask before I wrap this up.
“What is Shane going to be doing if he won’t be working the bar?” Shawna asks.
“We haven’t fully ironed out all of his responsibilities yet,” I answer, “but he’ll be running for you guys, and he’s going to be in charge of all bartenders the same way Jonah is for bouncers. If you have a problem or you need time off, you need to go to him.” When no more questions are forthcoming, I say, “Are we good?”
Everyone nods and looks pretty happy.
“Good. Then get out of here so I can take my girl to dinner.”
When they start filing out of the room, some are welcoming Skyler to the team as they say goodbye, and some leave without saying a word.
I can now take Skyler to dinner and then we need to pick up her car so she can move it to my house for work tomorrow.
