Movement catches my eye when a man in front of me begins snapping his fingers in my face. “Hello? Is anyone home? I need a fucking drink!” the man slurs. I bring my attention to him and plaster on my fake smile, ignoring the sinking feeling in my stomach from the scene I just witnessed.
“I’m sorry, sir. What can I get for you?” I ask, the words escaping through my teeth. He looks at me curiously then goes back to his original thought.
“A drink, I said. A drink! Give me a beer.” His voice comes out sloppily and it’s very clear that he’s already had too much. He slouches against the bar and looks around without focusing on any one thing. He goes to slide onto one of the barstools and misses, falling directly to the floor.
“I think it’s time to cut you off, sir. How are you getting home?” I inquire, mildly concerned. His face scrunches in irritation and he stands quickly, slamming his fist down on the bar.
“You bitch! You don’t tell me how much I can drink!” he yells, attempting to lean over the bar and into the cooler holding some of our bottled beer. I slam the door shut and push his hand away.
“This is your last warning, sir. It’s time for you to go. Leave now or I’ll call the bouncer,” I grate out, glaring at the man. Before he can react, Dean is standing next to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. His touch sends chills through my body and I jump slightly at his quick appearance. His presence immediately relaxes me, and I suddenly feel safe.
“Do you need assistance, Rose?” Dean questions in his calm voice, but he’s staring daggers at the drunk man. “Do I need to remove you, sir?”
“Dean. Dean Whitaker? No. Nothing. I was just going.” The man straightens his shirt and backs away from the bar. A breath of relief escapes my throat as he turns and begins heading toward the exit. The relief I feel that the man realized who Dean was is evident in my stance. I know Dean would have had no problem with the man, but I honestly didn’t want to have to witness the aftermath.
“Thank you, Dean. I wasn’t sure how that was going to turn out, you know how these assholes get,” I say, as I look up at him with a smile. He’s tall, much taller than me, but I can still see how beautiful he is in the darkness of the club. The red glow on his pale skin makes him look like he’s been carved from granite. The lines on his face are straight and ridged. I know that all the other women in the bar are also admiring him, which brings my attention back to Finn and his companion.
“You shouldn’t have to deal with this shit, Rose. Next time, call Reg or one of us.” He pauses, noticing my preoccupation with Finn. “She’s just a friend.” My breath catches at his attempt to reassure me, and I smile slightly that he felt the need to.
I snort, looking up at him with my brow raised. “Heh. A friend, eh? I’ve never greeted a friend like that,” I reply with a grimace, staring at Finn and the woman as they practically maul each other’s faces.
“He won’t know her name in the morning. Won’t care about her name. She’s no one,” he states, never taking his gaze off me. I roll my eyes then bring my attention back to him.
“It’s fine. I don’t care.” I try to be nonchalant, but I know I’m not coming off that way. I hate it. I abhor when any of them are with other women. Which happens a lot. It’s fucking ridiculous. There is nothing between us. Never has been and never will be. Only rushed flirting and touches that mean nothing. I’m just the fat girl they hired to bartend. Why would they want me when they can have all these thin women who throw themselves all over them every night? They are my bosses. Nothing more.
This time, Dean quirks his brow at me. “Right.” He pauses like he wants to say something then stops, staring at me with an odd expression. His fingers brush my bangs away from my eyes then linger on my cheek. “You really do look beautiful tonight, Rose.” He leaves just as the words exit his mouth. My cheeks heat with a blush as I try to get my breathing under wraps. I watch him walk into the crowd until he disappears in the bodies that continue to dance the night away, oblivious to the moment that just happened between one of the owners and the bartender. My eyes find Sebastian’s, and he looks at me with concern before nodding and going back to the conversation with the woman in front of him.
I reach below the bar to grab a wet rag and start cleaning the bar a bit, seizing empty glasses and tips left behind. The music rattles in my chest, and I try to concentrate on that and the patrons instead of the jealousy I feel watching these men I’ve fallen for spending their time with other women.
Rose
I walk down the street slowly, watching my feet on the cobblestone. I’m keeping these fucking shoes, I think with a smile, taking this small satisfaction and running with it. Metaphorically of course, since I don’t run. I feel relaxed as I walk under the streetlights, comforted that almost no one is out this late. But also frustrated since nothing is open this late in town. I would love some coffee right now and maybe something sweet.
A light flashes out of the corner of my eye and I see that Jewels Café is slightly lit up inside. I walk over, knowing they are closed but hoping that maybe I can sweet talk one of them into letting me inside. The owners live upstairs, so they have to understand my need for coffee, even in the middle of the night. The old building looks different in the dark, but it’s still so gorgeous. The gray awnings hold some snow on top that hasn’t yet melted, and all their beautiful flowers have died in the cold. In the spring, this place is at its most beautiful as all the flowers begin to bloom.
I walk up to the glass and peer inside, seeing Julian standing behind the counter without a shirt. I admire the scene, always having found the man attractive. He’s nice to look at, but definitely taken, and I’m okay with that. Amber is amazing and they are completely perfect together. Plus, they keep me caffeinated on the daily so kudos to them. I tap my manicured finger on the glass and when Julian looks up, I smile guiltily mouthing, “I’m sorry” to him. He smiles and walks over to the door, and I thank my lucky stars that he has pajama pants on. The view would be nice, but not worth the embarrassment. I have to come here every day as it’s the only coffee place in town, and it’d be hard to show my face after seeing Julian Jr. Hard, but not impossible.
He clicks the locks and pushes the door open, letting me step in. The cold air blows behind me, but the warmth of the café invites me inside. “Hey, Rose, just getting off work?” he asks in his calm, soothing voice.
“Yes, and it’s been a hell of a night. I was hoping you’d be up making coffee,” I reply with a smirk, taking my coat off and setting it on one of the couches near the entrance with my purse.
“Of course, I couldn’t sleep, and I didn’t want to wake Bean, so I came down here. I hope you don’t mind a PSL.” He moves behind the counter and grabs the mug I always use when I come here. A mug with a small pink crystal on the side right above their Jewels Café logo.
The first time I came in, Amber, or Bean as Julian so adorably calls her, asked my name then handed the mug right to me. “It’s perfect for you. That’s rose quartz. It means you have to keep coming in,” she informed me with a laugh. Amber is the type of person that feels like your best friend, even if you barely know her. I knew I was hooked after I had a taste of the people and the coffee. I come in here often to vent about work and my way too sexy bosses, knowing that no one will spill my secrets. Even a bartender needs someone to talk to, okay?
“PSL? It’s almost January! You have to be the only person still serving Pumpkin Spice Lattes.” My laugh carries in the empty café and I quiet myself, hoping I didn’t wake Amber. “Don’t take that as complaining though. I’m basic enough to agree that PSLs should be a year-round treat.”
He smiles as he makes the drink in my special cup. I feel myself immediately relax as I sink into the chair at the counter. The smell floats through the air and I begin salivating. When he sets the cup right in front of me, he lifts the top off a tray of donuts, setting them in front of me as well. Yum. “You read my mind, Julian,” I say, as I snatch a strawberry frosted donut from th
e tray.
“I hope you like it, Rose, it’s our special recipe. This is the last of them though, so enjoy.” Julian’s smirk causes me to raise my brow at him, but I proceed to take the first wonderful sip of my Pumpkin Spice Latte. I moan in happiness as the warmth travels down my throat. “God, that’s good,” I murmur, blushing as Amber walks down the stairs, her hair disheveled as she squints at the bright light.
“Hey, Rose, what are you doing here?” she inquires sleepily, walking over and putting her arms around Julian’s waist. “Rough night with those men again?” I nod, slowly taking another long drink of my latte. It burns my tongue slightly, but it’s so worth the pain. It tastes more delicious tonight than it ever has, and I can almost feel the caffeine moving through my body. I mentally shake my head. I know I can’t feel caffeine, but I can feel something, maybe it’s sleep deprivation.
“Yes. I’m sorry to drop in like this, Amber, and for waking you up,” I tell her sheepishly, as I continue to drink my yummy goodness. My apology would probably sound more sincere if I wasn’t swooning over my drink.
“Oh, sweetie, don’t worry about it,” Amber croons. “You’re a catch, and if those idiots don’t see that then it’s their loss.” She nuzzles her face into Julian’s neck, and it brings a smile to my face. They are so cute together. I want that. I want it so much. Pictures of Finn, Dean, and Sebastian flash in my head. I want it with them.
I tip my head back and finish up my drink, wiping the cream from my mouth. “Thank you for the nightcap you guys, and the conversation. I really appreciate it.”
“Of course. See you tomorrow?” Amber questions, never losing her smile.
“Without a doubt. Goodnight, you two,” I call, as I gather my coat and purse, and walk back into the cold. The night doesn’t feel as chilly after my delightfully warm drink. I smile as I pull my coat together and walk toward my apartment, feeling a warmth in my chest that seems like more than just the drink. It feels like hope and a bit of horniness.
Finn
I withdraw my fangs from the nameless woman’s neck with a snap. A picture of Rose flashes through my head and I freeze. Thinking of her is not uncommon, my brothers’ and my fascination with her is strong, and if it wasn’t for the importance of our cover within the human world, we would have already taken her. No, the accompanying pull is what has me freezing.
I lean down and swipe my tongue across the mark on the sleeping woman’s throat, closing the wounds. I feel sated from the blood and a bit tired, but that doesn’t stop me from jumping out of bed and walking into the living room of our loft. Living above the nightclub has been a major convenience for all of us, though living together has not always been easy, and we’ve lived together for a long time. Even being vampire doesn’t stop quarrelling between brothers. Right now, I’m very grateful for the closeness.
I stick my head in Sebastian’s room and see him sleeping next to the woman he brought upstairs tonight. She’s just as unremarkable as the one I brought up, but I cannot blame him for his tastes, we take what we can get. “Seb, wake up. Now,” I growl low enough to not wake the human, but loud enough to rouse my brother.
“What is it, Finn? Can’t you see I’m fucking sleeping?” he grumbles, rolling over and putting his cock on full display. I groan and throw some shorts at him.
“Get dressed, we need to talk,” I order, as I turn to leave the room. I know he’ll listen, even if he’s going to be a grumpy bastard about it. When I get into the living room, I find that Dean is already there and the expression on his face is laced with concern.
“Finn, what are you doing up? What’s wrong?” he asks, looking over my shoulder to see Sebastian getting dressed.
“Something is wrong. I was feeding on that woman and I thought of Rose,” I tell both of my brothers.
“Big deal, how is that different from any other time?” Sebastian scoffs, appearing annoyed as he drags his hand down his sleepy face. “Is this really what you fucking woke me up for?”
“This was different, it’s a pull. Something—ugh, I can’t explain it.” I look to Dean, hoping for help. Dean squints his eyes at me, then glances at Seb.
“I felt it too. It’s like I need to get to her. Need her like I need blood. Something has changed.” Dean’s face shows strain as he explains exactly what I’m feeling. “Just think about her, Seb. Concentrate on her.”
Seb quirks his eyebrow at both of us, but complies, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. “I feel…hard. I mean, yeah, I want to fuck her. I always have. I want her,” he admits critically. I roll my eyes and look at Dean, waiting for where he’s going with this.
“Okay, well, that’s never going to happen,” Dean grits out, side-eying me. His words immediately send rage through my veins and I snap my head in his direction.
Not going to happen? Fuck that, I think, as my hands clench into fists. I look at Seb and see the same reaction from him. His eyes have flown open and they are completely dilated. His pure black orbs, paired with the outraged growl that leaves his mouth, would terrify me if I wasn’t one hundred percent on board with it.
Rose is ours.
Dean grabs his shoulders, leveling their gazes, and growls back. “See? Something has changed. What kind of fucking reaction is that? We have always known we can’t have her. What’s different now?” he muses, and Seb’s face immediately changes. Realization crosses his features and his eyes land on me.
“What the fuck is going on?” he grits out, his eyebrows drawn in worry. We can’t have her. We can’t. We have gone over this time and time again. It just won’t work. That thought alone feels like someone is physically reaching into my chest and crushing my heart.
“What are we going to do, Dean?” I question the most realistic of us. If it wasn’t for him, Seb or I would have fucked Rose already, and although it would be amazing, it would be a mistake. We can’t take her life and destroy it for our own selfish reasons.
“I-I don’t know.” His voice wavers. Dean’s uncertainty scares me more than anything.
We are so royally fucked.
Rose
I wake up from the best dream and a deep sigh escapes my throat. Fuck, why did it have to be a dream? The things Finn, Sebastian, and Dean were doing to me—holy shit, I wish it wasn’t a dream. I’ve never wanted them more than I want them right now, and I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want them, ever. The thought of all three of them taking me at once has me squeezing my legs together. I roll over to grab my cell phone and look at the time. Two o’clock in the afternoon. Only four more hours until work. What kind of nutcase counts down to work? In eagerness?
A nutcase that has a crush on her bosses.
My screen flashes as an incoming text notification shows at the top.
Finn: Can u come in early?
My heart skips a beat. They rarely ask me to come in early, if ever. What could they possibly need? I bite my lip in thought and stare at my screen, my fingers shaking as they hover over the keyboard. Play it cool, I just need to play it cool.
Rose: Sure. What’s up?
I type the message and reread it about a thousand times before I hit send and slam my eyes closed. Why the fuck am I so nervous? He’s my boss. They are all my bosses. This means nothing.
Finn: Nothing to worry about. C u soon.
Nothing to worry about. What the fuck does that mean? Who doesn’t read that and immediately thinks there is something to worry about? C u soon. What the fuck is happening? I send a thumbs up emoji and set my phone down, breathing quickly. Possibly hyperventilating.
Okay. This is fine, I think as I stand up and look in the mirror. I run my fingers through my tangled hair and try to make sense of the feelings swarming in my chest. It seems impossible to put together a coherent thought.
What do I wear? Should I bring back the random woman’s flip-flops? Should I put makeup on? What the fuck is happening?
A shower. First a shower, then makeup, black lacy dress, coffee, then the bar. I can do
this. I’m keeping the fucking shoes, Cinderella should keep better track of her things.
I quickly rush through my shower, but take care to shave my legs and armpits. Not that I need to, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. My face burns as I scrub it clean, removing the leftover makeup from last night, then apply moisturizer. I put my hair in a towel and put on a light layer of foundation and eyeshadow. Just a few final touches of eyeliner and mascara to make my eyes pop, and some light pink lip stain, then bam! Perfection.
That’ll do, pig, that’ll do, I think to myself with a smile. Not because I’m chunky—rude—but because Babe is an amazing fucking movie.
A loud meow pulls me from my own thoughts as my precious orange baby comes padding into the room.
“Hi, Pumpkin!” I coo as he jumps onto the counter, nearly knocking over my perfume. My left hand steadies the bottle as my right rubs the gorgeous cat behind his ear. His purrs reverberate in the small bathroom and I bend down to kiss him on the top of his head. His shedding causes my throat to immediately seize, and I cough to clear the hair I feel in my esophagus. I love him despite my allergies. So what if I have to take a crap ton of allergy medicine? I love my baby boy.
Rose: A Standalone Paranormal Reverse Harem Romance (Jewels Cafe Book 12) Page 2
