WildLoving (7 page)

“We are. We bump heads sometimes, but we work well
together.”

She admired the rows of sparkling-clean glasses that were
shelved behind the bar, ready and waiting to be filled. All of them were
stamped with the name of the club and a random playing card, always hearts.

“So you’ve waited tables before?” he asked.

“Yes. I worked from the time I was old enough. Waitressing
was the job of choice. Flexible hours and tips.”

Nevar dragged his fingers though his hair. “I’m not sure
what Rabb has in mind for you. We could use an extra waitress, at least until
after the holiday rush. We need a dishwasher too. Our regular one called in
sick. Personally, I think he just wanted to go home for the holidays. I expect
he’ll make a miraculous recovery after the new year.”

“You’ll hold his job that long?”

Nevar shook his head. “No, but we don’t exactly have the
time to spend interviewing for it either. This is our busiest time of year.”

That was certainly true. Holiday parties were always big and
people were just more in the mood to celebrate. “I can wash dishes.” Better if
she wasn’t out among people. She didn’t want to run into someone who knew
Jason.

Nevar’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. She resisted the
urge to flinch. “You’d rather wash dishes than waitress?”

“You can always get your staff to work a few extra hours on
the floor. What you don’t have is a dishwasher,” she pointed out. Plus, she’d
just as soon not have to wear the uniforms she’d seen the waitresses wearing
last night. The blue dresses with the tight bodice and the hint of lace peeking
out probably got them a lot of tips from the men. They were tasteful but sexy,
but she didn’t have the figure to fill one out, not with the weight she’d lost.

She prayed Nevar wouldn’t ask any further questions. Then
she realized she was basically agreeing to take a job, which meant she would be
staying with Rabb, at least until she saved up enough money to rent a room.

Maybe he’d front her a loan and take so much a week out of
her pay.

Then her stomach cramped. She couldn’t afford to be on
anyone’s payroll. She had no idea how far Jason’s reach was. The man knew his
way around computers, and if there was something he couldn’t access, he had
friends. She could easily imagine him telling his buddies he wanted to keep an
eye on the crazy lady accusing him of such vile things. They’d believe him and
do whatever they could to help.

“No time like the present.” Nevar came out from behind the
bar and motioned her back down the short hallway. The office was on the right,
but the door on the left opened to a small kitchen.

“We serve sandwiches and soup for the lunch crowd and your
basic pub snacks until eight at night. The menu is limited, but what we do make
we make well. The cook will be in soon. His name is Denver. You’ll be working mostly
with him.”

Eliza nodded. The space wasn’t overly large, but it was
ruthlessly organized and squeaky clean. She approved.

A heavy knock sounded on the back door. Nevar crossed over
to it and unbolted the heavy door. A tall man in his early fifties, with short
black hair that grayed at the temples, walked in. Nevar closed and bolted the
door behind him.

“Morning, boss.” His voice was raspy, his shoulders were
thrown back and his spine was as straight as a ruler. She pegged him as former
military. He stopped when he saw her.

“Denver this is Eliza. She’s the new dishwasher, at least
temporarily.”

Eliza stuck out her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

Denver took her hand and gave it a quick pump. “Glad for the
help.”

“I’ll leave you two to get to work. Denver will show you the
ropes. I’ll be in the office if you need me for anything or have any
questions.” Nevar started to leave but paused at the last second. “You’re not
going to sneak out the back, are you?”

She wouldn’t deny she’d thought about it. Denver certainly
wouldn’t stop her. But her promise to Rabb coupled with the allure of having a
safe place to stay, earning her own money, and not having to depend on handouts
and the kindness of strangers won out. As long as she stayed out of sight,
Jason would never know she was there.

“I’ll be here when Rabb gets back,” she promised.

Nevar studied her face and then nodded. “If you need
anything, just ask. And your meals are free as well. You just have to eat
before or after the rush hour.” He turned to Denver. “I’ll leave her in your
capable hands.”

Denver gave a quick nod and then they were in the kitchen
alone. She wasn’t intimidated. She’d worked in restaurants and bars her entire
life. “Where are the aprons?”

Denver opened a drawer, pulled one out and tossed it to her.
She put it on over her clothing. Not that it mattered if they got wet or not.
It wasn’t as though she could damage jeans and a secondhand sweater.

“You up for this?” he asked. “You look as though a strong
wind would blow you over.”

She smiled at him. “I’m stronger than I look.” She’d had to
be.

“If you say so.” He obviously wasn’t convinced, but took her
at her word. “We’ve got a lot to get done before the lunch crowd starts
trickling in.”

Rabb ducked into the kitchen and stopped just inside the
door to watch Eliza. He’d checked several times today, just to make sure she
hadn’t run off. Each time, she’d been hard at work and had scowled at him until
he’d left. Right now, she was sitting at the kitchen island nursing a cup of
coffee and picking at a sandwich.

He frowned. She needed to eat more if she was going to
regain her strength. She probably shouldn’t have worked a full day either. Damn
Nevar for getting her started at work so quickly. Rabb would have preferred she
take a few days to rest and recoup first.

As soon as she saw him, her shoulders went back, and she
shook off all vestiges of exhaustion. “I’m done for the day.” There was a
challenge to her words that he couldn’t help but notice.

“I know. Denver clocked out at eight.”

“Oh.” Eliza yawned and held up her hand in front of her
mouth. “Sorry.”

“Why are you still here?”

She shrugged. “Where else was I supposed to go?”

Her answer hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. Where
else, indeed? “You should have come and found me.”

She finished her coffee, slid off the stool and deposited
her dirty mug in the sink. “Why? You were working.” She dug some plastic wrap
out of the cupboard and covered her sandwich before she put it in the
refrigerator.

She looked far too pale for his liking. They’d been busy
today so he knew she’d worked hard. Denver had told him she’d help him prep in
the kitchen when she hadn’t been busy with the dishes.

She stuffed her hands in her jeans pockets. “Can you front
me some of my pay so I can rent a place?”

He stalked toward her, trying his best to swallow his anger.
“No, I can’t.” He ignored the flash of disappointment, which was quickly
followed by a glimpse of fear as he got closer. “We’ve already been through
this. You’re staying with me.” With her back to the counter and him in front of
her, he’d left her nowhere to go.

“That’s probably not a good idea.” She crossed her arms over
her chest. Rabb knew it was a defensive mechanism designed to keep him at a
distance.

He yanked her against him, forcing her to plant her hands on
his chest if she didn’t want to be plastered against him. “I think it’s an
excellent idea,” he told her. Then he did what he’d been dying to do all day.
He kissed her. He didn’t count the quick peck he’d given her on his way out
this morning. That had been more of a tease than anything.

Eliza made a small sound. Of dismay? Of confusion? He wasn’t
quite sure. He almost stopped, would have stopped, if she hadn’t kissed him
back. Her tongue tentatively rubbed against his, warm and inviting. He pulled
her closer, running his hands up and down her slender spine before settling
them on her firm ass.

She stopped kissing him and gave him a disgruntled frown
that made her look adorable. “How do you do that?” she demanded.

“Do what?” He did his best to try to look innocent but knew
he’d failed when she pushed against him until he reluctantly released her.

Rabb decided it was for the best anyway. This wasn’t the
place to get into this kind of discussion. “Come on upstairs and we’ll talk.”

“What about work? You’re leaving Nevar to run the place on
his own again tonight,” she pointed out. A quick glance at the clock on the
wall told it was only about quarter past eight. The night was just getting
started for the club.

“He’ll live.” Rabb wrapped his arm around her shoulders and
led her out the kitchen door and down to the heavy steel door at the end of the
hallway. “I already told him I’d give him tomorrow night off.” He pulled out
his keys, unlocked the door and ushered her through.

The noise from the club declined drastically when he closed
the door. It was nothing more than a muffled sound in the distance. “Come on.
I’ve got a surprise for you.”

Eliza nibbled on her bottom lip. She really should leave,
but she was exhausted. No way would she let Rabb know that, but working a full
busy day had wiped her out. They really had been busy today, both her and
Denver hustling nonstop. She’d met most of the wait staff too as they’d hurried
in and out with orders and trays of dirty dishes.

They’d all been curious about her, but there’d been no time
for them to ask many questions. A fact for which she was very grateful.

“How are you paying me?” Oh God, she hadn’t meant to ask so
bluntly. She paused on the stairs and glanced back at him. His face was inscrutable
and he simply indicated with a jerk of his head that she should continue up the
stairs.

She held her ground. “I’m not kidding. If you put me on the
payroll, Jason might find out.” That was always a concern.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He was standing two stairs below her so she could look him
in the eye. “Don’t worry about it?” She poked her index finger against his
chest. “That’s the best you can do?” She poked him again. “Of course, I’m
worried about it.”

“Ah, we don’t mean to interrupt, but we’re on our way out.”
Eliza spun around at the sound of the female voice and might have fallen down
the stairs if Rabb hadn’t caught her.

The woman was tall and lean with silky black hair and dark
eyes. She was wearing a bright-red coat and short-brimmed hat that looked like
something from the nineteen twenties. The hat was the same vibrant color of the
coat. The man’s eyes twinkled a deep brown. He was stocky and his hair was the
same color as Rabb’s. Oh God, these were his parents.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. This is Eliza.” Rabb rested his hand
against her lower back and rubbed. Strangely enough, she found the gesture
comforting. “Eliza, these are my parents, Irene and Frank Hatter.”

“It’s nice to meet you, dear.” Eliza found herself enveloped
in a big perfumed hug. “We’d love to stay and chat, but we’re already late for
the Grishams’ Christmas party.” She gave Eliza a speculative gaze. “You must
come by for tea tomorrow.”

“Ah. Ah, okay.” Eliza didn’t know what else to say. She’d
make up an excuse tomorrow and bow out. Work, yes, she’d be working. “Nice to
meet you too.” She inclined her head at Frank Hatter, and he winked back at
her. And just what was she supposed to make of that?

Rabb eased her to the side of the staircase so his parents
could continue on down. Eliza rested her forehead against the wall, barely
resisting knocking her head against it a few times. Talk about embarrassing.
Her clothing was ragged and she was sweaty and as limp as a wet dishrag after
working all day. Not exactly a great impression.

“Hey, don’t worry about them. They liked you.”

She lifted her head. “And you could tell that how?”

“Mom hugged you.”

There was nothing to be done about it now, and she had
nothing to be ashamed of. “No offense, Rabb, but I get the feeling your mom is
the kind of woman who hugs everyone.”

A huge grin split Rabb’s face. “You’ve met her before?” he
teased. She found herself smiling in spite of herself. “Come on.” He urged her
to continue up the stairs. “You look ready to drop.”

She was ready to drop, but she’d never admit it. “I’m fine.”

Rabb kept any further opinions to himself as they finished
the trek up the stairs. By the time they reached the blue door, she was ready
to lie down on the floor and close her eyes. She stifled another yawn as he
unlocked the door and held it for her.

Her coat and knapsack were right where she’d left them.

She really should head out, but it was too late to get a bed
at the shelter. They went early, especially in the cold weather.

Eliza sniffed. Why was she smelling pine trees? She took a
step closer to the tantalizing scent and stopped next to the sofa.

Rabb flipped a switch that turned on a lamp in the living
room and there in the corner of the room, already in a stand was a five-foot
fir tree. “Do you like it?” he asked. “I thought maybe we could decorate it
after you’d had a bath and a bite to eat if you’re hungry. You didn’t have more
than a mouthful of the sandwich you had downstairs.”

Tears pricked her eyes. Last Christmas had been a lonely one
for her. She’d spent the day working and had gone home by herself and eaten
canned turkey soup. There’d been no tree, or lights or presents. No one to
spend the holiday with. “Why?” she asked.

Rabb sighed and raked his fingers through his thick brown
hair, leaving it spiked on the top of his head. “Because I thought you might
enjoy it. Because I wanted to share it with you.”

His simple explanation almost tore her heart out. “Oh Rabb.
What am I going to do with you?”

It was meant as more of a rhetorical question, but he
answered her. “Love me.” He reached out and cupped her face in his large hands.
“Let me love you back.”

He was killing her. She did love him, right to the core of
her being, but she couldn’t tell him that. “My life is a mess,” she pointed
out.

He rubbed his thumbs over her cheekbones. “Right now, right
here, it’s only you, me. And the tree,” he added.

She laughed in spite of herself. That’s what Rabb had always
done for her. He was serious and staid around most people, but around her he’d
always let down his guard. She hadn’t realized what a gift that was until now.

He lowered his mouth until it hovered over hers, the warmth
of his breath luring her closer. She went up on her toes and touched her lips
against his. He warmed her, welcomed her.

He murmured to her, words of encouragement, hot sexy words
that made her blush. Before she realized it, he had her half naked, her sweater
and the rest of the top layers pulled off and discarded.

“Right here. Right now.” He punctuated that statement with a
hot, passionate kiss that left her breathless.

He stepped back long enough to yank off his shirt and toss
it aside. Her breath caught in her throat. Rabb was built. There was no other
way to put it. His chest and shoulders were broad, his biceps huge and his abs
ripped. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to seeing him like this. A
tempting pelt of hair covered the center of his chest. It thinned out as it got
lower until only a slender line headed toward his bellybutton.

His big hands cupped her breasts. His lips found hers and
Eliza gave up all pretense of leaving, because that’s what it was. Pretense.
She didn’t want to leave Rabb. This was where she wanted to be. For right or
wrong, she was staying as long as Rabb wanted her.

He thumbed her nipples, making them draw even tighter. His
touch shot through her and the sensation landed deep in her pussy, making her
ache. Her toes curled in anticipation of having his cock buried deep inside
her.

Rabb nibbled on her neck, finding the places that drove her
wild. He nipped at her earlobes and she dug her fingernails into his shoulders.
He made a sound of pleasure and then dropped to his knees in front of her.

He slowly pulled down the zipper on her jeans as if he were
unwrapping a present. The rapt expression on his face drove her temperature up
another few degrees. She tangled her fingers in his hair and tilted his head
back. “I do care,” she told him. She wanted him to know this was more than just
sex for her.

“I know.” His tone was as gentle as his hands as he peeled
her jeans and panties down her legs. They caught around her ankles and he took
the time to remove her shoes and socks before he finished stripping her naked.

He was still half dressed and she was wearing nothing. She
shivered even though she wasn’t cold. There was too much heat being generated
by them. Rabb ran his hands up and down her legs, moving inward with each
stroke. Eliza held her breath as his fingers moved closer to her pussy but he
stopped short.

“Tease,” she accused. Rabb laughed and kissed her just below
her navel. She sucked in her stomach when the caress tickled her skin.

“Lean back against the sofa and spread your legs.” His
sexual command made her tense with arousal. She rested her butt against the
back of the sofa and gripped the edges with her hands. Then she slowly widened
her stance.

“That’s what I want.” Rabb shifted so he was kneeling right
between her spread legs. He placed a hand on either knee and stroked upward,
stopping only when he reached the crease where her legs and torso met. Using
his thumbs, he spread her pussy wide and studied her.

She should be flushed with embarrassment, not arousal. But
she was beyond embarrassment. “Touch me.” This time it was her giving the
commands.

He looked up at her and gave her a smile that would have
melted her socks if she’d been wearing any. He stroked a thick finger over her,
dipping into her slit. “Like that?”

She wiggled her hips, wanting him deeper. “More.”

“Hmm.” He teased her slick folds before returning to her
opening. She quivered when he hesitated.

“Rabb.” She gripped his hair and yanked him toward her.

He laughed, low and deep. Then he plunged two thick fingers
deep into her core.

Eliza moaned and rocked her hips when he withdrew. He curled
his fingers, hitting her sweet spot before plunging deep again. She didn’t
recognize the sounds she made as she urged him to do it again, to do whatever
he wanted.

“Hold your pussy open for me. Show me how much you want me.”

She didn’t even think of disobeying him. Eliza reached
between her legs and spread her pussy lips wide. Rabb made a deep humming
sound. “That’s what I want. You belong to me, Eliza.”

Before his statement could freak her out, he captured her
clit between his lips and flicked the tiny nub with his tongue, driving her
wild. He plunged his fingers in and out of her body. His fingers dug into her
ass as he pulled her closer.

She wanted to move but couldn’t. Rabb held her a willing,
sensual prisoner. He ate her pussy and finger-fucked her until she screamed his
name. She came hard and fast, her cream spilling over his fingers. Her inner
muscles spasmed. Still, he didn’t stop. He drove her ruthlessly until she was
almost at the point of coming again.