Work Like You Don't Need the Money (2 page)

She would be Emma's Maid of Honor when he himself was Jack's Best Man. He couldn't afford to act on his desire for her, because their lives were going to be entangled for the next few months, at least. He couldn't risk sleeping with the bridesmaid before the wedding... could he? He pursed his lips. No! Damn you Pete, no! That's not part of the plan.

He lived his life according to his plan. Always had.  His plan was the driving force behind Phoenix, the construction company he and Jack had founded ten years ago. His plan gave shape to everything he did, everything he was. He didn't deviate from it, certainly wouldn't do so for a woman, there was no room for the complication of someone who interested him as much as Holly did. The plan was to work for four more years the way he had been doing. For now, Phoenix was his life—his wife, his child and his purpose. In four more years he would have everything in place, whereby he could work more normal hours and have the time and the energy to devote to finding the right woman, building a family and making
them
his life and his purpose.

In the meantime, he dated some, of course, but he didn't see the point in getting involved with anyone who really interested him. It didn't fit the plan yet. It was better not to start something he couldn't finish. Holly interested him way too much. He had to let it go before it started.  

He pushed open the door to the restaurant and went inside. He stood to drip on the welcome mat for a few moments while his eyes adjusted to the dark interior.

“Mr. Pete!” The owner of the restaurant came out from behind the bar to greet him.

“Alonso!” Pete shook the hand the Spaniard offered him.

“Been too long, Mr. Pete. No Emma this time?”

“Not this time.”

Pete and Emma had discovered this place years ago. They'd grown up together in Summer Lake and were still close friends. Until recently, when Emma had moved back to the lake, they had often shared the drive up from LA. The first time they'd stopped here had been a night like tonight. Rained off the road, they'd found the B&B and eaten here. Over the past few years, they'd made a point to stop in every so often and visit with Alonso and his family.

“Emma's staying up at the lake this summer. But I do have a friend with me. I came to see if you'd have a table for us later?”

“Of course, my friend. Tonight you can have your pick of many tables. The rain makes the people stay at home.”

Pete looked around. The place was almost deserted. “Well, at least I can bring you a little business.”

“It is always good to see you. I think of you as my family not as my business. You have sent me so many people, so much business. I am appreciate so very, very, much. You spread my name and now I have diners come here from LA thanks to you.”

Pete had done his best to spread word of Alonso's restaurant. He liked the little Spaniard and respected his hard work and wonderful cuisine. Pete liked to do whatever he could to support those who were striving for excellence.

“I'm glad to help,” he smiled. “But, please let me buy dinner? I feel better about recommending what I paid for.”

Alonso nodded. “Okay, Mr. Pete, but you will have a drink with me, as my friend, no?”

“I'd love to.” Pete sat on a stool as Alonso went back behind the bar.

“A Chivas, with me, my friend?”

Pete grinned. “Perfect. Thank you.”

Even as he sipped the whiskey and chatted with Alonso, Pete couldn't keep his mind from wandering back to Holly. To what he'd be doing right now if he were in that shower with her. He smiled and nodded as Alonso chatted about his family and the restaurant, but he couldn't shake the images of Holly soaping herself.

His phone buzzed in his pocket as if the straining in his pants had set off an alarm. A text from Holly.

I'm ready

He drummed his fingers on the bar, lips quirking upwards. Wishing that her being ready involved her being
un
dressed instead of dressed.

“I have to go,” he told Alonso. “I'll be back in a little while with my friend.”

“Okay, Mr. Pete, I'll be waiting. We will make you a beautiful dinner.”

“I have no doubt. Thanks again for the Chivas.”

Pete knocked on the bedroom door and waited. When Holly opened it he felt the air rush out of his lungs and the heat surge through his veins. She wore a floor length simple summer dress. Nothing fancy, but boy did it show off her figure. It clung to her slender body, seeming to highlight the breasts he couldn't get out of his mind. As she turned away to let him in, he noticed it did the same for her pert little backside too.  He was grateful she had her back turned while she collected her purse from the nightstand. He hurriedly adjusted his jeans to hide the effect she was having on him.

“I thought I'd return the favor and get out of your way for a while.”

She smiled as she turned to face him. Pete simply nodded. He didn't trust himself to say anything. The only words he could imagine speaking were,
Take the dress off!
His mind was screaming them. Either she had to get out of the room or get out of the dress. One or the other had to happen in the next few seconds.

“I'll see you down there then.”

Pete allowed himself to breathe again as she closed the door behind her.

Oh, boy. He was going to have to sleep in the truck. No two ways about it. There was no way in hell he'd be able to sleep next to that woman and not sleep
with
her.

Chapter Two

Holly ran across the parking lot and stepped inside the restaurant. She immediately felt at home. The neighborhood where she'd grown up had a large Spanish community, and she still loved to visit the bodegas and tapas bars around her parents' home.

“Good evening, Miss.” A handsome man in his late thirties, maybe, came around the bar to greet her. “A table for one?”

“No, thank you. I'd like to sit at the bar for now. A friend will be joining me to eat.”

“Ah, you are the friend of Mr. Pete?”

Holly smiled, “Yes, that would be me.”

The man offered his hand with a big smile. “Bienvenido, any friend of Mr. Pete is a friend and family here. I am Alonso, welcome.”

“Encantada. Thank you, Alonso. I'm Holly.”

“Encantado to meet you too, Holly. Please, what can I get you?”

Holly settled herself at the bar. “What's your favorite wine from home?”

Alonso grinned, “You like the Spanish wines? I have a wonderful Rioja. You want to try?”

“Yes, please.”

Alonso disappeared into the back. Holly could hear a conversation in Spanish, then he returned with a beautiful dark haired woman, about Holly's age, a bottle and three glasses.

“Holly, I'd like you to meet my wife, Elena.”

Elena smiled and came around the bar to kiss Holly on both cheeks. Accustomed to this greeting, Holly smiled. “Encantada, Señora Elena.”

“Dios mio! You speak Spanish?”

“Un poquito, only a little.”

Alonso beamed and poured the Rioja. Holly tasted it and smiled. “This is wonderful!”

“I am happy you like it. It is my brother's wine. Here in California it seems people only want the local wines. I understand, but I am sad that they miss out on other flavors.”

“They're seriously missing out big time if they don't try this,” said Holly. “Do you ever offer tastings or use it as a special house wine?”

Alonso and Elena exchanged a look. “No,” said Alonso, “I never thought to try that.”

“Oh, you must. The easy way would be simply to offer the Rioja as a special house red and have your staff tell its story whenever someone orders it. Or, if you wanted to invest some time and energy, you could offer a tasting evening or even a pairing menu. Promote your brother's wines and your own menu at the same time. I'll bet you could organize trips up here, a coach from the city for an evening, or even work with the B&B to make it a weekend thing.” Holly stopped herself, realizing that Alonso and his wife were staring at her.

“Sorry. I tend to see marketing ideas and get carried away with them,” she smiled.

“These are brilliant ideas,” smiled Alonso.

“They are,” added Elena. “Please, will you teach me more on these things?”

“I'd love to. I don't know that I'm good enough to teach, but I'll gladly share my ideas with you.”

Elena looked around the restaurant. It was practically empty. “Alonso, would you check on the children, please?”

Alonso disappeared into the back and Elena ushered Holly over to a table, collecting a notepad and pen on the way. Holly was excited to share her ideas and Elena seemed eager for any suggestions she could get.

As Holly was telling Elena about one of the restaurants she knew that offered a 'Tapas and Tastings' happy hour, three small children came out from behind the bar. They solemnly lined up beside the table. All three were made up of dark hair, olive skin and great big smiles. They stood quietly, smiling at her, but Holly could sense pent up laughter and energy just waiting to be unleashed.

“Holly, these are our children, Alonso Jr., Carlos, and Isabel. Niños, this is Señorita Holly.”

“Hola, Señorita Holly,” chorused the children who, Holly guessed, ranged from six to ten years old, the little girl being the youngest.

“Hola,” she replied and smiled at them.

The little girl stepped forward to kiss Holly's cheeks. When Holly bent down to her, she wrapped her arms around Holly's neck and climbed into her lap.  

Elena smiled. “Isabel tells us who we can trust. Mostly she hides from strangers, but when she finds a true and gentle soul she loves them out loud. It seems that you are such a soul, just as I thought.”

Holly was touched by the gesture of the dark haired little beauty smiling up at her. “Why, thank you, Isabel. I am honored.”

The oldest boy stepped forward. “You want to see our garden?”

Isabel slid to the floor and tugged on Holly's hand. Seeing Elena was smiling and nodding her agreement, Holly allowed herself to be led out to a covered patio where the children were growing herbs and potted plants. In no time she was laughing and chasing with the three of them. They were delightful children. They made her think again how much she wanted kids of her own. Carlos wanted to pick a flower to give to her so she would remember him. Alonso, older and wiser, was telling him that if he did, she wouldn't be able to keep it because flowers curl up and die when they are picked. Seeing how disappointed Carlos looked, she decided to show them how they could press flowers and keep them.

They trooped back inside, each carrying a flower. Holly had noticed some big heavy books on the shelves around the fireplace at the far end of the bar. She asked Elena if they could use them, then settled back at the table. Once she sat down, Isabel crawled into her lap again and the two boys stood either side of her. Alonso Jr. placed an arm around her shoulder as he leaned in to watch her placing the first flower carefully between the pages of the book. Not to be outdone, Carlos moved closer and put his hand on her other shoulder. Holly smiled, thrilled to be in the company of these affectionate little people.

                                                            **********

Pete stopped and caught his breath as he stepped inside the restaurant. He'd been imagining that perfect body, sitting on a bar stool waiting for him. Having visions of how she really looked and felt underneath that dress. Now, instead, he saw her sitting at a table, surrounded by three of his favorite children. Her fairer head was encircled by three dark ones, little smiles and hands clamoring for her attention.

He stood transfixed, watching her with the kids, laughing and doing something with an old book. Instead of dousing his attraction for her, as he might have expected, the sight of her laughing and obviously being so good with them only intensified his desire for her. He clenched his fist. He'd have to knock that on the head – and quick!

Alonso greeted him from behind the bar, “Hey, Mr. Pete, didn't I tell you? More like family!” He smiled over to where Holly was sitting. “Chicos, you must leave Señorita Holly to have dinner now.”

Pete watched the children edge closer to her as Holly looked up and smiled at him.

“Hey, Pete.”

“Hey, yourself.” He cleared his throat, surprised how hoarse his voice sounded. She was scrambling his senses, those amber eyes shining at him, looking so damn happy!

“Would you mind if we finish up here first?”

“Of course not.”

Isabel slid down from Holly's lap and came over to him. She slipped her tiny hand into his and led him over to the table. Alonso Sr. shot Pete a questioning look, he smiled and nodded. Isabel was just too cute, smiling up at him and she was, after all, taking him over to Holly.

Holly smiled at him as he sat down, “We're nearly finished, sorry. We're pressing flowers.”

Pete grinned, whatever he might have guessed they were doing, he would never have thought of that.

Alonso Jr. looked a little put out to be discovered in such a girly pursuit. He liked to talk 'business' with Pete whenever he stopped by. “I am only watching,” he stated.

Pete grinned at him. “Then you, sir, are a very smart young man. As a man, you need to watch and listen when a lady shows you how to do the things she likes. If you learn about those little things, then maybe someday you will be able to please her, by doing them for her.”

Alonso Jr. smiled back, “Do you know how to please Señorita Holly?”

Pete's lips quirked at the possible interpretations of that question. He held Holly's eyes with his own and was pleased to see them widen as he replied, “Not yet, Alonso, but I'd like to learn.”

Elena appeared at his elbow, “So good to see you, Mr. Pete!”

“And you, Elena. How are you?”

“I am well, thank you. If you will excuse me, I must get the children to bed now. Vamonos, hijos. Let's go.”

Pete watched as they gathered around Holly, reaching for hugs and kisses.

“Good night, Señorita Holly,” said Isabel.

“We will keep the flowers safe until you come back,” said Alonso Jr.

“Please come back soon,” said Carlos as he hugged her waist.