After last week, the Devils will be looking for any way possible to hurt us. Knowing Camila works for me is enough of a reason to make her a target, so for the foreseeable future she’ll be working every night I can give her.
With that out of my way, I’m forced to deal with Lo. Fired up from Camila, I walk to the office door she left open and call Lo’s name. Camila is already telling her I’m in a mood, I’m sure. Good. The warning will keep Lo on her toes, which is even better for me.
When Lo steps into my office, and I move out of the doorway just enough for her to enter. She’s wearing one of my restaurant t-shirts tightly over her ample tits and a pair of jean shorts that cut just under the curve of her ass. She always smells of strawberries and today is no different. As soon as I catch a whiff, my dick pulses.
I should have poured that drink before I called her into my office. I need a release after last night's Church meeting, but I’m in no mood to be gentle. Lo takes the chair opposite my desk. She slides a stack of paperwork over so that she has room to sit.
I’m a bit behind on filing. As the tactical team lead with the club, my nights have been spent making plans with Bear, the prez, and Gunner, the sergeant at arms. For the last few weeks, I’ve also been on guard duty from the threat of an attack.
“You wanted to ask me a question,” I say when Lo doesn’t talk.
I don’t like the expression on her face. She’s afraid of something. Maybe me? I slouch down in my chair, hoping to come off as less pissed than I am.
“If now’s a bad time, I can wait,” she says.
Lo is not a timid person. Her straightforwardness is one of the reasons I had no issues with hiring her, even though I didn’t have an opening. She takes no shit but comes off as sweet and caring to my customers.
But right now, I really need her to be straight with me. I need her to tell me what the hell is going on, so I can get her out of my office and out of my head.
“Lo. What is it? You texted me at midnight. That doesn't sound like something that can wait.”
I have her full attention now.
She squirms in her chair. Something is definitely up with Lo. She’s never timid or shy. She says what she’s thinking with no filter, even if it sometimes gets her in hot water with the customers.
“I,” she starts, then shoves her hands under each thigh to sit on them. “I know Camila asked for next Friday off and I need the hours. I was hoping you’d let me cover her shift after I finish mine.”
I run my hand over my short beard and study Lo carefully. “You texted me at midnight to ask me about covering Camila’s shift?” I’m not buying the excuse. Besides the fact she is already working the lunch crowd next Friday, it’s her only night off the entire week.
“It was on my mind and I didn’t want to forget to ask. I texted before I looked at the time.”
I’m still not buying her story, but I get no thrill out of watching Lo sidestep my questions, so I give in and let her off the hook.
“No,” I answer.
“Why?” Lo perks up. Her cheeks are turning pink and her breathing is more labored. This is the Lotus I know best. The one that fights for what she wants.
“Because I told Camila no, and that’s my final answer. You’re already working doubles most of the week. I can’t have my best waitress burn out on me during football season.”
“I won’t burn out, Hawk.” She has her hands free now and is using them to express herself. “The only thing I have is work and sleep.”
When I don’t change my mind, she tries again.
“I promise I will tell you if it gets to be too much.”
“I don’t think you will,” I shoot back.
She’s still eyeing me hard and her skin is turning redder by the second.
I don’t care for employees who question my authority. But when Lo does it—fuck, it turns me on. That’s why I have to be harsher with her than the other girls. I can deal with being annoyed, but I can’t deal with walking around all day aching to know what taking Lotus would feel like.
“Maybe it’s time you found a social life in town.”
Lo slides to the edge of her chair. “I need money more than I need to be entertained by losers.”
Her cheeks are hard and round like she’s gritting her teeth to hold back on me. She wants to cuss me out, but that’s not how Lo rolls. She’s sweet and even tempered, even if it kills her.
I can’t argue with the loser statement either. Most of the single guys around town are pricks, and I have a hard and fast rule when it comes to my brothers dating my staff. Lo and the rest are off limits with the exception of India, who is practically married to Scout.
“The answer is still no.” It’s damn impossible to watch her steam across from me. I want her to blow her lid. She can scream at me at the top of her lungs. Tell me how unfair I am and call me an asshole. Anything, but give me those determined eyes and that soft little pout that make me want to lean across my desk and kiss her lips until they turn red and swollen from the assault.
But Lo disappoints me. Instead of doing any of those things, she sighs and then stands, thanks me for my time, and walks out my office door as her ass sways with each step.
I’m so fucking hard that I can’t stand up from my desk to see her out. Besides, I know where she’s off to next without watching. She’ll find Camila and they’ll both talk about how unfair I’m being. They’ll hate me for a few days, as women do. And Lo will keep her distance, making my life that much easier.
Right now, my focus has to be on the brotherhood and sorting out the shitshow that happened last week. Lo on my brain will only cloud my judgement.
Chapter 2
Lotus
“Well?”
Camila bumps into my side at the bar and drops her empty tray next to mine. I’ve been avoiding her for the last half hour. Really, I’ve been avoiding everyone.
“Well, what?” Jonus asks as he fills me up with full beer mugs from the tap. “What’s the big secret?”
“There isn’t one,” I bark back.
I love Jonus and Camila to pieces, but they are both horrible gossipers. Not knowing how I feel about what just happened between me and Hawk, I really don’t want them talking about it to everyone.
“Come on, Lo. You went in his office after me and you came out all quiet. He’s in a pissy mood. Why’d you do it?”
I turn to Camila. She’s smacking her gum and staring at me through eyeshadow so dark it makes her look like she’s got two black eyes.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“Ohhhh,” Jonus chimes in. He’s done filling my tray, but Camila has me blocked in. I don’t like feeling confined. It makes me anxious and I tend to say and do things I regret later. “Are you two doing things in there you shouldn’t be?”
I cut a look at Jonus that could slice his balls off, if he had any.
“No.” My answer should be plain enough, but it’s not for these two.
I try to push past Camila, but she doesn't budge.
“I have drink orders to get out.”
“And we have secrets to uncover,” Camila says.