Page 8 of Kiss for My Kraken
“Well, he’s interested in you, and the more you let him get away with, the more he’s gonna think he can do what he wants.” Bushy eyebrows drew together as he shook his head. “You ain’t cut outfor this, little girl. I can protect you out here. I’ve been watching out for you, but I ain’t always gonna be around.”
“I need the job,” she whispered.
“You need it enough to sleep with Ronnie to keep it?” he asked bluntly. The color drained from her face and he sighed, putting a big hand briefly on her shoulder, a hand that felt comforting rather than predatory. “You’re gonna have to make a choice.”
Unfortunately, Teddy had been right. Two nights later, Ronnie cornered her in the supply closet. He only got as far as forcing a slobbery kiss on her before Teddy showed up.
“Need you out front, boss.”
Ronnie scowled, looking from Teddy to her, then shrugged. “Fine, I’ll see you later, babe.”
As soon as he left, Teddy pulled out an envelope and closed her shaking fingers around it. “These are your wages for the week. But unless you’ve changed your mind about sleeping with that asshole, you need to leave. Now.”
She’d realized he was right. She slipped quietly into the night and sat shaking in her car, hugging Ozzie, before going back to the room she was renting, collecting her things, and getting back on the road. That was the last time she’d worked in a bar.
“But this is also a restaurant,” she reminded herself. And while Ben was undeniably grumpy, he didn’t come across as a predator.Maybe it’s because he’s a rabbit Other.
The sound of raised voices came from the kitchen, and she hurried down the corridor to find the two males glaring at each other. Grondar was definitely bigger than Ben, but Ben wasscowling back just as fiercely. He might not be a predator, but he certainly didn’t seem like prey either.
“I told you I couldn’t add cornbread to your order this week,” Grondar snapped.
“Well, what am I supposed to do now?”
The big orc shrugged. “Not my problem.”
“I can make cornbread,” she said softly, and both of them turned to look at her. She forced herself not to shrink back from the two huge males.
“There you go,” Grondar said, already heading for the door. “Problem solved.” He paused next to her for a moment. “My mate will probably come by to see you. Don’t let her talk you into a girl’s night.”
Before she could ask why, he disappeared through the swinging door. She turned back to find Ben scowling at her.
“You’re early.” He didn’t seem impressed by the fact, but before she could respond, he glared at Ozzie. “No dogs in the kitchen.”
“I know,” she said quickly. “I was going to fix him a place outside.”
“He house trained?”
Ozzie gave an indignant little woof as she nodded, and Ben’s scowl faded for a moment. “He can stay in the office. Just keep him out of the kitchen.”
“I will. Thank you.”
He ignored her thanks. “Can you really make cornbread?”
“Yes. I made it all the time at a place I used to work.”
“All right. I’ll give it a try,” he said begrudgingly. “Get the mutt settled. Put the clothes in the washer. Then get back here.”
She obeyed quickly, grateful that she wouldn’t have to leave Ozzie outside. He settled down happily enough on the towel she’d brought for him, and she rushed back to the kitchen to wash her hands and put on an apron.
Before she could begin work, Ben slapped a plate down in front of her.
“Food’s included.”
The plate contained another one of the huge biscuits, this one piled high with perfectly cooked bacon. Her mouth watered, but she carefully set aside two pieces of bacon to take to Ozzie. Ben shook his head, tall ears swaying.
“Made some for the mutt. You eat that. Coffee’s in the pot.” He disappeared down the corridor with Ozzie’s bacon before she could say anything, and she gave the door through which he disappeared a bemused look. The day was already off to a much better start than she’d anticipated. The coffee was as good as the food, and she was just finishing both when he returned.
“That was delicious,” she told him sincerely.
