Page 29 of Mixed Connection
“Hey Babygirl, where do you need me?” He waves his hand at the surprised expression that I know is on my face before pulling the deep-green towel off my shoulder. “You’ve got it written all over your face. Let me help you.”
“Really? I couldn’t ask you to do that. You came here to hang out, I didn’t realize it would be a night like tonight.” I sweep my hand out showcasing the blissful chaos of the night. His gaze meets mine, giving me a slight once-over as if to say,girl please.
“I came here to be with you and that’s exactly what I plan on doing, in any capacity you need me. Besides, you didn’t ask, I offered. So let me.” He rubs his lips together before shaking his head, and breathing out a laugh.
I stare at the man in front of me for just a moment before nodding my head and pulling him around the bar, a spark lighting up through my fingertips from our contact.
“Tell me if I need to slow down!” He nods his head in understanding. Pulling the sweatshirt up and over his head, he stores it away behind the counter and my eyes track the movement of him rolling the sleeve of his long-sleeved shirt up. Watching the muscles strain as he turns his arm just right. Why is that so fucking hot? Taking a deep inhale I give him a run-through on the register, instructing him on the ins and outs.
The night moves along as I mix drinks and tend to the tables that we set up in the dimmer areas of our bar. The only problem is, I keep catching myself stealing glances at Jameson when I should be focused on matchmaking customers to books. Though he got the barest of bones of training, that doesn’t seem to dissuade customers, he’s great with them, making them laugh with his jokes to ease the longer wait time. I’m not completelysure if it’s because he is a people person or if they just like the eye candy. One customer in particular is a bit more bold as she leans over the counter, closing the distance between them, batting her lashes.
Heat rushes up my neck causing me to loosen my shoulders from the tension of—dare I say, jealousy? Before I can take a moment to clear my head of that thought, that same customer runs her fingers lazily against his on the counter; he pulls his hand away quickly, but I’m already making my way over from the other side of the bar.
Running my hand up the side of his back, I twist myself just slightly so I’m but a breath away from being pressed against him.
There’s no moment of apprehension, no wonder of what’s going on or pause. He simply wraps his arm around my waist, closing the distance between the two of us and lowering his chin slightly to look me directly in my eyes and my breath hitches.
Recognizing her dismissal, she thanks him and walks away. I would look to see if she left but I can’t manage to tear my gaze away from Jameson. Especially not when he dips his mouth close to my ear. “You plan on explaining to me why I keep getting referred to as ‘Book Boyfriend?’” Jameson’s warm whisper of a question lingers between us as I fight the tremble coursing through my body from the feel of his heated words so close to the underside of my ear, so near my neck.
Instead of waiting for my reply, he continues on without missing a single beat, “Maybe after we finish up, we can grab a quick bite to eat and I can share my thoughts on the book you recommended to me.”
“You read it?” My core clenches at the thought of what he’s read. I didn’t think he would actually read it. Maybe he’d hold on to it or possibly lose it—I inwardly cringe at the thought of one of my books being lost. I also considered that he’d give it back to me and pretend he read it. My cheeks blaze at knowing what’swithin its pages having read it myself—a few times if I’m going to be honest.
“Yes. No...” He pauses, tossing the green towel over his shoulder. “I bought the audiobook before I jumped in the shower. The narrators are veryexpressive.” His gaze darkens slightly as he finishes.
“Audiobooks totally count as reading,” I find myself saying as warmth spreads over my chest and down my belly. The smile on his face doesn’t hide the desire behind his eyes and I can only imagine the part he ended on. He squeezes my waist a bit before releasing me.
Taking another towel tucked beneath the bar, I wipe the counter down after the last drink I made and look out into the bar. Customers are starting to slow and the ones who are settled have their heads tucked into a book or are sipping away on their drink. My contentment is suddenly interrupted when Paloma rushes through the front door.
“I’m so sorry!” Lo says, eyeing Jameson behind the counter. She wraps her arms around me as she exclaims, “Promise I will make it up to you and will explain everything.”
“I was worried sick. What’s going on?” Side by side we make our way to an empty booth.
“I know, and I swear I will tell you what’s going on… just not right now.” If it wasn’t for the look of pure exhaustion on her face, I would be pressing her for more information.
“Shaken is about to close. Why don’t you take the rest of the night off and go do something with the finest barkeep in Cypress Lake,” she adds.
I take that moment to look around the bar. The night has dwindled to the last few lingering customers and our part-time worker came in about an hour ago.
Can I talk myself out of her offer and work for the rest of the night? Yeah, I totally could. But this is anotheryesthat I’m goingto give myself. Paloma knows if she absolutely needs me, I’ll drop everything to be here. I’m literally a knock away and in her case, she has the keys.
“Okay, but you’ll let me know if you need me?” She purses her lips. “Cool, but also, if you don’t need me that would be fucking incredible and don’t forget we’ve got to go pick out ourgirltomorrow!”
Pulling myself from the booth I give her a quick side hug, I really am so relieved she’s okay. But I have a man who I would really like to scale like the mountain he is.
Toeing off my sneakers at the door, I take a step to the side to allow Jameson entry into my sanctuary. It may seem silly, but this is far more than just my home, this is the place where I can turn off the world and just be.
The walls in my living room are painted a green so deep that on most days it looks like a velvet black. Overlapping commissioned works by B, along with pieces by other artists, hang on the walls with gallery lights above them. A do-it-yourself installation I saw on Pinterest one day that turned out amazing.
Plants can be seen throughout the entire space—hanging, or occupying multiple surfaces—but what really livens up the room is the window seat. It’s my favorite space at night. A small stack of books is set on the side where plush pillows don’t overtake the area.
This home is my getaway, only my gran and the girls have been up here. Why invite someone into my peace if all they will do is bring havoc?
Reaching past Jameson, I brush against him as I flick the light switch that turns on the two small lamps placed on either side of the television. I watch his eyes take in my space and I wish I could say that I’m not nervous, but I am. Everything here is an extension of me, and I want him to enjoy what he sees.
A soft smile lights up his face, his mouth tugging to one side a bit like he has an inside joke. “Smells just as good as you do.” He continues to take in small areas I created in different spots of the room as he lifts his foot, slowly untying his sneakers and setting them to the side. “It looks like you. It’s perfect.”
“Thank you. Would you like something to drink or something to eat? We could order in.” Walking into the open kitchen, I pull out two glasses and try to keep my distance for a moment, in an attempt to calm myself. “And thank you for helping me tonight.”
