Page 22 of Needing More
Garrett pulled out a huge roll of bills from his pocket and snapped off the rubber band. Pulling out forty dollars, he handed her the bills. "Make them extra special. I'm trying to put my best foot forward."
They all heard a loud metal screech on the side of the building.
Putting on his hat, Garrett stepped back and gave her another handsome smile. "And that's my cue."
Both she and Vic watched as Garrett turned right on the sidewalk in front of the café, walking past the long front windows until disappearing. Three seconds later Joel appeared on the left side of the windows wearing nothing but jeans and tennis shoes, his bare tattooed chest exposed for the world to see. They could hear his muffled shout as he glared down the street presumably at Garrett before running in that direction.
Just then the door to the upstairs burst open and her and Vic looked to see Hayden step out, also shirtless. Sapphire could tell he had just woken up by the deep-set frown on his face and his long brown hair hanging wildly around his face. His grey eyes felt like thunder as they flashed around the room looking for Garrett. Finally, they settled and narrowed in on them.
"Where is he?"
Still leaning backward on the counter, Vic yawned. "He's gone. Bought forty dollars’ worth of cookies to impress some girl and left with Joel chasing after him on foot," he announced. "But the most important fact here is how I saved poor Sapphire here from Garrett's clutches. Came in to find her pinned to the wall and everything."
Sapphire shot the back of Vic's head a piercing look.
A muscle in Hayden's jaw twitched in anger and Sapphire could have kicked Vic.
With no one to take his anger out on, Hayden looked past Vic and settled on her. Something a little chaotic lit his eyes and he stepped purposely toward her. "Come here,"
Sapphire tensed. She knew that look. Shaking her head, she stepped back and bumped into the counter behind her. "Hayden no, it’s still business hours."
"We'll put up the sign," he said simply, coming steadily closer.
"Vic is here," she tried feebly.
Hayden practically growled. "He can leave."
"Rude," Vic mumbled as he turned and watched Hayden advance on her.
Knowing he wasn't going to stop; Sapphire eyed the counter and made her decision. Planting her hands, she hoisted herself up until her ass was on the counter and she was swinging her legs up and over. Landing on the other side she ignored Vic's stunned expression and ran behind him grabbing onto his surprisingly lean waist. For just a second, Sapphire's mind paused as her fingers took in the detail of his firm torso. Powerful sinewy flesh warmed her hands through his shirt as she pulled him close to her as her human shield.
Looking around her new shield, Sapphire swallowed back a yelp as Hayden's eyes grew brighter with anger. Coming around the counter, he came straight for them.
Sapphire expected Vic to sidestep at any moment, removing himself from the line of fire, but the black-haired Heathen stood his ground. Taking it a step further, Vic grabbed her hands at his waist in his, and wrapped them tighter around him, partially covering her arms with his and forcing her chest to meet his back. The scent of him engulfed her and Sapphire couldn’t help but inhale deeply. The manly woodsy scent of his cologne combined with the slight smell of sweat. It was a surprisingly wonderful combination.
"Wait Hayden," she said finally, pulling her senses away from Vic and back to the danger lurking in front of them both. She had to think fast. "I was going to tell you that I wanted to invite Vic over for an early dinner."
"Let go of her," Hayden looked to Vic then her, leaning slightly to the side to catch her eye. "And you know the bar is open tonight."
"Yes, but there are no incoming shipments today," she countered. "So that means you can go in a little later and we can have an early dinner."
Keeping his arms over hers around his waist Vic turned his head and looked down at her with one eye. "As much as I would love to, I got to take care of my-"
"Yes, but if you go and give your dad his lunch now and come back then you can have an early dinner with the guys and bring your dad back some leftovers and you can all three go open the bar."
"That means you’ll have to close the café earlier than normal," Hayden grumbled, still spearing Vic with a look of death. "And let the fuck go, both of you," he snapped.
Sapphire immediately loosened her grip at the command. Vic, however, did not move, but he kept her hands locked in his.
Like magnets repelling one another, the tension in the air immediately filled the space. With a tug, Sapphire pulled her arms from around Vic and stepped out from behind him. Looking between the men, she stepped toward Hayden and slipped an arm around his waist and leaned her head onto his shoulder.
"Stop fighting, both of you. It's making my head hurt." She closed her eyes at the dull pain beginning to throb in the back of her head. The headaches were the only lasting effect from the incident at the gas station. The wound on her arm was healing nicely; she just wished her head would get on board.
Opening her eyes, she saw the flash of concern in Vic's eyes as he looked down at her.
"And to answer your question," she turned to Hayden and nuzzled his hot skin. Lord, he smelled good too. The warm amber scent of whatever he was using made her want to just lie down and pull him on top of her like a blanket. "I know all the customers who come at that time so I’ll just call them to pick up their orders early and probably just run down the street to deliver Mr. and Mrs. Khosa their daily chai teas and muffins."
"Mmm," Hayden made a noise under his breath that she couldn’t be sure was in agreement or not.
