Page 16 of Runaway Bride for the Boss

When I’m at Liquid Elixir, I always pace myself, stretching out three drinks for the duration of the night to stay alert, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a long one.

CHAPTER 10

AUTUMN

Idon’t know why both Beaufort brothers are suddenly at the bar tonight when we haven’t seen their faces since I started working. I sneak glances at their booth. Clearly, I’m not the only one who can’t keep my eyes off them. I catch several women fucking them with their eyes from around the bar. But for some reason, nobody approaches them, which is weird. With their tall stature, broad shoulders, and sleek black hair, they both exude raw masculinity, but in completely different ways: Alexander gives off a moody, no time for talking vibe, while Ezra could make a woman forget her own name with one of his devastating smiles. You’d think they’d have women falling over themselves for a chance to experience either one.

Maybe it’s because they’re the bar owner’s brothers? Andrea did have a reserved card sitting on the empty booth table the past few nights, so it’s safe to assume that the booth is permanently reserved for the Beaufort brothers. Andrea must be very protective of her brothers…that must be it.

Of the two brothers, I always find myself drawn to Alexander in an inexplicable way. He’s my polar opposite, and yet I’ve found myself entranced by his dark demeanor and studying every inch of his unique face from afar. His stark featurescontrast beautifully to create one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen, from his full lips to his hooded eyes and heavy brow. I’ve even noticed a small groove in between his brows—permanent frown lines—so what happened to that smiling boy from the pictures?

All of a sudden, Ezra gets up from the booth and comes up to the bar…to my corner of the bar. I hesitate, wondering if he or his brother noticed me checking them out.

“Hey, Autumn. How’s it going?” he asks with a friendly smile that doesn’t fool me at all. He’s more open and charming than Alex, sure, but there’s an emptiness in his gaze that sends chills down my spine, and not in a good way.

Alex hides behind his scowl and Ezra behind his charm.

“It’s fine. Busier than usual.”

He nods in response. “How’s your dirty martini? I’d kill for one right now.”

I hesitate, taken aback by his intensity. Andrea explained how to make one, once. If it was anyone else, I’d gently nudge them toward another drink – like, say, a highball that I know I can’t screw up – but this is Andrea’s brother, and I don’t think it’s up for discussion. I turn around, bending down slightly to grab the bottles of vermouth and gin on one of the lower shelves –Andrea keeps the good stuff down there – and when I turn back to the bar, I see a look pass between Alex and Ezra.

“I only know how to make one in theory, you’re my first. So, please let me know if it’s not up to your standards,” I say a little nervously.

“Don’t sweat it, sweetheart, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.” He smiles at me, a little dimple winking out from his left cheek. I pause. His eyes are different from Andrea and Alex’s, being a light, almost translucent blue. Some might even say icy, but they warm up when his smile is genuine. Until this moment, I didn’t realize that he even had a fake smile.

I return his smile, finally relaxing as I mix his drink. “Here you go. One dirty martini for you, sir.”

He accepts the glass and makes a show of drinking it. I hold my breath as I watch him. “I’ve had several dirty martinis in this very bar, miss. None come close to this one.”

I laugh at the bald-faced lie. “Come on, don’t be like that. I actually want to know the mistakes I made, so I know how to perfect it next time.”

He hesitates like he’s not sure if I’m being honest. “Seriously. I’m not even allowed to make cocktails yet. Being able to get a simple dirty martini right will give me some much needed confidence.”

“Alright, alright. If you truly want to make me happy, make the next one extra dirty. I went easy on you, since it was your first time and all, but don’t be shy with the olives.” He offers with a devilish grin that I’m positive would have most women on their knees. I soon leave him to attend to another customer. I head back, a new drink in hand, and offer up my next attempt served alongside my sweetest smile.

“Now, this is nearly perfect.” He smiles after taking a sip of the fresh drink. “All you need is a few more practices under your belt, and Andrea will have to watch out.”

I return his genuine smile, noting how it reaches his eyes. “Thank you.”

“I have a wet bar in my apartment. If you ever want me to show you the ropes, you can come over to my place on your next day off. I’m quite the mixologist, and you should see me handle a shaker cup, it’s inspiring.” He winks at me, and I laugh.

I don’t doubt it. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll keep it in mind.”

He shrugs, taking the clear rejection good-naturedly, like only a man with his confidence could. A guy who knows he can get any number of single women to jump at his offer. “It was worth a try.”

Ezra spends the rest of the night at the bar with me; it makes the busy night that much more fun. He’s so funny and charming, the exact opposite of his brother. I toss a glance at Alex’s booth, and my heart seizes when his eyes snag mine.

He’s scowling, his eyes blazing angrily as he watches me, and I pause. My heart starts racing, and I reluctantly pull my gaze from his. Shit. Why couldn't my heart respond like that for easygoing, swoon worthy Ezra? Why him?

“You sure know how to pick ‘em, Autumn,” I whisper under my breath. Alex is as intense as they come, and that’s the last thing I need to be attracted to right now.

“What was that?” Ezra asks, and I glance at him in surprise. He watches me shrewdly. I quickly re-assess my initial thought about him being harmless. He might be more open and charming than his brother, but that doesn’t make him any less astute. Or dangerous.

“Nothing. Just talking to myself.”

“Happens to the best of us,” he says easily, but the assessing look doesn’t leave his eyes.

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