Page 81 of Crushing Clover

“If you come from this, neither of us will tell on you,” Rush whispered against my hair. “You deserve another one.”

Shamelessly, I tilted my hips to get Lucky’s tongue exactly where I wanted it.

No one had ever said I was stupid.

Chapter 18

“Why do we have to be here so early today?” It was hard not to complain, even though Lucky had surprised me with a new book. I always found something to do to amuse myself in the office, but lounging around while they worked still felt wrong.

“We’re short-staffed, so we have to pick up the slack. Randal’s by himself today. He can’t do all the prep work alone.”

“Why are you short-staffed?”

“Because people take vacations and sick time.” Lucky tousled my hair as though I really was their pet. The metal collar, which Saint felt was more subtle for wearing to the restaurant, was currently locked around my neck. It wasn’t helping to dispel the pet feeling.

“Is the girl complaining about having to amuse herself while we earn the money that keeps her alive?” Saint sneered. “Tell me you’re a princess without telling me you’re a princess.”

“At least he lets you up on the furniture in his office.” Rush winked at me, and I gave him a quelling glare.

“Maybe I should reconsider that,” the man in question said, right on cue.

“Maybe you should stop giving him ideas, Rush,” Lucky said. Before anyone could say anything even more detrimental to my health and well-being, we were suddenly in the kitchen.

They’d forgotten to drop me off in the office.

I stared around in wonder, feeling like I’d snuck into Area 51. They’d never let me see the kitchen before. Their workspace was as sanitary and orderly as their patrons could possibly hope for.

“I told you Randal would be here already.” Rush slapped Saint on the shoulder and held out a hand.

“Fuck. I’ll have to Venmo you.”

“You’d better, because I’m not going to forget.”

The two of them started to harass each other, laughing. It was weird seeing the two of them joking around. Saint was usually so grouchy.

The man in the kitchen glanced up from where he was chopping onions. “Hey.”

He was around the same age as the guys, and had a very similar look, other than the dimples and pink hair. His gaze slid down me, then right back up. The guy was handsome and his blue eyes seemed very familiar.

“So, this is who you’ve been hiding in the office.”

“What the fuck, Lucky? Why didn’t you drop off bootlicker?” Saint grumbled.

“She’s never even seen the restaurant,” Lucky pointed out. “We’re here so early that I figured I’d give her a tour.”

“Ran, this is Kate,” Rush said.

“Pleased to meet you, Kate.”

“Nice to meet you, Randal.” I could feel Saint frowning at me, so I shut up.

“Found yourselves a girly-girl edition of Arabella, huh?” Ran asked Rush. “Interesting.”

“How about you mind your own fucking business,Randal,” Saint growled.

I expected Ran to be offended, or at least affronted, but he only snickered and continued chopping onions. “Aye-aye, captain.”

“And stop fucking calling me that.”