Page 8 of Wild Rush Of Love
Reena had decided to stay clear of wine tonight. She hadn’t had any since her first night and with the pain meds she’d been popping like candy all day she figured it would be best not to partake again yet.
“Hey! Reena.”
Glancing over at the bar she found her gaze caught by a bright blue one. The smile overtook her face as she whispered, “Rush.”
“Kennedy get your drink order?” he asked as he came out from behind the long wood-topped bar and moved toward her.
“Yes. Yes, she did. I ordered a mug of the house hot cocoa.”
“Good choice.” He pulled out the chair next to her and sat. “So, kind of strange that we spent a couple of hours together yesterday and neither of us mentioned this place.”
“Yeah.” She shrugged. “It didn’t really come up.”
“No. Well, I work here. Manage the bar. Live here too. In the staff quarters.”
She smiled. “And I’m staying here for two weeks.”
He nodded at the menu in front of her. “Planning on dinner?”
“Yes. Seeing how you work here, what would you recommend?” She closed the menu and folded her hands on top of it.
“That depends what you’re in the mood for.” He leaned closer. “Want some company? I just finished my shift and was going to grab something in town but I’d rather sit here with you if that’s an option.”
“Yes. Of course. Definitely.” She handed him the menu. “And that means you’re in charge of ordering dinner.”
She’d enjoyed the time she’d spent with Rush yesterday. They’d hung out at the lookout for about an hour. He’d pointed out landmarks, buildings they could see down in Winter Lake and where other lookouts were around the lake as well as a general overview of the town and surrounding area before they had walked back down to the parking lot.
And she had to admit she’d been a little sad when they’d said goodbye, gotten into their own vehicles and gone their separate ways.
Now he was here.
“Good. I’ll go put our order in and grab a drink. Back in a sec.” He tucked the menu under his arm and pushed to his feet. Waving at the waitress who’d seated Reena, he called out, “Don’t worry, Kennedy. I’ve got this.”
Kennedy looked between them with a questioning glance but didn’t say anything. She placed a thick white mug filled to the brim with the creamy brown liquid Reena knew was smooth as silk on the table and said, “I’ll leave you in Rush’s capable hands.”
She was gone before Reena could say thank you. Looking around, she saw the couple from the corner was gone and one of the men at the bar had also left. The fire crackled merrily a few feet away, the warmth surrounding her along with the scent of wood.
She’d loved the main room, and her own room, but she thought this room might actually be her favorite. There was an intimacy here that was missing in the big room, and while her room with its king size bed and huge tub was intimate due to the fact it was a bedroom and private, this room, the long bar, the stools, the tables and chairs…there was something sexy about it.
Her gaze found Rush as he came through a side door.
Then again maybe it felt sexy because of the man walking toward her with that lopsided smile and sparkling blue eyes.
He walked with a swagger but it didn’t appear forced. It was a natural roll of his hips resulting from those thick-muscled legs eating up the ground between them.
He placed a mug of beer on the table and retook his seat. “So. Tell me all there is to know about Reena.”
“What do you want to know?” She took a sip of her drink. “Oh, god. This is the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Rush grinned. “It’s the special ingredient.”
“So I’m told.” She took another sip then put her mug down. “Okay, about Reena. I’m twenty-five, live in Baltimore, work in a family owned Irish pub with an attached restaurant. That’s pretty much it.”
“Siblings?”
“No. Only child.”
“Ditto. And I’ve got ten years on you. I’ve been here, at the Lodge, for fifteen years, the last ten as Bar and Grill’s manager.”
