Page 41 of Painting Her Fate

“That’s it, folks! This is last call!” Trent yells over the rock music. It’s about two in the morning and most patrons left at least a half an hour ago.

Ford and I managed things fairly well in the kitchen tonight, we have everything cleaned except for mopping, and Ford is on it. Overall, it was a decent steady night, but I know this was a precursor to the start of the crazy summer season here in a few weeks. I should look into hiring now so we can train them and not have to scramble.

Checking the front of the house, I make my way to the bar area to see how their night went. There was a lot of hooting and cheers happening out here most of the time; you would’ve thought there was football game on. However, we are in April.

Trent and Lili have their stations cleaned and back in order, while one lonely college student sits there scrolling aimlessly through his phone. Making the decision that he’s had enough, he shifts away from the bar and Lili shouts a thank you to him as he leaves. She turns around and adds the five-dollar tip to the jar.

“Hey guys, how’d it go?” I glance at the overflowing tip jar, a few larger bills lining the inside.Quite the night from the looks of it.

“She- is- amazing!” Trent hurries to say, his adrenaline rush far from over, “This master tender didn’t need any of my help- Shit! I have new tricks to show off now!” His theatrics are comical as he speaks, always the hand talker this one, “this girl can throw bottles into the air- twist around- and catch them! It was, -Wow!”

His eyes go wide as he makes a gesture of explosions coming from his temples.

I’m intrigued. I don’t think I know someone that can flair bartend; it’s a skill I’ve researched but haven’t had time to dabble in.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t break anything.” She teases, slinging the bar rag by the well then placing her hands on her hips.

You would’ve thought I gave this woman the world by the way she’s glowing. She exudes this commanding promise to accomplish anything placed in her path. So positive. So damn appealing. Lili has my mind whirling with all sorts of possibilities and new adventures, things I haven’t thought of or had ambition to do in years. There is a seed of hope still inside me and Lili is the gardener, planting the seed in soil, supplying it water, bathing it in sunlight, nurturing and encouraging it to one day bloom. And it’s only day one with her.

What other enchanting details can I discover? How far does the name, mistress, go? Fuck, I need to find out.

“Hey, boss man.” Trent waves a hand to get my attention, “hellooo.” I glance up at him to see him smirking.Damn it, he caught me ogling. I give him a grunt in response. “As I was saying,” he continues, his knowing grin mocking me, “can we keep her? Please?” He begs, “all these sexy men came over, felt bad for her being banged up, and asked for a show. So, you know what Lili did?” He begins chuckling, unable to get the next part out.

“I gave them a show.” I turn to see Lili send me a fierce sassy smirk.

She’s magnificent. That brazen mouth of hers, the multitude of talent she possesses, and that sexy, curvaceous body of hers.God damn.My body hardens, thoughts of the bookstore now at the forefront of my mind. It’s been so damn long since I’ve held a woman’s body, and when she pinned me to the bookcase, I witnessed her come alive- and so had my cock. If I’m ever to get this woman in bed, I’m most certain we’d have a field day.

Trent wipes the tears from his eyes, “Awe, man. They certainly were not expecting flying bottles to be their ‘show’. You should’ve seen the looks on their faces.” He nudges her shoulder playfully. “Once they found out she beat up a guy and only walked away with that little thing, they kept their distance.”

He tossed this nugget of info in, knowing where my mind was heading at the thought of someone touching my staff. That is absolutely unacceptable at any time, and I will not stand for it. Her voice rings through the blood-thirsty thoughts, stroking the inner beast and setting it at ease.

“Ahh, this was so much fun. You have no idea how much I needed this tonight.” She lifts her arms over her head in a stretch, showing that glimpse of skin like earlier and I can now confirm that there is indeed a blue, green, and black tattoo on her right side.What do we have there?Why was I upset again? I clear my throat.

“Glad you had fun. Thank you again for doing this.”

“I want to work with this lady all the time.” Trent rushes to say as he put away the rest of the clean glasses.

I can’t ask Lili to help us here when her father is recovering from his accident. She needs to be with him, not behind this bar.

“Trent, I think Lili has enough going on.”

“Lili can speak for herself, thank you.” She commands.Ooh, I like this authoritative Lili.The room falls silent as Ford shuts down the music. Lili rolls her wrist around as she talks with her hand, “I could do it, if you need someone. I enjoy the distraction.” She leans her body against the bar, “Not positive when I will be heading back across the pond. I’d imagine I will be here for a time, possibly the whole summer if my assistant can reorganize my schedule a bit.”

“Boss, should I have to remind you?” Trent chimes in, “You were wanting to hire next month for when the concerts started- you know- for when we get mega slammed. She has the skills of two people. It’s a win-win!” He picks up the tip jar, ready to take it to my office where we count and divide it out. “And boss, you’re going to him and haw on this until the final minute.” He nudges Lili, encouraging her to make her decision, “Girl, we are going to have way too much fun together, I don’t think I can handle it! Just kidding- yes, I can.” He snaps his fingers and leans back with a bit of attitude. This is my indication that he recently had a drag queen show and expect this to not wear off for a few more days.

“Alright. You got me.” I smile and shake my head as I turn to her,

“Lili, the job is yours if you want it. It’s a couple nights a week depending on the concert schedule. I am more than flexible if you’re needing time with your dad.” Then I think about what I just did.

I hired the one person I want in my bed. This could either work to my advantage to get to know more about her, or it could go over like a fartin church and blow up in my face.

I’m not sure she actually holds interest in me; that could all be in my head, too.

She is beautiful Bell, and here I am, the mangey beast.

“Absolutely! Dad’s appointments are during the day, so I’ll be available to work most nights.” Her arms fly in the air then she bounces happily on her toes. This woman is high on life right now and I want it too. I don’t remember a time when I’ve laughed this much in a day.

Sounds great. Let’s go divvy the tip jar while you fill out the application, then I’ll take you home.” The three of us head to my office where

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