Like A Boss (10 page)

“This is great, Penny. I think it’ll really help.”

“Can I ask a question, Theo?”

“Sure, anything.”

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I mean, you hated the ideas this morning.” I twisted my linen napkin in my lap.

“I didn’t hate them, I was... preoccupied.” He licked his lips, slow and sensual.

My face grew hot as the wicked gleam in his eyes reminded me of the shameless way he licked and sucked me until I came on the bar. He was The Lord of The Pussy Eaters, no doubt about it. With a pitter-patter in my heart, I pressed my thighs together and tried to look away.

“Fine, you didn’t hate them.”

“I didn’t.” His lips curved upward. “Are you busy later? I need to get Lucy back to her mother’s, but I would like to keep discussing this.”

“Sure, that would be great.”

We finished off our entrees and left the restaurant.

“How about you meet me at the Bearded Goat and we can figure out a place to discuss things.” He picked up Lucy and she rested her head on his shoulder.

“Sounds great.”

I left him standing on the side of Ocean Drive and headed off in the direction of the sandy shore.

The moon hung low along the horizon casting a glowing reflection on the ocean. The waves were minimal, and I felt like a trespasser on a serene moment in time. My one-night with Theo, tucked away in the lifeguard station, flooded my mind. Tonight, I wanted to blurt out to him who I was. To hell with the consequences. But, I couldn’t take the risk he would fire me, not now. My own dream was within reach. A wistful exhale left me and I closed my eyes letting the breeze rush over my skin. I could only hope I came out of this with my heart intact. Everything since the moment we met was one downward spiral into an endless abyss, and I was terrified no one would be there to save me. Or if I even deserved saving.

THEO

Fuck yeah.

The plans Penny had were good, really good. She knew what she was doing. With a feeling things might work out in my favor, I drove Lucy home and headed to the Goat.

“Have you seen Penny?” I called out to Henry as I marched up to the bar he stood behind.

“Oh, we weren’t expecting you this evening, Mr. Sullivan.” His lazy surfer attitude annoyed me.

“I didn’t plan on coming in,” I said, scanning the open area for her. “Penny? Have you seen her?” I clipped off.

“Err…no, I don’t know…”

“Think fast, I’m in a hurry.”

“She’s off tonight.” With no patience to listen to information I already knew, I turned away and headed out onto the deck, my eyes still roaming.

As I stepped onto the faded wooden slats of the outside patio, the weight of seeing Penny off in the distance left me riveted. A blurred couple blocked my line of sight, and I pushed them slightly as they passed by.

Motionless, I confessed to myself—no matter how much I wanted to hate her, how much I probably could hate her; I didn’t.

Her hair danced in the wind as the neon lights of the city outlined her sexy silhouette. My eyes wouldn’t shift; my heart wouldn’t beat—I couldn’t focus on anything but her.

With a quick boost in confidence, I headed to meet her, trying hard to move my stoic feet. “Penny,” I said, walking up behind her.

She didn’t turn, she didn’t move.

My heart pounded as she leaned her head back against my chest. She smelled good. She felt good.

Remembering where I was, I gently pushed her shoulders and she spun around. “Theo, hi,” she whispered.

“Did you want to take a walk?”

“Yeah,” she murmured.

We didn’t speak again until we were well past the Bearded Goat, and the flashing lights of the main strip faded in the distance.

The air was balmy, yet she still held her hands clutching onto her shoulders. “You’re not cold, are you?”

“No, just thinking,” she murmured.

“Care to share?”

“You don’t strike me as a father. The way you were with her tonight, it was sweet.” She stopped walking to face me. “Well, you’re not very sweet, Theo.” She sighed, looking up at the sky, then back to me. “I guess I’m trying to figure you out.”

“Ok, I don’t really know what to say here.” Her eyes bore into mine, and I felt as if she could see straight through the guarded fortress surrounding my heart.

“I’m just thinking out loud.”

“I guess I’m not the pompous asshole you thought I was?”

“No, guess not.” She smiled. “Where would you like to have this business talk?”

I tried to think of where to take her. “Why don’t we sit on that beach bench over there?”

We sat side by side on the wooden bench perched near the coast, and I felt it was the time to “eat crow,” as some say. “Tell me everything you think The Goat needs,” I said, resting my arm along the back of the bench. “I had thought about a new name.”

“Definitely.” Her eyes lit up and I could see the passion shining from them. “A new name would be most important.” She tucked a leg under her. “Also, you could do something with the patio. It needs help, everything is boring. New umbrellas, add more seating, some lights around the patio. Spice it up, add a little class to the joint.”

I ran my fingers over my beard. “I like it.”

“What would you rename it?” she asked.

“I was thinking of calling the bar, Lopa.”

“I love Lopa, sounds very mystical,” she said, as she turned her head to gaze out at the ocean. “Where did you come up with it?”

“Just a name that reminds me of something, and it’s never really left me,” I said, watching how the moon reflected against her skin.

She sighed as I slid closer. “It’s a nice name. I think it will work.”

I leaned in and ran my nose along her neckline.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Shh. Quiet.” My fingers were already running through her soft strands of gold. Her copper eyes glistened in the moonlight, and my eyes dropped to her mouth. Her lips called to me like a siren, and I would no longer deny myself the feel of them.

I joined our lips as her soft whimpers muffled into my mouth.

Her tongue slid along mine, soft and wet.

She broke the kiss suddenly and pushed my chest away.

Her eyes sprang open, and I couldn’t read the expression hidden inside. “I still have a boyfriend,” she said, softly.

My neck grew hot, my fingers still clutched in her hair as my mind raced. “Oh, ok. Then why are you here right now?” I breathed across her cheek.

“I’m sorry. I should have never let it get this far. You seem to always catch me off guard.”

“Off guard?”

She pushed me the remainder of the way away from her.

“I can’t think straight when I’m around you,” she said.

I stood from the bench. “I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow morning and we’ll start implementing the changes. Have a good night, Penny.” I clenched my fists, my knuckles turning white from the pressure.

She sat there with her mouth agape as I turned to walk away. I heard her faint goodbye as I neared Ocean Drive.

I pushed away any sexual desire toward Penny, as I slid into the leather seat of my Audi.

When I arrived home I grabbed my notebook and pen and tried again to write another list.

Reasons why you NEED to stop thinking about Penny

●
    
She has a boyfriend

●
    
She has a boyfriend

●
    
She has a boyfriend

●
    
She has a fucking boyfriend you fucking moron

With despair, I stared at the words written. I flipped the page, and with a new sheet I wrote out a new list.

Reasons why I CAN’T stop thinking about Penny

●
    
She’s everything I’ve ever wanted

Fuck. I slammed my fist against the notebook and tossed it across the room.

***

The next day I sat down in my office of The Goat to start the first phases of Penny’s ideas.

First I needed a name for the project. I stared to the ceiling as my mind went blank. Grabbing my clipboard, I turned the page to a new sheet.

Plan of Attack

●
                   
Project Freckle’s Ideas

●
                   
Operation Freckle’s Brilliant Plans

●
                   
Penny may be smarter than me

●
                   
Freckle’s sexy ideas

●
                   
Operation she has a boyfriend.

I stopped for a moment as the thought of her boyfriend hit home.
Fuck.

●
                   
Project who cares about her (ideas)

●
                   
Operation Penny’s bright ideas and stupid love life

●
                   
Operation this is fucking pointless

I give up.
Her plan of attack would be just that. An attack I wasn’t expecting. One which took me by surprise, freckles and all. Operation Fix This Bar and Leave Me Alone. I shoved the clipboard away from me and blew out a defeated breath.

After my failed attempt at a list, I called the fan company to have the oscillating fans installed.

Next, when Seth and Henry arrived, we spent the whole morning rearranging the patio furniture.

Penny suggested the patio could use a makeover, and more tables could be added to accommodate more guests.

Funny thing, the extra tables and chairs were in the storage room. The previous owner took them out because he didn’t like the Feng Shui it created.

I, however, wanted to fill the seats, not harmonize with the universe.

A sign company to change the name was next on the list. After a quick phone call, the paperwork was taken care of to bring the Lopa to life.

Next, I went over a new menu with the head chef, Hector. We decided to serve sexy tapas as opposed to the fried, greasy garbage we slung out on a daily basis. As soon as I gave Hector the freedom to create whatever he wanted he came alive with enthusiasm.

His Spanish heritage had the small bites and appetizers appearing a lot more delicious than the previous menu.

The next day he made a few of the dishes and let the staff try the cuisine.

We dined on Ceviche, Ensaladas, and even Pulpo A Las Brasas.

Hector explained with a diverse menu of high-end tapas we would bring in a new class of guests, and this type of menu would showcase the Latin community of Miami.

The menu not only featured tapas, it also had family-style dishes of Paella, Albondigas, and Coctel Marino.

When Penny arrived, our eyes met, and I quickly squashed the feeling of rejection from a few nights ago and called her over to try some of the food.

“Try the Pulpo,” I said, handing her a fork.

“Looks good. What is it?”

“Octopus.” I laughed as her freckled nose turned away from the food. “It’s good, I promise.”

She was adventurous and I watched her try a small piece. “You’re right. Hector, good job,” she said, smiling to the chef in his white coat.

“Penny, can you help draft a few cocktail menus for the days of the week promotion in the office? Seth can handle the bar right now,” I said.

“Sure. I’d love to.”

She left down the hallway and I returned my attention back to Seth and Henry.

“Let’s grab a few of the new chairs, guys. The installers for the fans should be here tomorrow or the next day, so it should be real nice out here soon,” I said, surveying the back porch deck.

“Mr. Sullivan, it’s real cool how you’re trying to change this place to make it better. I think the previous owner only enjoyed partying and didn’t care if this place went belly up,” Henry said as he ran a hand across his jaw.

“You can thank Penny.”

Thinking of her, I wandered down the hall to see how she was doing. I didn’t want her to get too nosey in the office, or to see anything more from Pardo Inc.

I opened the door and she sat behind my oak desk, her bright teal tank showcasing her perky tits.

Shutting the door behind me, she lifted her head and her eyes met mine.

“How are the menus coming along?”

“Almost done. I’m excited.” Her enthusiasm was cute. Her nose crinkled and the adorable freckles splattered there were highlighted by the sun coming in through the small window.

Upset about the idea of her having a boyfriend, I frowned as I moved closer to check out the menus she created.

Fuck, all of my emotions were centered around the anger I felt from the fact of the mysterious boyfriend. Did he eat her out as well as I did? I pushed away the thought of Penny’s succulent pussy as I tried to focus on the first set of menus.

The Spanish mosaic design she created along the paper was the perfect amount of class and not too girly.

She knew what she was doing, and I questioned why I dismissed the idea of her for the management job.

She stood from the office chair and came next to me to study the menus.

“This is really good work.” I forced a smile.

“I think you need to advertise.” Her eyes lit up as she spoke, her voice rising with excitement. “Maybe on the radio? Or the news stations.”

Another great idea, and I fumed I wasn’t the one who thought of it first. “Maybe.”

“Oh come on. You know it’s good,” she taunted.

“I guess. I mean, meh.”

She swatted my arm playfully as she laughed. “Ok, Mr. Tough Guy, I’ll let you have it. You can tell everyone you thought of it.” She chewed on the corner of her mouth as she glanced at me.

“No, I would never take the credit away from you. I’ll admit it, Penny, you’re the Queen of Good Ideas.” I smiled and held up the menus as evidence.

“Why, thank you.”

My smile faltered as I held her stare. The light buzz of the computer sang in the background, and my brow furrowed at the thought of the boyfriend once more.

I had questions, so many fucking questions. “Why?” was the only one I was able to mumble.

“Excuse me?”