Chapter 11 - Killian

There was no doubt in my mind that Leah would excel in her role at the bar, but when she showed up the following afternoon, she looked apprehensive.

“Are you sure you want me working here?” she asked, tying a black apron around her waist.

“One hundred percent,” I replied. “Now, follow me, and I’ll show you where everything is. We still have about an hour until we open, which should be plenty of time to show you the ropes. I should warn you, tonight will be busy. Saturdays always are. But it’ll start slow and build up, so I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

Leah didn’t look convinced, but I couldn’t let her doubt affect her abilities. I needed to help her get some confidence before the customers showed up.

“We’ll have two other waitresses tonight since it’s your first day, but we usually just have two on the weekends and one on weekdays,” I explained. “The cook and assistant cook will be in the back. We just serve appetizers and bar food, really, but the cook is amazing. Me and another bartender will make drinks.”

I showed her where to bring food and drink orders, and the register the waitresses used to cash out checks. Leah surprised me by memorizing the entire food menu in less than five minutes. She was well on her way to memorizing the specialty drinks and beers on tap by the time the rest of the employees arrived.

“I’m impressed,” I said, squeezing her shoulder affectionately.

I saw a slight smile creep onto her face as I greeted the rest of the crew and set everyone about their tasks.

“Leah, do you want to shadow Jillian tonight while you learn the ropes?” I asked. "Or do you think you’re good to go on your own?”

“Surprisingly, I think I’ll be okay on my own,” she said.

“If you end up needing any help, just ask anyone. We all want you to do well here,” Jillian called out to her.

Leah smiled back, and I felt hope that her nervousness had subsided. I believed in her; I just hope she believed in herself.

As I had promised, the next few hours were a slow and steady trickle of customers. Leah was in her element. She smiled and joked with the customers so much, I began to doubt my decision to have her work just part-time. She was keeping everyone happy, including the staff. It felt like she was the missing piece to our puzzle.

But even more than that, I was glad for the opportunity to observe her without her noticing. She wasn’t flashy or in-your-face, but there was an aura of fun that surrounded her that infected the entire establishment. Even me.

“You don’t seem like your usual serious self tonight, Killian,” one of my patrons observed as I poured him a shot of whiskey at the bar.

“No?” I said. “Must just be something in the air.”

“Aye, I know what it is,” he replied. He turned to look at Leah and raised an eyebrow before winking in my direction.

“Alright, that’s enough from you,” I said with a laugh. “Don’t tease me too much, or I might stop bringing my wife into work.”

“You would never,” he said. “At this rate, it looks like she’s going to be solely responsible for the success of this place, if this is how well she does on her first day.”

I smiled at the compliment to my mate, making a mental note to share the praise with her later.

“Killian, do you have a second?” Leah asked from the register.

I walked over and saw that she was staring at the computer in confusion. “What’s up?” I asked.

“Table seven had a gift card, but you didn’t walk me through how to apply those to their bill,” she explained. “I tried to figure it out, but I didn’t want to make a mistake.”

“I can show you,” I replied.

I tapped the necessary keys and explained what I was doing while she watched in concentration.

“Okay, great,” she said. “I think I’ve got it from here. Thank you.”

“Need help with anything else? All your tables treating you okay?”

Leah smiled at my concern before answering. “Everyone is very kind, and I haven’t found anything else I need help with yet. I really do appreciate you giving me this chance to earn my own money, and for helping me get the hang of it.”

“Of course,” I replied. “In fact, that gentleman down at the end of the bar was so impressed with you that he warned me you might take the entire business from me one day. I’d say you’re having an amazing first day.”

Leah laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t take your bar from you. But I will be collecting all my tips for the evening. Don’t get it into your head that I’ll be splitting them with you.”

I chuckled as she walked back to table seven with their receipt. I was glad to see that her feistiness was returning. Her confidence was one of her most alluring qualities, and I found myself beginning to think of all her other attractive attributes.

“Ki! Come back down here and pour an old man another drink,” someone called from the bar.

I sighed, returning to my station.

***

“Congratulations on the end of your first day,” I said to Leah as I locked the doors behind the last customer. “Can I make you a drink to celebrate?”

“I’d love one,” she replied.

“Anything in particular?”

Leah shrugged. “Surprise me.”

I grabbed a glass, a bottle of tequila, lime, and grapefruit juice while Leah sat down at the bar across from me.

“That looks delicious,” she said as I passed the paloma to her.

“It’s one of my favorites,” I said, putting away the items I had used and wiping down the counter.

“I was right, it is delicious,” she said, licking her lips after taking her first sip.

I chuckled at her expression. “Don’t get too drunk now. We still need to clean this place up.”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, wiping the smile from her face and giving me a solemn salute.

“Calm down, sassy,” I joked. “We just need to wipe down the tables, put the chairs up, and sweep the floors. Everything in the kitchen is already done, and the opener will mop in the morning.”

She bent over the bar to grab a rag and the cleaning supplies from under the cabinet. Her chest pressed up against the wooden table. With her ass in the air, I realized I was going to have this picture of her seared into my brain for the rest of my life.

“Um,” I stammered, trying to wipe the stare from my face. “I’ll, uh, grab the broom.”

I came back from the storeroom and saw she had almost finished with the tables already. “Damn, you’re quick,” I said appreciatively.

“Faster than you, at least,” she teased.

I put the chairs up on the tables she had already finished, and before we knew it, we were done.

“I’m going to be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever finished night clean-up this quickly before,” I said as we put our supplies away. “Are you ready to go home?”

“Still need to finish my drink,” she said. “I’ll share if you ask nicely.”

I couldn’t resist her teasing. “Oh, please, my darling,” I said in mock servitude. “I am parched. May I have a sip of your delicious beverage?”

“Not a chance!” she said. The drink was halfway gone now.

“Please?” I asked, moving in closer to her.

She looked up into my eyes, and I saw her pupils widen. Her mouth opened slightly, and her eyes darted down to my lips. She handed the cup to me, and I took a swig before placing it on the counter. Her eyes had remained fixed on mine, and I knew it was now or never.

I placed both hands on either side of her face and leaned in. My lips met hers tentatively, but when she immediately kissed me back, I felt all the barriers between us strip down to nothing. Our mouths crashed together passionately, and I tasted the drink on her tongue, exploring her mouth with my own.

Her teeth caught on my bottom lip, nibbling gently as she pulled away before bringing me right back in. I felt my head spinning as I forgot to breathe, wondering if this was what ecstasy felt like.

For years, I had waited to be with her again. Now, I could finally show her just how much I wanted to be with her.

Our kisses before were tame compared to now. I felt like I needed to make up for the years I hadn’t been with her with this single moment, and I found myself pushing the boundaries further and further.

I picked her up easily and set her on the barstool behind her, wrapping her legs around my waist. Leah gave a sharp intake of breath and looked at me in surprise. I wondered if I had misjudged her interest, but she wrapped her hands around the back of my neck and pulled me in to kiss her once again.

I took her greedily, allowing my hands to roam over her body. My hands found her breasts and squeezed. I moaned at the feeling of her firm, luscious bosom in my rough palms.

My hands roved down to the fastening of her jeans, and I began to unbutton them roughly. Her hands faltered on my biceps, and I stopped abruptly.

“Is this okay?” I asked uncertainly.

Leah didn’t respond right away, but a blush crept into her cheeks. She looked down at the floor, and I felt more than saw that she was backing away from me.

“I like kissing you,” she said quietly.

Realization hit me as I removed my hands from her waist and placed her hands gently in mine. I sighed, disappointed with myself for taking liberties with her before asking if she was ready to move forward physically with me. I was horrified that I had been so rough and demanding. What kind of man takes a woman’s virginity in a bar?