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Working as a waitress in the sexiest restaurant in LA has its perks: hot bartenders, a steady flow of cash in your pockets, and a phenomenally exciting night life. But for someone like me, who takes pleasure in routine and order, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. I’ve always liked things uncomplicated and safe. Safe, that is, until sexy billionaire Patrick Rivers bursts into my life, causing my world to spin off its axis. What I did not know was with one small act of chivalry, my life would forever change because of the one thing I feared most—letting myself feel.
This is an erotic novella with explicit sex scenes meant for mature audiences only. *This is not a stand-alone book, but is meant to be read with the rest of the ‘Sexy Series.’
*The Sexy Series Reading Order:
With a Side of Sexy
With a Side of Sassy
With a Side of Spicy
With a Side of Saucy
With a Side of Steamy
With a Side of Bride
Teaser
Why are you sulking?” Sarah asked. “You should be dancing for joy.”
“What?” I looked up out of my daze. I was leaning over the server station with my eyes closed and my face in my hands. I was tired and confused. I needed to get over tonight’s debacle and get a move on so I could get home at a decent time.
“Well, personally I wouldn’t be sulking if Mr. Side of Sexy had left me his phone number. But that’s just me.” Sarah was looking at the credit card receipt that was laying slack in my hand. I hadn’t even noticed. I followed her eyes to the ticket in my hand, and sure enough scrawled in pen at the top of it, was Patrick’s phone number.
“Wait a minute,” she said eyeing the receipt. “That can’t be right.”
“What?” I said, reading it over again. The tab was for Eighty-five dollars and the tip was… “What the…?” My eyes were wide open now.
“A thousand bucks!” she yelled way too loud.
“No way,” I said, not believing my eyes.
“Maybe he added a zero by accident,” Sarah suggested. “But still…”
I stood dazed and befuddled, reading it over and over again. If this was correct, then this one single tip would almost pay my rent for the entire month.
“I wonder if he’s still here.” Sarah poked her head out of the entrance to the dining room like a little woodland creature and then darted back into Server Alley. “Nope. The whole place is empty.”
“I’m just sure he made a mistake,” I agreed with her earlier notion.
“Well, there’s only one way to find out.” She glanced down at the ticket and then back up at me.
“No, I’m not calling him,” I said, catching her insinuation.
“Are you crazy?” she hollered and a busser stopped momentarily while passing by. “Are you crazy?” she repeated in a lower voice once the other worker had gone. “That man is every woman’s wet dream come true. He comes marching in here like a white-knight and saves you from the evil-ex boyfriend, tips you a thousand dollars, and gives you his phone number? And you’re telling me you’re not going to call him? You’ve completely lost your mind, April. Gimme that.”
She swiped the ticket from my hand and streaked out through the dining room and onto the patio deck which hung just over the beach, a breathtaking view of the ocean. I called after Sarah but she didn’t stop. I followed her outside and shivered from the chilly night breeze.
“What are you doing?” I tugged on her sleeve trying to get at the ticket.
She averted my attempts. “Calling Mr. Side of Sexy and asking if the tip is correct.”
“Oh no you don’t!”
“Oh yes I do.” She was dodging and dialing in between every attempt I made at snatching it back. She put the phone to her ear and I finally gave up.
“Yes, hi,” she said in a very businesslike manner. “This is Sarah from A La Carte Restaurant. You were just in here a little while ago?” She paused. “Yes, well we’ve come to the conclusion that you might have made an error on a credit card slip. Did you mean to leave a one-thousand dollar tip?”
I stood anxiously studying her facial expressions, wishing she had put the phone on speaker so I could hear his answer. The anticipation was killing me.
“Uh huh.” She nodded. “Yes.” Her lips turned up in a slight grin. “I see.”
She hung up the phone and pointedly looked behind me. I turned and glanced over my shoulder. And there he was, Patrick —Mr. Side of Sexy himself— strolling up the deck, his sandy hair ruffling in the breeze. He had taken off his sports coat and tie and was now just wearing a crisp white dress shirt, the first couple buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. It fit him like it was tailored specifically for his muscled body. He was putting his cell phone into his pocket. Oh my God.
“He said the tip was intentional,” Sarah whispered to me. She then stood straight and smiled to greet him when he arrived.
“You’re still here,” I said, embarrassed. Why is he still here? Had he waited around to talk to me? My defenses were up, but even then, I couldn’t keep my eyeballs from popping out of my head. I mean, the man was a walking God.
“Hey, April. I gotta get back to work.” Sarah shoved the receipt in my hand. “And I’ll take care of your side work tonight,” she said with a wink.
“No. Sarah.” I protested her leaving me alone with Patrick.
“It’s all good. You owe me one.” She skipped off and disappeared back inside the patio doors.
“My driver hasn’t returned yet from taking Zac home,” he rumbled.
“Oh,” I replied, turning my attention to the trouble standing before me. The tall, blonde, and very handsome trouble that is.
We locked eyes and stared at each other for a moment before I broke and looked down. “Why did you leave such a big tip? That’s a lot of money.”
“Because I wanted you to have it,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I just can’t accept this,” I remarked, shoving the receipt back at him. He looked down at it in his grip and carefully folded it up. Then he took my hand —electric sparks flying all over again at his touch— and carefully tucked it into my palm, curling my fingers up and around it. He didn’t let go, but cupped my hands in both of his.
“Listen. It’s okay. Let’s just say I know a thing or two about being talked down to, and I wanted to make up for what you had to endure tonight.”
“It’s no big deal, really,” I claimed.
“It is a big deal. He should never have said those things to you, alcohol or not. And I want you to tell me if he ever does it again.” Patrick leaned over and brushed my cheek with the backs of his fingers. His voice was deep and meaningful. He sounded so sincere.
Whoa. Side of Sexy was really close now. I could smell his scent; fresh soap and musk. It was intoxicating and drew me in, all of my senses heightening. His full lips were slightly parted and they looked so scrumptiously kissable. I didn’t know what to do. My mind was telling me run! And big red letters flashed caution in my brain. But my heart… my passionate side —and other parts of me— were telling me to go with the flow.
“I was going to take a walk down the beach while I wait. Care to join?” The way he leaned back on one hip, his hands in his pockets, showed an air of confidence, like he could give two shits about what people thought. It was hot. Very hot.
“But…” I looked over my shoulder back at the restaurant.
Patrick leaned in and gently turned my chin back towards him with his finger. “You heard your friend. She says she’s got you covered.” His smile was like a bright white beacon of joy and I found myself hypnotized by his eyes. I caved.
“Just a short one.”
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