Page 24 of Home Brewed (The Perfect Cup #1)

“Remember, no glove, no love!” she shouts as I walk away, causing at least two heads to turn my way as I walk back.

I roll my eyes, knowing that short of firing her, there’s nothing I can really do.

And aside from harassing me, she’s a pretty decent employee, and a pretty great friend.

When I get back to the table, Hazel’s head pops up to look at me.

Her smile returns, even if it’s not as bright as before.

Placing my drink on the table, I stretch across the divide to play with her fingers. “So, have you heard of the band playing tonight?” I ask. We get in a lot of new talent. We still get a few regulars popping up here and there, and this is one of them.

“Not really… I saw the name on the company Instagram story, but I’ve never heard of Heartbreak Tuesdays.” She moves her head, causing her waves to cascade over her shoulder. It looks so damn soft; I want to plunge my hands into it.

“Yeah, they’re one of our regular bands actually, they’re making a quick stop here on the last leg of their tour!” They always brought in a good crowd, so I give them Saturday night spots as often as I can when they’re in town. Not to mention the family connection.

“That’s so cool!”

“It is, and I think you’ll be especially impressed when I tell you that the drummer, James, is Nessa’s older brother.”

I grin as I watch her face change from shock to delight.

“Oh my god, she has told me so much about him! Okay, this just got way more exciting for me!” She’s practically bouncing in her seat now, the joy that had faded while I was gone is now back in full force.

I chuckle under my breath, rubbing my thumb on the back of her hand.

Her attention darts towards it, and I’m rewarded with that sweet pink blush climbing up her neck.

I’m going to make her do that as often as possible tonight.

I swing my chair around next to hers as the band begins setting up on stage, Hazel watching them intently. The lead singer, Jill, steps up to the mic, introducing them before launching into an original upbeat pop/rock song.

Heartbreak Tuesdays has a great portfolio of original songs, considering they started as a garage cover band. Jill’s voice, along with Nick, their bassist’s, ring through the room, with more and more people filing in and moving to stand near the front.

Some people are talking and drinking, others are dancing, and I feel myself let go of my anxieties for the first time in a while.

I’ve been so focused on saving the business from ruin I haven’t taken much time to sit down and enjoy it recently.

I put my arm around Hazel, bringing her in closer to me, and mentally fist-pumping when she nestles into me further.

When we finish our drinks, I lean over to be heard over the band.

“Want to stand closer to the front?” Her eyes sparkle as she looks up at me and nods her head eagerly. She’s so cute.

I guide her towards the stage, far enough from the amps that she won’t go deaf, while still close enough to feel wrapped up in the sound. I position her in front of me before putting my arms around her.

Her hands flit up to my arms, and at first, I’m worried that she’s going to push me away. Instead, she leans her head onto my bicep. We sway slightly to the music, I can feel where her ass fits against me perfectly.

I’m doing my best to pay attention to the music and remain unaffected. It’s blatantly obvious when she notices how stiff I am in my jeans. She pauses her swaying for a moment, then rolls her hips a bit more intentionally into me.

That little brat.

This is the most relaxed I’ve seen her, and seeing how safe she feels around me is empowering. She keeps up her subtle teasing until I can barely stand it. I lean down towards her ear, feeling her shiver as my breath coasts along her neck.

“Not interested in being good tonight?” I ask in a low voice. I keep my head down and she tips her head up to me, mischief lighting her expression.

“Oh no, I’m interested in being very, very good,” the sultry words hit me and any hope of not having a raging erection goes out the window. Her shoulders shake with laughter as she continues to grind slightly against me, still clearly enjoying the music.

And torturing me .

When the chorus comes, she does her best to sing along, even though she doesn’t know many of the words.

I had been crossing my fingers that she’d be into this band, based on the music I see playing from her phone when she works.

I tighten my arms around her and place a gentle, slow kiss on the side of her neck.

Feeling her soften into me instantly takes top spot for the best moment of my life.

Her head is fully back against my chest now as I allow every thought to evaporate that doesn’t have to do with the beautiful woman in my arms. I can’t believe that she’s letting her guard down for me, looking so relaxed and in her element.

I stop kissing her neck to lift her chin and look into her eyes.

“Can I tell you something?” She says nothing as she softly bites her lip, waiting for me to speak. “I wish you had kissed me that day.”

“What day?” I can barely hear her wispy voice over the surrounding noise.

“The first day, in my office. It was all I could think about for ages.”

Her little pink tongue darts out to wet her lips and I break, leaning down to kiss her, half twisted in my arms. For a moment, I’m the one in control of this kiss, until she snakes her hand up to my hair and grips me towards her, similar to how she had that night at her apartment, and kisses me breathless.

Remembering that this is both of our place of work, and that Mel and Nessa are one hundred percent spying on us, I beckon her to follow me, leading her into the dark, empty hallway that leads to my office.

We’re hidden from view, even if we’re still slightly visible.

I try to find my key to let us in, but she’s on me in an instant, pressing me into the wall.

The need simmering under her skin is palpable as I let her pull me under.

Feeling her take what she wants from me, that I am more than willing to give to her, makes all the blood in my body rush to my dick.

Her eagerness and desperation for more is going to drive me insane, my hips pressing further into hers.

My hands rove as our lips and limbs tangle together, only breaking away to catch our breath.

She gasps, lipstick smeared and lips puffy.

Her pupils are wide and when she looks up at me, I can’t help it as I lean in to kiss her again, succumbing to the intoxicating effect she has on me.

I can’t possibly keep myself away from her now that she’s so pliant and needy in my arms.

Why have I been denying myself this?

I’m about to suggest we get out of here when I see a commotion to my left. Reluctantly pulling myself out of the fever dream of kissing Hazel, I turn to see Nessa waving her arms frantically from the bar, just visible from our location.

I’m immediately on high alert. Nothing phases Nessa, so if she’s panicking, there’s a damned good reason.

Hazel sees my change in demeanour and leans away from me, following my gaze to Nessa, who was pointing towards the door.

I crane my head to peer around the corner to the entrance.

It only takes a moment for the joy I was feeling moments before to sour as I take in what Nessa is warning me about, right as it walks in my front door.