Bound for Me (Be for Me #4)(28)

“Why would you want to do that?” she asked.

“I want—” He broke off. Then breathed. “Because.”

“I don’t need you to rescue me.” She tried to step away from him, but he tightened his arms.

“I know. And you won’t let me do that anyway. I’m just keeping you company.”

No, there was more to it that that. “Why? Because you’re hot for it?”

His mouth twisted wryly. “Because I don’t trust you.”

Truth at last. She stiffened. “Let me go, there are people arriving.”

Slowly, too slowly, he released her.

Savannah turned away, quickly licking her dry lips. “It gets very busy, you sure you can keep up?”

“I think I can hold my own.”

Ten minutes later the bar was packed out with beautiful, rich young things and Savannah was working it.

“You’re good.” he said as she poured the latest mix perfectly to the salt-edged rim of the glass.

“I’ve had plenty of experience.” She watched him pop the cork of a bottle of eye-wateringly expensive champagne—without spilling a precious drop. “Seems you have too.”

“Don’t we make a good team?” He sent her a meaningful look and then walked past—almost brushing against her—to pour the glasses.

The awful thing was it felt good to have him so near, shooting looks down the bar that made her toes curl in her boots.

The only thing she could do was glare back and then work harder, faster. The ultimate in distraction was in besting him behind the bar.

“So ruthlessly efficient,” he muttered, his voice laden with innuendo, as she passed him.

She didn’t lower herself to reply, instead she focused on mixing, on throwing cocktails, juggling bottles. It was all about the show. And yes, ruthless efficiency. She was good at her job. She didn’t deserve to have lost her own damn bar. And one day, she’d get it back.

“Are you pouring the drinks tonight?”

Savannah glanced over at the oh-so-sultry purr. A gorgeous redhead was drinking Connor in with her eyes. Could she get her cleavage any further over the bar?

“Helping out a friend.” Connor answered with a smile as he set the redhead’s drink in front of her.

“Anything else I can get for you?” he asked.

“Plenty.”

Yeah. It was obvious what else the redhead wanted. Savannah looked down the length of the bar. Seemed word was out about the new bartender because it was the pretty girls lining up.

“What can I get you?” Savannah stalked to the other end of the bar.

“Oh no,” the girl giggled. “I’ll wait to be served by him.”

Savannah gritted her teeth and turned to the next customer. A male. Good. He grinned at her and her ego lifted.

“Who’s that new bartender?” he asked.

“Connor Hughes.” Savannah clipped.

“No.” The brunette next to the guy gasped. “The Connor Hughes?”

“Apparently so,” Savannah tried to smile.

“That can’t be Connor Hughes. No one hardly ever sees Connor Hughes, there’s no way he’d be serving people behind a bar.” The guy said.

“You don’t think?” Savannah asked.

“I know. He never leaves his office. Never mixes. Always works.” The guy said frowning at Connor.

“Well now he’s working here and I need an introduction.” The brunette interrupted and leaned over the bar towards Savannah. “What does he drink? What does he like to drink?”

“I’m not sure,” Savannah answered between gritted teeth. “But what can I get you to drink?”

“Oh nothing. I’ll wait for him to serve me.”

Right. She’d be waiting a long while then, because the crowd down Connor’s end of the bar was now five deep.

And he, damn him, was handling it. Not with any great speed or with her bottle juggling flashiness. But handling it with cool, measured patience.

“I’ll take a beer, please, Ma’am.” Another guy stepped in with his order.

Savannah sent him a dismissive glance. “Of course.”

Had Connor really worked all the jobs at his resort? Is that why he hardly ever left the Lodge? Didn’t he party with the guests?

She pulled the beer from the fridge and straightened. But damn, she was confused. She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead with her free hand.

When she looked up, ready to get on with it, Connor had materialized right in front of her.

“What are you doing?” She snapped at him after three seconds of just standing there. “I have that guy’s beer. Move.”

He didn’t move. He didn’t stop frowning. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

He wanted to talk transportation plans now? “Not necessary. Luca is.”

Connor carefully put the bottle he was holding onto the bar.

“Connor?”

He took the beer bottle she was holding and placed that on the bar alongside his.

“There are customers waiting,” she hissed. Millions of beautiful, nubile, customers all of whom apparently wanted him.

“I don’t give a damn. You’re not going home with Luca.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m getting a lift with him.”