Riding the Thunder - Deborah MacGillivray [93]
“You can start today if you like. My new hostess,” she motioned to Netta, “can walk you through things and get you settled. The smocks are in the locker. Netta will show you where. Once you get your own personal locker set up, come back and fill out the application, the W-2 form, and I’ll give you a key to a cabin.”
“Come on, sweet thing, I’ll get you squared away.” Netta smiled and pushed open the kitchen door.
At the same time as Netta took Winnie into the kitchen, Jago and Derek pushed through the front door. Asha chuckled as both men looked back to the black car, their expressions easy to read. Jago grinned, possession clear in his eyes. Poor Derek had the wistful, sad look of one saying good-bye to his beloved.
Jago turned to see Asha watching him and gave her a drop-dead, sexy smile. “It’s mine. All mine. Well, it’s property of Trident Ventures until I get the money transferred here.”
“Yeah, I guessed that’s what put the grin on your face.” She chuckled. “Of course, your Harley might get jealous.”
Coming around the counter he opened his arms wide. He looked damn delicious in his black jeans, leather jacket and blue T-shirt, an irresistible bad boy that had stolen her heart.
“Hey, there’s enough of me for both.” He kissed her cheek and whispered, “Enough for you, too . . . if you say pretty please with a cherry on top.”
Putting a hand on his chest, she resisted the urge of fisting her fingers in the cotton and yanking him to her for a kiss that would knock his socks off. Instead, she pushed him back a step. “Cool it, Sexy Lips. I’m gearing up for the lunch rush around here.”
“In that case, fix me a glass of iced tea, and if I may, I’ll borrow the phone in the office to make some calls.”
She winked. “Only if you say pretty please with a cherry on top.”
He shoved against her hand, invading her space in challenge. “I have interesting ideas about maraschino cherries and whipped cream.”
“I have a passion for maraschino cherries,” Asha confessed. Swallowing hard, she tried to think of something utterly witty and so sexy it’d make him swallow hard. Only, visions of Reddi-wip and sexy, sinful cherries filled her mind. Heat flooded her body as she blushed.
To hide her reaction, she turned away to fix his iced tea. Jago just laughed, knowing how he’d pushed her buttons. Fine, let him. She’d get even later.
Derek grumped, “If you two are finished playing lovebirds, can I have a beer? And don’t gripe that it’s too early in the day, Asha. I just sold my Shelby. I need something a lot stronger but will settle for a Coors.”
Chatting happily, Netta and Winnie came from the kitchen. The girl’s jovial expression died when her eyes locked with Derek’s. Flashing a fearful look at Asha, she quickly followed Netta into the office. Setting the Coors on a paper coaster, Asha excused herself and followed them.
Going to the file cabinet, she took out the papers needed to employ Winnie and a set of keys to cabin #11. “Sorry, it’s been locked up for a year. You’ll need to air it and vacuum the inch-thick dust. You can take the papers onto the porch to fill in everything. This one is for your doctor to fill out. I’ll reimburse you for the physical, but I need your physician to certify you’re healthy enough to work. Other than that, I’m an easy employer. I run The Windmill like a family. That means Derek and you get along on the clock. On your own time, whatever you do is your business, but here you’re happy campers. Any questions?”
Still smiling, Winnie shook her head no and held out her hand for the keys. Asha hesitated for a heartbeat, hoping her instincts were right. She loved the harmony of The Windmill, and didn’t want anything to disturb that. Looking into Winnie’s warm brown eyes, she had to go with her inner voice that said this girl would fit in. Oh, she didn’t expect it to be all sunshine and roses. Derek’s feelings would have to be soothed. Even so, she dropped the keys into Winnie’s palm, comfortable with her decision.
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