*Isadora*
I can feel him watching me, his eyes almost like a physical touch, a hand gently supporting my lower back.
Already as he walked in the door I had noticed him. It was like the whole world shifted slightly to make room for him. Not only due to his size, but the man is both tall and wide, built like an alpha. But it is the strength that rolls off him in waves. He looks like he owns the world and fears nothing at all.
I had been rather enchanted by his presence, but also somewhat nervous. And as he sat down in the back at one of my tables I felt like he had thrown a lasso around my waist and started pulling me in, making it hard to breathe.
Serving the other guests in my area, I might have avoided going to his table for as long as I could. In the end, I have to make my way to where he is sitting, fully aware that he is taking me in just as much as I am him.
His thick dark hair falls past his collar to caress those powerful shoulders. It is brushed to one side, covering the right side of his face partially. It only serves to make him appear more mysterious, like a man who has his secrets and knows how to keep them.
There is something familiar about him, but I can’t put a finger on it. Have I met him ?
Maybe I have passed him on the street, he could live nearby or he could have come in here another night and maybe sit at a table I didn’t serve. In my three months living in town I have, after all, seen a lot of people.
But to be honest I can’t imagine seeing him before and not fully remember him.
“What can I get you ?” I ask, reaching his table.
His hazel eyes widen slightly, but it is so little that I wonder if it’s just my imagination. Something about the way he studies me makes my voice come out a bit breathy.
“Tequila”. His voice has a deep warm note that resonates through my entire body, spreading like a warm and comforting sensation. It’s like coming in from the cold and wrapping in a fluffy blanket in front of a fireplace. I long for him to say more.
But then when I returned with his drink, he had started showing interest in my past and why I am here. But that is my secret, cause if the truth comes out … Well it would not be pretty.
I refuse to even think about it.
As I make my way back between the tables, heading for the bar, I refuse to think about him too.
Lost in my own thoughts I don't see the arm before it wraps around my waist and jerks me off my feet, making me land on a decidedly male lap.
Another hand moving to the part of my person I am currently sitting at, pinching me without my consent or desire for him to do so.
A laughing voice filled with mischief fills my ear. “And who do we have here ? Ain’t you a pretty little thing ?”
I smile at him as I reach behind me on the table, grabbing the pint of beer standing there and empty it over his blonde head. He curses loudly and releases me, pushing me off his lap.
I quickly move a couple of steps away. “Oh I am sorry, I am so clumsy, let me get you another pint”.
To be honest I would have preferred to hit him over the head with the mug, but I know I will already be in trouble as it is. The Rogue prides itself on how well it treats its guests, not differentiating between humans and wolves.
Moving quickly I hurry up to the bar and smack the mug down on the mahogany counter. “He needs a new beer”.
The bartender, who is also the daily manager, sighs as if in pain, which might be how I make him feel. “Didn’t I tell you not to pour beer on guests ?”
Okay so this is the third time I do this in less than two weeks. For a moment I consider trying to explain my side, but it hadn’t really helped me the two other times. No sympathy to gain here, just more disapproval. So I suck it up and accept the scolding, however unfair I find it.
Up until a short time ago no one had ever been rude to me, or acted inappropriate towards me. I don’t care for this lack of consideration toward me, or the fact that no one cares about my opinion any longer. As a whole I am not a fan of this new life.
“It’s coming out of your tips”.
Trying to remain cool and not lose my job on top of this I nod again. If I keeps this up there won’t be any tips and he will have to take from my measly salary.
“Butch pinched her butt, Sam”. Cleo, one of my colleagues say. “I saw him do it”.
“Like you could see it from over here”. He shakes his head.
She makes a face. “I have twenty twenty visions”.
“And those good eyes can see through things and people ?” He is filling the glass.
Cleo sends me an apologetic smile. “Guys like that don't mean it badly, they are just fooling around”.
“But it is serious, isn’t it ? I did not appreciate that, at all ?” I look at Cleo, I can imagine she has had plenty of groping and worse, she is a pretty young woman with a curvy body she likes to show off.
She might not have really minded though, considering how she is always flirting and giggling with men. I don’t think it is wrong, it’s just not for me.
I must admit I am disappointed to see the large fellow I had just served leaning down to say something to the cackling Butch. Probably he wants to ask what my backside feels like.
But then Butch abruptly stops laughing. I have heard of people turning as white as a ghost but have never seen anyone actually do it. Until now. This Butch guy looks as though the man has effectively and quickly leeched all the blood from his veins.
“Oh Butch won't be touching you again”. Cleo says with a bit of triumph. “Now that Beast has had a quiet word with him”.
“Beast ?”
Cleo looks slightly surprised but nods. “Yeah. The big bloke there”.
The man doesn’t even look back as he strides out through the door. I wonder how he has come to have that moniker because in my eyes he is anything but beastly. Devil would have served him better as he is devilishly handsome, his features strong.
“Who is he, besides being called Beast ?” I ask.
Cleo gives me a pointed look. “A man you don't want to cross if you know what's good for you”.
See this is something I would have liked to know earlier. Like before my previous encounter with him would have been exceedingly nice. I have a feeling he hadn’t at all like my answer to his question, so I doubt very much that whatever he had said to Butch had nothing to do with me. Maybe he owes the man money.
Sam puts the full pint of beer in front of Cleo. “Can you hand this to Butch ?”
“I think it is better if Isa does it”.
I totally forgave Sam for being grumpy with me when he asked Cleo, and I want to curse her for saying no. But I also realise it wouldn’t be fair to have her tend to my tables on top of her own. So I grab the glass and move back to the table, keeping an eye on Butch hands.
But then I realise how all the four men at the table is studying said table, like they have never seen one like this one before and is trying to figure out how to use it. Without saying anything I put down the glass.
“I’m really sorry”. Butch mumbles.
“I beg your pardon ?”
With eyes that are big, wide, and fearful, he looks up at me. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It won't happen again”.
I try not to let my surprise show. “I would very much appreciate that and I accept your apology”.
“Can you tell Beast ? The next time he comes in, right, you'll tell that I said I was sorry. Don't need my fingers broken or nothing”. His words tumbles out, one after another, no breath or pause between.
This time I am not capable of hiding my amazement. Had he seriously threatened to break Butch’s fingers ? None of his friends seems to dare look at me. Actually they kind of seem to try and melt into their chairs.
“I will tell him, sure”.
“Thanks sweetie”. Butch grabs his glass and starts gulping the content down.
I guess I feel him just a bit. I have no idea why this Beast guy decided to defend my honour, but I have to admit that it feels good knowing that someone did. It has been some time now since anyone but my brothers have been my champion.
I walk over to the table where he was sitting to pick up the empty glass. When I reach it I see a 50 dollar bill on the table. But I just pick up the glass and turn to leave.
“The money is for you”.
I look at the busboy Ron, who is wiping off a nearby table. It’s usually his job to clean, also the glasses, before wiping down the table. But as the guy had only had that one drink, I wanted to spare him some work. “No, money left on the table if for the busboy”.
Ron walks over to me. “He already gave me mine, and said that one was for you”.
“He gave us each fifty dollars ?” The notes value here … if I don’t subtract the upended beer… is what I will normally earn for a day's work..
The young man shrugs, the brown locks covering his forehead falling into his eyes as he moves. “Like all the Tempest brothers, he's probably as rich as Croesus”.
He is a Tempest ? That is no doubt why he looked familiar. I have probably seen him at one of recent weddings, some of his brothers have married high ranking pack members.
The owner of this bar, a sweet kick ass woman named Gina, has married the Alpha of the Thornback pack. Will this Beast guy tell his sister how rude I had been to him ? Will I lose my job ? But then why would he have given me such a generous tip if he is going to take action to see me gone ?
“Go on, take it”. Ron says as he begins running a damp cloth over the table.
Very carefully, I pick up the note and slip it into my pocket. “Does he come here often ?”
“Depends what you call often. The brothers all used to spend a good bit of their time here before they got married. He's the only one who has managed to escape the matrimonial shackles, so far. He doesn't come here as often now that the others are busy with their families”.
When Mr. Tempest returns, I will not only let him know that Butch had apologized, but will also thank him for having a word with the handsy young man. I don’t think anyone at that table is going to be giving my bottom any attention in the near future.
Certainly no one bothers me the rest of the night.