So instead, he shook his head and said, “Nothing.”
Ross’s eyes widened. “Nothing? But…?” He leaned back in his chair. “The business is losing money every night.”
“Yeah, but…” Janus paused, not sure how to explain himself. “It’s a good place. It has an excellent location and a faithful clientele. Plus, the menus options are outstanding.”
Ross’s eyes narrowed. “Janus, this is…odd. It’s not like you to ignore a business that is losing money. You’re usually gung ho to dig into the details and figure out how to make the restaurant work more profitably. What gives?”
Janus rubbed a hand over his face, knowing that Ross was right. It was foolish to let a restaurant linger without improvements. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t stand the thought of changing anything that might affect Stevie’s life. “This one is different. At least for now.”
Ross wasn’t appeased. “But…I can give you…”
“No,” Janus replied with finality. “Just leave that one running as is for now.”
His business manager stared at Janus for a long moment, then shrugged. “Fine. Same rules?”
“Exactly. Be even more careful about this one.”
Ross nodded dutifully. “Got it. No one is to know you own it. As far as anyone else is concerned, you are not a partner in this or any business, and especially not on the piano bar.”
“Thanks. Regarding the other issues that you e-mailed about,” he began, then gave Ross a series of instructions. It took about three hours, but they finally finished working and headed out. Janus was excited to head over to the piano bar and see Stevie. But when he glanced at his watch, he realized that he would get there too early if he left now. Instead, he headed home and logged into his computer, going over more details. He’d reviewed the financials from the previous owner and knew that this was the prime dinner hour. She’d be swamped, serving predinner cocktails and chatting.
Nope, when he walked in, he preferred to have her undivided attention. Which was why he arrived about an hour before closing every Friday and Saturday night. Initially, his arrival had simply been to scope out the place and find out if it would be a good investment. But he’d gotten one look at Stevie behind the bar and…that had been it. His attention had been all about Stevie.
For about the thousandth time that night, Stevie glanced around, looking for the one person she most wanted to see. Normally, she enjoyed tending the bar on Friday and Saturday night. The customers were sweet and patient, plus, she’d worked here long enough that she knew most of their drink preferences and had them ready even before they ordered. That increased her tips and kept the complaints to a minimum.
“Everything okay?” her boss asked, moving closer and checking things out behind the bar.
“All good,” Stevie promised, wiping down a wet spot on the polished bar.
“Good. I don’t know why I even ask. You have everything all prepped and ready before your shift starts.” He sighed. “Would you mind teaching the other bartenders? They aren’t anywhere as good as you are.”
“Thanks Mike,” she said, meaning it. She worked hard, and a little recognition was always nice.
Thankfully, the evening dinner rush died down as Janus walked in. He was a bit earlier than normal, but the desire in his eyes warned her that he was just as eager to see her as she was to see him. And that made all of her senses fire up with excitement.
He wore a light blue shirt, open at the neck and tucked into a pair of charcoal slacks. He looked…amazing! Breathtaking! Goodness, she had it bad, she thought as those silver eyes captured her attention.
“Hi there,” she said, placing a glass of whiskey in front of him just he sat down.
“How are you?” he asked. The look in his eyes told her that he was asking more than if her evening was going okay.
Stevie beamed, nodding her head. “Exceptionally well. Thanks for asking.”
He grinned right back at her. “Good to know. Because I’d like to try a few variations on last night’s theme tonight.”
Her blush was almost instantaneous. “Oh really?”
Janus grinned as well, that sexy dimple showing up as he leaned forward. “Yeah. Really.”
She laughed, feeling free and wonderful. “I think that can be arranged.” Glancing at her watch, she groaned. “But not for a while yet. You’re early. What’s going on?”
He shrugged one of those deliciously muscular shoulders. “Eh, I didn’t have anything else to do.”
Stevie flinched slightly. Wow, that hurt. But because their relationship was so new, she tried to hide it. She’d been counting the minutes until she could see him all day, and he…he was here simply because he was bored?
Yeah, that hurt. More than she wanted it to.
“No, that’s not true,” he sighed, rubbing his jaw. “The truth is, I just…I couldn’t wait to see you.”
Wow! The pain vanished and she felt as if the sun had come out. “Really?” she asked, the smile growing as he nodded.
“Yeah. Really. I feel like an idiot, but I just…I had to see you again. So here I am, early, and you have customers to tend to. Go,” he waved his glass towards the elderly couple approaching the bar, arm in arm.
She laughed, then turned to greet the couple. “Good evening, you two!” Stevie started pulling out the bottles of gin and tonic, pouring two glasses for the couple. “How was your granddaughter’s ballet recital this afternoon? Was it as beautiful as you expected?”
Janus watched, amazed at how the elderly couple glowed with happiness at being asked about their grandkids. They even brought out pictures, showing them to Stevie who gave the appropriate amount of oohs and ahhs. She really was amazing, he thought, not for the first time. She knew the customers, their drink preferences, as well as their significant family events? What an amazing woman! It wasn’t fake either. She genuinely cared for them.
That night, when he brought her back to her place again after closing, he took his time making love to her. Last night, they’d been frantic. Tonight was different. As soon as she closed the apartment door behind them, he scooped her into his arms and…kissed her long and slowly, carried her to her bedroom. When he laid her down on the mattress, she sighed dreamily up at him, already pulling her clothes off.
“No, stop!” he urged.
She paused, and frowned quizzically up at him.
He reached behind his head and pulled his shirt off, dumping it on the floor. He leaned over and kissed her again. “I want to do that,” he whispered against her lips. “You’re like a present that I want to unwrap slowly, all the better to savor the anticipation.”
She gasped as he slid a hand underneath her shirt. “Right. Present.” But she didn’t object. In fact, she started touching him. For several minutes, while he worked on the buttons of her shirt, he allowed her the touches. Enjoyed them! But then he started to enjoy them too much.
“Hands above your head, Stevie,” he ordered, his breathing ragged. She wore only a plain, tan bra and he wanted to rip it off. Stevie deserved satin and lace. He wanted to see her in one of those bras that had a jewel or something dangling between her breasts, taunting him.