I start to fall and everything slows down as my stomach turns over. I have time to imagine the clatter as I slam to the ground, the laughter, Marco’s anger that I’ve wasted the pizza. As if by a miraculous intervention warm hands catch the tops of my arms saving both me and the pizza from taking a dive.
I look up to thank my savior but the words die on my lips as I take in the tousled rich brown hair, the square jaw, and the deep chocolate eyes I could easily lose myself in. I swallow hard, dragging my eyes away hurriedly as I feel my cheeks turning red. My eyes move downwards of their own accord, taking in a black shirt covering huge pecs and abs of steel.
My stomach rolls again, but this time it’s nothing to do with me falling. It’s him. His hands are still on me and I can feel him watching me. I look back up to his face and once more I am assaulted by his eyes.
“For God’s sake take the pizza to the damned customer,” Marco hisses in my ear.
The moment is broken and the man pulls his hands away from me, although he still holds my gaze with his own. I try to thank him, but my voice is gone and I just scurry away, thanking my lucky stars that the table is one of the ones in the patio area.
The cool night air washes over me as I go outside and I feel the flush in my cheeks start to die down. I deliver the pizza uneventfully and take a moment to just breathe in a few deep breaths. I steel myself for Marco’s tirade and head back inside.
A woman practically runs towards me when she sees me come back in. “I’m so sorry miss,” she says. “Are you ok?”
“I-I’m fine,” I say with no idea who she is or what’s going on.
She sees confusion written all over my face and she smiles sheepishly. “It was my bag you tripped over,” she explains.
“Oh,” I say, forcing a soft laugh. “Don’t worry about it. Really, I should have been watching where I was going.” I excuse myself as soon as I can without looking rude and make my way back towards the counter.
“Chef wants you to go and grab some ice from out back,” Sasha says as I approach.
I nod, glad for the chance to get off the floor and take a moment to compose myself. I’ve been here less than half an hour and my shift is already spiralling. I hurry out the back and I spot him again. The man who saved me. He’s talking to Marco and my heart sinks for a moment. Is he complaining about me?
I realize with a start the shirt he’s wearing isn’t any old black shirt. It’s one of ours. He must have started working here tonight. Great. So I have to see him every time I’m working now.
I’ve allowed myself to become distracted again, and as I walk, I kick a trash can, hurting my toes so badly I curse out loud before I can stop myself.
Marco and the hot guy both turn in my direction, but Marco might as well not be there. The guy’s eyes are on mine again, and I can see the lust in them. It’s like his eyes are burning through my clothes, stripping me naked.
I feel myself get wet at the thought of where his hands might go, where his tongue might go. I want to look away, but I can’t. I am getting flustered, my skin flushing again, my heart racing and my palms sweating. He winks at me, a wink that sends a shiver through my body, and then he breaks eye contact and I can move again, think again.
“Callie, get over here,” Marco shouts.
Oh, wonderful. Now he’s going to embarrass me in front of the hot guy. Reluctantly, I head over. “Chef needs some ice,” I explain.
“Chef can wait a moment,” Marco says. “I want to introduce you to Matt. He’s just transferred here from another branch. I want you to show him around, make him feel welcome. If that’s not too much trouble.” He walks away without another word.
I shake my head. “Asshole,” I mutter under my breath.
“I hope you mean him and not me.” Matt grins.
I nod, confirming it to be the case, but I’m not so sure I’m not talking about both of them. Matt is hot and there’s no denying the effect he has on me, but no one should be this cool and arrogant on their first night in a new job.
Something tells me Matt is going to be trouble and I vow then and there that I will keep my distance from him. I’ll show him the ropes, but that’s it. I’ll be cool and professional and leave it at that. I can do that. I can.
Chapter Two
Matt
“The break room and restroom is that way, and as you know the restaurant floor is that way,” Callie says, pointing first one way and then the other.
I nod, watching her with amusement as she tries and fails to keep her eyes off my chest. I guess I’m not one to talk. From the moment she fell into my arms, I knew there was something special about her.
For starters, she’s beautiful. Her eyes are a stunning, vivid green, the color of emeralds. Her skin is flawless and I want to reach out and run my fingers down her cheek. Her long gold-brown hair is pulled back into a high ponytail, but I can see how long it is and I can’t help but imagine her pulling it loose, imagine myself pushing my hands into it, pulling her closer
