Chained (12 page)

I sighed, walked in, and made my way to the back of the bar. As I was hanging my coat up, I felt a hand caress my neck.

“Hey, beautiful. I see you’re dressed to impress again.” I turned around with a smile. “And who’s the guy who’s put that smile on your face? It couldn’t have been that man I saw kissing your cheek. He must have been your dad or something.”

I slapped his hand. “Stop being rude, Charlie. He’s not old enough to me my dad. He just looks older because of his beard and stuff.”

Charlie laughed. “Beard and stuff, ha? If I knew that was all it took to get to kiss your cheek like that, I would have started growing a beard weeks ago.” He smiled playfully and I couldn’t help but smile back. “Anyway, who is he?”

I shrugged. “He’s just some guy I met a while ago.”

Charlie’s eyes widened. “A while ago? How come I’m only seeing him now?”

“Because we’ve only just started getting to know each other now. He took care of me whilst I was sick.”

Charlie stepped back a bit. “What? He stayed with you? In your house?”

I chuckled. “Yes.”

“So you’ve slept with him?”

I shuffled my feet. “No, it’s not like that. Well, not yet anyway. He’s been sweet, gentle, and kind to me. He’s not trying to get into my pants like
some
people.” I glared him and he winced, stepping back.

“Ouch. Point taken, Olivia.” He smiled a little and came forward to pick up a lock of my hair. “I can’t help it if you’re so attractive that I want to scoop you in my arms and hold you there forever.”

I stood there, watching his reaction for a moment. I didn’t know whether he was taking the piss or not. Finally, I laughed.

“What?” he asked, frowning.

“Nice try,” I said, pushing him out of my way so I could walk into the bar area. “You almost had me fooled there.”

I turned, placing my hand on the bar. It was busy, but not overly so. It looked as though everyone was catered to…for now.

“What are you talking about?”

I looked up at Charlie’s confused expression. “You, Charlie. You’re always flirting with me and being suggestive. You’ve never
once
come out with anything as sweet as you did just then.”

Charlie shrugged and walked off. “It’s not my fault the girl of my dreams never notices me.”

I stood there, wondering what on earth he was playing at. When he never turned to wink at me or laugh in my direction, I was shocked even more. A customer came up to him at the bar and ordered a drink. I was so engrossed in watching him, I didn’t even notice that someone was at the bar calling my name until I heard a tap of knuckles.

I turned, saw one of our regulars, Ben, and smiled. “I’m so sorry, Ben. I’m in a world of my own. What can I get you?”

*****

Two hours went by, but it felt like ten. My feet were killing me, and I could almost swear my fever was coming back. I felt totally and utterly exhausted and thanked the heavens above when the bar got a little quieter and I was actually able to rest.

I was leaning over the bar, head in my hands, when I felt a pair of hands rubbing my shoulders. I knew it was Charlie, and I knew he was just trying to help, but it was feeling way too good and just what I felt I needed right now.

“You’re so tense, Olivia. You need to learn to relax a little.”

I moaned a little when he hit a spot that sent tingles down my spine.

“Fucking hell, Olivia. You’re killing me.”

Turning around, I faced him. “Do you ever know when to stop? And here I was, thinking you were just being nice.”

Charlie feigned a hurt look. “I am. You just moaned and it…” He fidgeted a little. “It does things to me.” He looked at my unamused expression and his eyes widened. “What? I’m just a man, Olivia. I can’t help it if I find you the sexiest thing alive.”

I smiled. “Yeah, me and who else?” Suddenly, the room spun a little and I was a little unsteady on my feet.

Charlie immediately caught me. “Whoa. Are you all right?” I nodded, but he didn’t look happy. He looked around the bar. “Ben, will you cover for me for ten minutes?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m obviously not over this virus just yet.”

Charlie didn’t say anything, and I heard Ben shout out that it was okay. He came around the bar. “Olivia, are you all right? You look pale.”

I nodded with a smile. “I’m fine. I’m just getting over something.”

Charlie motioned out back. “I’m just going to take her to my office and get her a hot drink. I’ll be as quick as I can.”

Ben smiled. “No problem. I’ll take care of out here for as long as you need.”

Charlie patted his back. “Thanks, man. It will mean a drink on me.”

Ben smiled brightly. “Now you’re talking!” He clapped his hands together, looking as eager as ever to get to work. Some people would do just about anything for a drink. I knew that all too well. That was part of the reason I chose to work there. I felt it would be good for me to put temptation in my way and not want it all the time. A strange way of looking at it, but it did help... apart from when people ordered Jack Daniels, of course.

Charlie virtually carried me into his office and set me down on his sofa. “I’ll be back in a minute. Will you be okay?”

I nodded with a smile. “Yeah. And thanks, Charlie.”

Charlie beamed back. “Anything for you, Olivia. You know that.”

He left and I lay on the sofa, wondering what on earth had gotten into him. He had been so suggestive at times, it sometimes bordered on porn coming out of his mouth. What had changed? I lay there, thinking on this for a while. The only thing I could think of was his reaction to Kit tonight. Charlie had never seen me with a man before, so I didn’t know whether his sudden change in temperament was in relation to that or something else. It seemed too much of a coincidence, though.

I was still thinking on this when Charlie came back in with a warm cup of tea. “I could have gotten you something stronger, but I’ve never actually seen you drink.”

I scooted myself up into a sitting position, noting that I was already feeling a lot better. “A cup of tea is fine. Thank you. It’s been a while since I touched the stronger stuff.”

Charlie sat down at the edge of the sofa and handed me the cup. “Is there a reason for that? You always ask me to take over whenever someone orders Jack.”

I stiffened and blew on the hot tea before taking a sip. It was just what I needed. “I guess I never really handled drink very well.”

That was partly true, but another reason was because I lived on the stuff after I found out my mum had cancer. Seeing my father lying dead on the ground was bad enough, but I think I was probably just numb for a while. It was my mum telling me she had cancer that triggered something. It just seemed that, from then on, if there was something I didn’t like, I would turn to the bottle. And I just kept turning to it.

Charlie felt my head. “You feel a little clammy, but your cheeks are flushing a nice shade of red now.”

I took another sip. “I feel much better.” I grabbed his arm and squeezed it. “Thanks for looking after me.”

Charlie smiled and the little dimple I used to get flustered over surfaced. I had always been attracted to Charlie, just not to his parade of women. It soon turned me off.

“You’re welcome.” He sighed and looked away a moment. “I actually feel kind of guilty now.”

I looked up with a frown. “Why?”

“Because I made you come in tonight when you’re obviously still not feeling well.”

I smiled and tightened my hold on his arm. “Don’t be silly. I’m fine. I just think it’s knocked the wind out of me a little. I’m feeling right as rain now that I’ve had a little rest.” He looked as though he was having trouble with something. He was biting his lip and making a fist. “Are you okay?”

Charlie turned to me and nodded with a soothing smile. “Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just tomorrow…” He stopped a moment.

“What?”

He sighed. “Tomorrow, I have a hen party booked until twelve. I’m thinking I’m going to be pretty busy until then.”

I immediately knew what was wrong. “You need me to come in.”

Charlie shook his head. “I feel like a total shit because you’re obviously still trying to get over this thing.”

I rubbed his arm. “Charlie, it’s fine. I can do it.”

“Are you sure? I might be able to get Sue–”

“Charlie, it’s okay. Besides, Sue’s only supposed to be part-time, as well. With me being ill these past few days, she’s probably been working non-stop.”

Charlie looked at me for a moment. “Well, only if you’re sure…”

I smiled. “I’m sure.” I made a move to get up and Charlie held his hand out to me. I took it and he lifted me with ease.

“Are you sure you’re okay to go back out?”

I nodded. “I’m sure, as long as I get to keep my cup of tea.” I winked at him and he smiled.

“Shall I add a chocolate biscuit to that?”

I made a face that I can only describe as heavenly. “Oh, Charlie. Now you’re just spoiling me.”

Charlie laughed and we both left, me towards the bar and Charlie toward the kitchen. When I came out, I saw Ben serving someone.

“Thanks, Ben. You’ve been great.”

Ben took the guy’s money and took my elbow. “Are you feeling better?”

I nodded. “Yeah, much better now that I’ve got my cup of tea.”

“And don’t forget the chocolate biscuit.” Charlie’s hand appeared over my shoulder.

I took the biscuit and turned to him. “Thank you.” I smiled.

“You have a keeper there.” Ben winked at me and I almost rolled my eyes. Charlie being sweet was completely new to me.

I turned to Charlie and, sure enough, he was beaming. “What can I get you, Ben?” Charlie winked across at me, making me laugh.

I shook my head and got back to work, feeling much better now that I had a rest and a warm drink. It had actually made time pass a lot quicker than I thought. It was only when Sue walked in that I realised it was well after ten o’clock.

She smiled up at me, her breath coming away in gasps. Poor girl must have practically ran here. “Thanks, Olivia.”

I shook my head with a smile. “Don’t mention it. You’ve been doing a lot for me the last few days.”

I watched her walk through the back and followed her. “How are you feeling now?” she shouted as she took her coat off and placed her bag down.

“I’m fine now, thank you. Still feeling a little out of sorts, but much better than what I was.” It was then I remembered where she’s been. “Did your mother get to the airport okay?”

She nodded and we walked back to the bar. “Yeah. She’ll be headed back to Spain by now. I must go and visit soon. I could do with a week of just relaxing by the pool and reading.”

I sighed, thinking how heavenly that sounded. “Wow, I don’t know why you’re not there already.”

We both giggled and that’s when Charlie appeared. “Everything go all right, Sue? Did your mother get off okay?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Thanks, Charlie. Will you still be needing me tomorrow?”

Charlie looked over at me and I shook my head. He smiled back at her. “No. I think Olivia and I are all set. You get some rest tomorrow.”

She nodded. “Well, I better get started then.” We watched as Sue walked towards a lady at the bar.

Charlie sighed and looked at me. “I suppose that’s your cue to go. Until tomorrow, of course.” We both chuckled. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He reached out his hand and gently pushed a lock of my auburn hair away from my face. He smiled tenderly towards me and I smiled back, but then the sound of the bar door opening and closing had me on high alert.

Both Charlie and I looked over and found Kit standing there with the most heated look I’d ever seen on his face. I mean, I had seen those kinds of looks time and time again on him, but not like this. He was virtually throwing daggers at Charlie. I almost cowered on his behalf.

I bit my lip and turned to Charlie. “Umm… I best get going. Thanks for everything tonight.”

Charlie kept looking at Kit, then turned his head towards me with a smile. “Don’t mention it,
sweetheart
.” I noticed that Charlie had emphasised the word sweetheart a little too much. It was loud enough for practically the whole bar to hear.

I walked to the back and grabbed my things, Charlie helping me with my coat. Once out in the bar area again, he kissed me on the cheek, probably for Kit’s sake, and smiled sweetly. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Olivia. Thanks for tonight.”

I could have almost rolled my eyes. The pissing contest between Kit’s angered stares and Charlie’s not so subtle remarks would have been laughable if they both weren’t so bloody serious.

As I walked towards Kit, I noticed he never took his eyes off Charlie. It was only when I got nearer to him that he finally settled his eyes on me. “Hi, Kit. Are you okay?” I already knew the answer to that, but I needed him to tell me himself. It would seem the man of very few words was still around.