Fire and Ice: Book One: Burned (The Fire and Ice Series 1) Read online

  Chapter Nine

  Kellan

  I could throttle Jim for hiring this wench, Georgia, as our newest employee. Why she has a bug up her ass against me, I have no idea. She treats Jim and Jordan respectfully, and acts like I'm some piece of shit. Yeah, we got off on the wrong foot, but she acts like she owns the place, and that shit just doesn't fly with me. I can't stand people who think they're better than me, much less some fly by night chick that will probably collect a couple of weeks worth of tips and breeze right back out of town, just like the rest of them. She's good though; I'll give her that. The guys are going crazy over her, and she's even getting double takes from some of the women. Hailey definitely has her work cut out for her. This isn't Georgia's first rodeo.

  Speaking of Piss Pants, I hear her voice coming from the back in a muffled tone, and a sudden excitement overtakes my senses. I haven't seen, nor heard from her for a few days, and something inside me feels...curious; about what she's been doing with her time while away from the bar. I'd had fleeting thoughts of her now and again, but pushed them aside. I had never given two shits about a woman before, unless it was while we were both getting it on, and even at that, I was usually more concerned about my own needs; and I wasn't about to start catching feelings now. Fuck that shit. That's the last thing I needed. Do they make a pill for that or something?

  At any rate, I await anxiously for her to make her way around the corner so I can catch a glimpse of tonight's outfit. I'm not too proud to admit, I'll most likely be raking my eyes over her luscious body at every opportunity I get. I am a man, after all, and I won't deny myself my carnal pleasures.

  As I watch Hailey round the corner, my mouth goes dry, and my dick begins to harden as she locks eyes with mine, neither of us seemingly knowing what to say to each other. We haven't spoken for days. Her outfit is hugging her body in all the right places, but right now, it's all I can do to keep my mind from picturing sliding it off of her, and ramming myself deep inside of her to the hilt.

  She finally breaks the awkward silence, managing to squeak out, "Hi, Kellan, how've you been," as she fiddles nervously with her apron.

  I forced myself to look away from her tantalizing form, answering, curtly, "Busy." If I didn't get away from her, I feared I might say or do something I would later regret. "I gotta get back to work," I stated, turning my back on her and walking away, the absence of having her near to me leaving an unfamiliar wanting in my gut.

  Something had shifted in the last week, since Hailey had walked into the bar that night. My life was becoming more complex, the people around me were changing, and my limits were being tested at every turn. I walked over to the jukebox and set it to play "Vicarious" by Tool. The tune was fitting, because at the moment, I felt like life was whirling past me, as those near me carried on daily, while I watched in a hazy fog, wondering how the fuck they did 'normal' while I meandered through life in a vicious cycle of hate and anger. I was cynical at best. As far as I was concerned, there was no such thing as a silver lining, or happy endings; just fleeting moments where strong dislike faded, and was replaced by a miniscule amount of lust or an adrenaline rush, orgasms, and the sweet pain of the tattoo gun piercing my skin. These were the only moments that brought me anywhere close to joy. Yet, the people around me experienced it regularly. I normally wouldn't give a rat's ass, but today, I find I'm beginning to envy it.

  ******

  Hailey

  As I'd thought, working a smaller section had turned out to be just as lucrative as chasing my tail all over the place the entire night. Georgia was proving to be a valuable asset, and just in time. We were especially busy tonight and I was already running out of steam; I wasn't even half way through my shift.

  I had kept my eye on Jordan and Georgia, and my earlier assessment had gotten the better of me, as I'd been watching them during my shift, only to find they'd been nothing but professional, keeping busy, and to themselves. I felt like a total ass. Seemingly, Jordan wasn't intent on paying any attention to Georgia; however, he hadn't so much as looked in my direction all night. Then again, as I said, we were slammed. The only attention I seemed to be gaining was from a few creepy customers, and a couple of intense gazes Kellan threw my way, but quickly ended. One minute I felt like we were the only two people in the room; the next, he left me feeling deserted and guilty for even holding out hope of feeling his skin against mine one more time.

  I had grossly misjudged how many shots I'd need for tonight...they were selling like hotcakes, and I was almost out of them. I only had enough for a few more, and then I'd have to go in the back and make another batch. I sighed to myself as the patrons shouted over the music to get my attention for more rounds. I briskly walked over to the nearest table, where a rowdy crowd of men shouted their orders. Hardly able to hear them over the familiar song Kellan seemed to choose to play often, "House Of The Rising Sun" by Five Finger Death Punch, I leaned in closer to get a better idea of what the men were saying. The men each called out, ordering several shots each, which left me needing to go refill my supply. A few of them groaned in protest, but I assured them I would be back in just a few moments, while I silently prayed they were all too drunk to notice how much time would pass while I was gone. More patrons cried out for refills, but I ignored their calls, turned on my heels, and quickly strode for the kitchen.

  Bursting through the doors, I quickly set to making my shots, not even aware momentarily that I'd taken on a helper. Kellan. He stilled my hand, and I looked up to his face, his gaze cold and unrelenting. He was the most duplicitous man I had ever met. His gesture, the feel of his hand against mine spoke of kindness and warmth; yet his eyes were unforgiving, merciless. Damnit! What was his angle?

  He slowly dragged his fingers across my skin, letting his hand fall away from mine, his eyes never wavering, as he said, "Forget upselling for tonight." I cocked my head to the side and he walked to the refrigerator, opening it, and taking out handfuls of Jell-o shots in assorted flavors. He motioned his head toward the crowd and said, "They're half in the bag as it is, and will take whatever you have at this point."

  I lowered my head and smiled, replying, "Thanks, Kellan...you didn't have to..."

  He placed a finger under my chin and tipped my face to meet his own. "I wanted to," he breathed out. There was a pregnant pause as we became absorbed in one another. He almost looked pained to be in my presence. I furrowed my brow, marred by the confusing essence filling the air. He brushed my hair behind my shoulder, continuing in a shaky breath, "Do you have any idea what happens when I want something?" My eyes widened as I bit my bottom lip, causing him to inhale a sharp breath as he tipped his head back and let his eyes flutter shut. The sight of him standing in front of me, though his question remained cryptic, was intoxicating.

  I hadn't even heard the sound of the door, and nearly jumped out of my skin when Georgia's voice cut into the private world Kellan and I were lost to. "Sorry," she said politely. "Am I...interrupting?"

  I swung my head towards her as my cheeks heated, surely giving away my aroused state, before blurting out, "Um, no...Kellan was just helping me grab some more shots." Georgia raised a skeptical eyebrow as I continued nervously, "I, uh...ran out." I held out one of the small plastic cups, hoping to cover my tracks, but doubted she bought my story, as a sly grin creased her face. Looking to Kellan for back up, he simply gave me a sharp, pointed look before turning and brushing past me without so much as a word, leaving me with my mouth hanging open.

  Georgia stepped a bit closer to me, placed her hand on her hip, and looked around the kitchen, as if she were making sure we were alone. She jutted her head in the direction of the bar, and asked, "You two seeing each other?"

  My heart rate spiked as I stuttered out, "What? I would never...no way! He's a total...well you've seen how he acts," my voice trailed off as I waved my hands in the air animatedly.

  She rolled her eyes and shook her head back and forth, her perfectly coiffed, and platinum blond hair swinging with he
r movement. She gave me a disapproving look, pointed her finger at me, and said, "One thing I can't tolerate is a liar." I was instantly taken aback at not only her bluntness, but also that she'd pegged me despite my protests. She went on, chastising me as if I were a child. "I'm not blind, Hailey, but apparently you are. I've known you all of a couple hours and I can see Casanova has you twisted." Shit. She was right on the money. "I've also seen his kind dozens of times, and he's only after one thing, honey. Now, you look like a smart girl, and I get it...he makes you feel like you're the only woman that matters in the world. But, girl...that's his game. He uses that to get all of them, trust me."

  Georgia sauntered out of the kitchen, leaving me with my head in a fog. She had nailed every emotion I was carrying around inside of myself, and if she were right about Kellan, I would only be another notch on his bedpost. How did he have the ability to make me doubt myself, my own instincts? Was he really that good at being so malicious? When we were alone, it seemed as if the world fell away, and I thought he felt it too. Kellan was like a potion I had been poisoned with, and I didn't want the spell to be broken. I wasn't sure I had the willpower to break myself of my addiction to him.

  ******

  Kellan

  I hung back and heard every fucking word that bitch was poisoning Hailey's mind with. As she stepped through the kitchen doors, I grasped her upper arm and swung her around to face me, my nose just a fraction of an inch from her own. I gritted my teeth as I ground out, "You fucking cunt...you don't know a goddamn thing about me. What goes on between me and her...that's our fucking business, you got it?"

  I shoved her away from me and she stumbled back a step, fury gathering on her face before she stalked towards me and boldly spewed, "You little shit! She's nothing more than a piece of ass to you, you self-righteous prick. You can have your pick of the litter, and you can't help yourself, can you? She's nothing more than a conquest for you."

  I was seething inside at the mention of Hailey being nothing to me, as if she were a piece of meat...nothing more than these assholes she was slinging drinks for were looking at her like. But the heartless bastard inside of me wasn't about to take it on the chin and let it go; especially from this sanctimonious twat. "You know what, Georgia...fuck you!" There was an awkward silence for a moment before I stepped back in, nowhere near ready to relinquish this fight; I was revved up and she was about to see the shit end of my stick. I huffed out a small laugh, as I looked to the side, then back to her...her face marred with confusion. Stepping closer to her, I reached up and smoothed my fingers through a few strands of her hair as a sneer creased my lips. "What's up Georgia? Jealous of Hailey? You wanna take a walk on the wild side?"

  Georgia tried to back away from me, but I was only getting started. I grabbed her by the waist, pulling her in close, as she protested by shoving against my chest. She was only a few inches shy of me, but I overpowered her with ease. Grabbing her neck with my free hand, I brought her lips to mine and whispered harshly against them, "C'mon, Georgia...I'll be the best fuck you ever had." My hand slid to her ass as I slapped it hard, eliciting a gasp from her, while simultaneously, Hailey walked out of the kitchen with fire in her eyes and rushed past the both of us.

  I loosened my grip on Georgia, the playfulness having been sucked from my gut, and she shoved off of me, as I dropped my hands and backed away, looking behind myself towards Hailey. She'd disappeared into the crowd. I gave Georgia a look of acquiescence, as she growled, "You stupid fuck! I don't even play for your team, you dumb bastard."

  She brushed past me, bumping my shoulder hard as the hallway seemed to narrow around me, my lungs feeling as if they couldn't catch enough air. Christ, I'd really fucked up this time.

  Chapter Ten

  Hailey

  Here I'd been worrying that Georgia and Jordan had been fooling around, when all along, she had been trying to sink her teeth into Kellan behind my back. As I briskly walked through the throngs of patrons, barely registering their calls for orders, I half laughed at the irony of her warning me off from Kellan. Now I knew why; she only wanted him for herself, and it for damn sure didn't look like he was putting up a fight. Why would he? What do I have to offer that she doesn't? Georgia is sexy and confident, earning stares from every guy in the room. She probably had Kellan wrapped around her little finger from the moment he laid eyes on her...laid being the operative word. I can only imagine how many times they've...

  I was suddenly broken out of my self-induced spell, as I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. Quickly turning, I was met with concerned filled eyes. Jordan. "Hey, are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost." I tried to hold back the tears stinging my eyes, threatening to spill over, as I shrugged my shoulders. Jordan furrowed his brow and dipped his head to peer into my eyes, only making matters worse. I turned my head as a tear escaped, and swiped it away, hoping Jordan wouldn't catch on. No such luck. He grabbed me by the shoulders, turning me to face him, as he said, "Jesus, Hailey...what's going on? And don't tell me 'nothing'."

  I threw up my hands as I peered into his worried eyes, just as a customer next to us barked out lasciviously, "Hey, honey...you gonna stand there all night, or shake that pretty little ass and serve us some shots?"

  I gasped, and Jordan slowly turned to face the man, his jaw and fists clenched, as he stared the man down. The guy, along with his friends at his table, merely chuckled, fueling Jordan's rage, as he began to step towards the table. I placed my hand on Jordan's arm, in an effort to halt him...I knew where this was leading, and I'd had enough drama for one night. Jordan stopped short and looked down at my hand, then up to my pleading eyes, before taking a step back, loosening his hands, and softening his expression. Jordan was nothing, if not reasonable...a trait I admired in him.

  The obnoxious man leaned back in his chair, calling out, "Hey look, fellas...she has her little boyfriend pussy whipped." The crowd of men began to laugh loudly, and I tightened my grip on Jordan's arm, keeping his eyes focused on mine, as I shook my head back and forth, signaling for him not to pay attention to them, and to walk away.

  Jordan took a deep breath before leaning down to whisper into my ear, "You sure you're ok?" His hot breath sent a shiver through me, and in that moment, I felt safe, even though he was walking away. I knew I could count on him. I couldn't say the same for Kellan. I would never be able to trust Kellan, plain and simple. There was no denying when Kellan and I were in a room together sparks flew. And as much as my body ached for him, and if I were being honest, my heart was starting to follow...he'd only leave me on the floor in pieces. I could see Jordan genuinely cared for me, and that's what I needed in my life right now.

  ******

  Kellan

  I shook myself out of my stupor, and booked it down the hallway, wanting to get to Hailey before Georgia had a chance to put her two cents in...which would probably be more like ten cents, and make me out to be a lying, cheating, sonofabitch. Hailey couldn't have walked in on Georgia and me at a worse time. I had to get to her and explain...she needed to know the truth. Maybe Georgia has a girlfriend, and we can call her to...you know...verify Georgia doesn't even swing that way. I was getting desperate, my mind filling with scenarios of how terribly wrong this situation had gone from the start, and how much worse it really could get. If Hailey didn't take my word as bond, she would most likely never trust me again, no matter how many people I got to vouch for me about the fact that I never lie.

  As I scanned the bar, I easily picked out Georgia, as she was taller than most of the people in the bar, and stood out like a sore thumb. I was ready to pounce on her, but noticed Hailey wasn't with her; Georgia was swamped working her section, no doubt since she'd been gone for a while, stuck in the middle of the triangle between herself, Hailey, and me.

  I looked around the bar feverishly trying to locate Hailey, and found her standing next to Jordan. For a fleeting moment, the look that passed between them seemed almost intimate. My imagination began to run wild, and a pang of jealo
usy overtook me. Jordan began to walk away from her, and suddenly, Hailey was no longer my target. In a few short strides, I was in front of Jordan, and I was in desperate need of answers.

  Expressing incredulity, and seeking out Hailey's pale blue eyes, I snapped out, "What's with you two?"

  Jordan looked back over his shoulder, as we both joined eyes with Hailey, before he met mine again. "What?" he shrugged.

  "Don't give me that shit, Jord. I wanna know what's going on...now, goddamnit!"

  Jordan sighed and ran his hand through his hair as he looked around the bar. "Kellan...it's packed. Can we talk about this later?"

  "So apparently there is something going on." We were starting to garner stares. I didn't give a fuck. I caught Georgia's concerned expression out of the corner of my eye, and now felt like there was a conspiracy against me. What in the fucking fuck is going on here? So, what?...Did Jordan and Piss Pants have a thing, and Beaver Feeder was trying to keep it a secret from me? Christ on a cracker! This is exactly why I don't even want to deal with people. I fucking trusted Jordan for nearly half of my life, and he fucking goes behind my back and screws the girl I...