The Four Stages of Loving Dutch Owen - Debra Kayn Page 0,61

going on at Table Four."

She glanced across the room, surprised to find Dutch heading toward the pool table with a cue stick in his hand. But then again, he never played when she was around because he stayed with her.

Exhaling slowly, she willed herself not to be jealous of him hanging around the men. She bit the inside of her cheek, looking for the regular women who hung out at the pool hall. They were always hooking up with the bikers. Not one of them better think of touching him around her.

"No worries." She walked around Rubble and stopped at the end of the counter. "I'll make sure the drinks keep flowing. Where do you need me?"

"Go ahead and check the ketchup bottles." Rubble moved away from her. "I'll carry the racks in."

The pool hall opened at five o'clock every evening, while she started at six o'clock. That gave her and Rubble time to get things moving by the time the crowd arrived around eight-ish. From then on, she normally stayed busy, barely getting a moment to stand still.

Tonight, she needed the distraction.

Gathering four new bottles from underneath the counter, she worked from one end of the bar to the other. The condiments stayed off the tables. If the customers wanted one, they usually grabbed one as needed. That way, the tables were easier to clean throughout the night.

Tyler walked toward her and leaned against the counter. "Have you seen Piston?"

She made a quick sweep of the room. "No, but I haven't been here long. Have you checked with Rubble?"

"Not yet." Tyler took an envelope out of his back pocket. "I need to take off. Can you do me a favor and give this to him when he shows up?"

"Sure." She took the packet. "I'll put it in the register until I see him. If he doesn't show up, you'll know where it's at."

"Thanks, doll." Tyler knocked on the counter before he left.

She went to the cash register and slid the envelope under the drawer for safekeeping, then went and checked the napkin dispensers.

"Beer!"

She gazed across the room and found Shifter raising his hand. Grabbing a cold Coors out of the fridge, she popped the cap and took his drink to him. Most of the customers had their preference for what they liked to drink. She tried to cater to them. The extra attention she gave was returned to her in the form of bigger tips.

Walking past Dutch, she focused on Shifter. "Here you go."

He grunted his thanks. "Keep them coming, sweetheart."

All men tended to drink more if they were losing. Though she suspected if they concentrated on the game and not the beer, they'd do better.

"Sure thing." She scurried out of his way.

Dutch stepped into her path. She lifted her chin. "Do you need a drink?"

"Already got one." He held a beer in his hand. "I want you."

"I'm not yours, Du—"

He cupped the back of her neck and captured her mouth. It wasn't a soft, passionate kiss like last night. He was claiming her in front of the men. His roughness reminded her of the way he'd kissed her at the prison, right before he told her to get out of his life.

She pushed against him, breaking the kiss. His smirk poured salt into her wounds. He knew damn well what he was doing, and after everything he'd put her through, he had no right.

Turning, she grabbed the closest biker standing near her and raised up on her tiptoes, and kissed him as passionately. Taken by surprise, Mike only stood there with his mouth open.

The clatter of balls clanking together ceased. She dropped back on her heels and strode toward the counter.

As she passed Rubble, he said, "Girl, you shouldn't have done that."

Turning toward her boss, she crossed her arms. "He can't kiss me whenever he wants. I don't belong to him."

"If you say so." Rubble lifted his chin, motioning across the room.

She looked back at Dutch and found him standing with Mike, his arm thrown around the other man's shoulders as if they were long-time friends. She wanted to smack him.

Did he have no feelings? How could he stand there watching her kiss another man?

Groaning, she turned her back to him and went and picked up the food waiting to be served. The longer she had to put up with Dutch being here, the angrier she became. By midnight, she was positive he was using her. He had no intention of getting back what they'd shared most of