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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 18:48:47 GMT -5
Daisy ran a few fingers through her hair, working out some tangles as she headed towards the bar. It had taken Mike weeks to convince her that this vacation was necessary, another two of her dragging her feet before she'd finally buckled under the pressure. She knew the pubs would be fine in his capable hands, there was little doubt in her mind that the vice president of her company could handle the daily day to day functions with no help. Hell, he'd been there from the first moment, building everything with her.
So here she was, months in a resort on the Fiji Islands and she had spent her first full day of vacation...napping. When she'd awoken to find the sun sinking low in the sky, the amber hues dancing low through her window she'd groan. A fine way to start your vacation...she thought to herself. So she had taken a quick shower, slipped on a white cotton skirt and teal tanktop and ventured out onto the grounds of the resort. The evening had melted into night and the air was balmy beneath the moon and stars above her.
Weaving her way over to the bar, she settled on one of the stools and bit her lower lips as she waited for the bartender to get a free moment.
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 19:19:48 GMT -5
West was working, as always. He needed the money and picked up all the hours he could take. It was about the only job he would tolerate, besides he had a bartending degree. Sure hed gotten it online, but why did he need to go back to school anyway. He had gone to college for 3 years before dropping out, sure it waas a little late and he should have just waited to graduate, but he wasnt happy. Besides with all the stuff that had happened in his life, he didnt have time for school.
He was good at the bar and quick. He and the other guy that was usually there, would even put shows on at times, though tonight he was flying solo. Max had called in, claiming he was sick though West knew where he was really at. He and that 'dancer' hed met the other night were probably out doing god knows what, not that West cared, he enjoyed doing the bar himself.
He looked around, the place was well lite up and there were lights all along the pools as well. The bar had lights around it as well, hell it looked just like a tiki bar, though they didnt like calling it that here. The place was too fancy to go so lowly as to name it something like that. West didnt see why it mattered it wasnt a bad thing.
He handed out another drink as he turned, spotting a new face. A pretty one at that, and she seemed to be alone. The majority of the people here were either the older gents, or the couples that were having a few drinks before heading over to the late show. He headed over to the left corner, grabbing a towel and wiping off the counter in front of her, before placing a drink coaster in front of her, "What can I get you?"he asked, raising a brow as he waited for her request.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 19:27:57 GMT -5
"Pina Colada, please?" Daisy requested, the irish accent that had never left her voice entirely, hitching slightly as she looked up and stumbled into endless dark eyes. The man behind the bar was handsome, no that was too kind a word, he was sexy. Those smolder eyes that topped perfectly carved features on lips that quirked upward in a slight, expectant smile as he watched her. Subconsciously she licked her lips, dropping her gaze to play with the edge of her skirt.
She felt silly being here alone. Surrounded by honeymooning couples and elderly people celebrating years of their lives spent together...and her. Alone and feeling slightly out of place in the opulence of the resort. She'd been out of place before, when she'd first arrived in the States, she survived it then, she could survive it now. Lifting her blue eyes she flashed a smile at the bartender, "If it isn't too much trouble."
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 19:37:37 GMT -5
He gave a quick study of her, so not to make it obvious. She was beautiful, with wavy hair that he wanted to run his fingers through just to see if it was as soft as it looked, and blue eyes that showed so much and didnt give everything away. His lips curved up a bit more as she asked for a pina colada. "no trouble at all. Its what Im here for... "his voice was a deep dark husky tone, yet soothing at the same time.
Turning he grabbed a glass throwing some ice in it. As he made her drink he looked up to make sure no one else needed anything, or to see if there was anyone new. He didnt see either. He turned putting one of those mini umbrellas in it before setting it in front of her. "There you go miss"he said, it was an open bar. The people payed up the ass to live here, not that it was much of a dent in their wealth, but the bar was open.
It wasnt always good, a lot of people would spend their vacation at the bar, because it was guarenteed open, but that was okay. THey had to pay for other things so it didnt matter. The resort made so much money as it is, that they were able to keep the stock of alcohol up as well as afford to keep it open and run the rest of the place. He was surprised when he found out it was open, considering how cheap the people were that owned the place, but he wasnt going to argue. It was always good cause it meant bigger tips for him since they didnt have to pay for the drinks.
He spotted someone and walked over getting them a refill before coming back over, he couldnt help it, her accent was catching and he wanted to hear it again. Another good thing about this job, always got a taste of the exotic. "Dublin?"he guessed, wondering if that was right. He liked to try and guess where people were from when they had accents. He was right sometimes.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 19:44:17 GMT -5
Daisy sipped on her drink, pleased by the coconut flavor that lingered as she watched him move to the other side of the bar. She admired him for a moment, the graceful and easy movements of his muscular body as he drifted about the bar, it was hard to tear her eyes away, but she did. Turning to glance out over the water, and breath in the ocean air. She hadn't spent as much time by the sea as she'd have liked, her childhood contact limited to one seashore visit. Lately her business had been keeping her to busy for time bye the water and she realized she missed it.
He surprised her with his question, but she only smiled softly in return, nodding slightly. "Aye. Been in the States for close to four years and yet the accent still lingers." She shrugged slightly, tracing a design onto the wood of the bar beneath her fingers. There were worst ways to spend an evening than talking to an attractive bartender.
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 20:08:01 GMT -5
He smirked when she said yes. "Four years eh? Well I would say your accent is at its best"he nodded. It was true, it wasnt full fledged irish, which full accents usually werent as sexy as partial ones. And she wasnt fully american either, she had that lilt that was just...sexy. Then again if he wanted he could put his itailian lilt into his voice. He hadnt talked itailian in quite some time.
It was just another thing about him that was hidden, then again he had the dark complexion of one, but now adays that didnt mean a thing. Not unless you said, 'hey im an itailian' did you really get put in any kind of classification. "So are you wealthy by fame? Fortune? Or mishap?... or actual long hard labor?"his voice had deepened at the last thing as if it was something that didnt exist. Which for the most part was true around here.
He would be lying if he said he wasnt interested in this woman, cause honestly he was. The fact was, she was obviously wealthy, being able to afford living here, and she didnt look too old, mid 20's hed guess. And either she was married or something, but a beautiful woman like that, being here by herself. Well that just didnt seem right. He was quiet curious to find out more about her, whether she would tell him the truth or not, he wouldnt know unless he payed attention. He was pretty good at gauging liars, hell he was a master at it when he wanted to be. HE had learned from the best.... his father.
The good thing about these types of places, is that you either had the regulars or you had the faces that changed every year. You could live a new life each time and no one would care or even remeber. And if something went wrong you could always start fresh next year with new people. The older women, and not talking in their 70s but like .. late 30's early 40's, they didnt care what your story was, they woudl go along with it, just because they were getting the attention of someone new and young. It made them feel good about themselves, that they were still desireable by younger guys, even if they were married.
West wouldnt deny the fact hed had a few tumbles with married women and been payed to keep quiet. Even if people viewed him as a man whore for it, whatever. He had been quite young at the time and needed the money anyway. Besides, hed been looking for his brother and who turned down one night stands with beautiful women who gave you money instead of the other way around.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 20:16:02 GMT -5
"Thank you..." Daisy said, a little caught off-guard by the compliment but she smiled at him, her eye lighting. It was nice to talk to someone and have it not involve food sales or orders. To just look at another person and not wonder if he was underestimating her ability because she was a young woman and foreign.
She tilted her head to the side at his question, considering her answer for a moment. "A lot of hard work to be sure," Daisy decided, her eyes studying him intently, sensing the challenge in the off-handed way he'd listed the option. "I own 'Irish Eyes', it's a chain of pubs located in major cities in the United States. I built it from the ground up, put me own blood, sweat and tears into each of them. I worked hard for what I have..." She realized that she was being more adamant then she had originally intended but she hadn't appreciated the veiled disbelief in his question. That someone could get to be of her means by using their own hands and the brain they were given.
"Though I suppose it might a little bit of luck too, no?" She lightened her tone, smiling at him again as she took a long sip of her drink, finishing it and tapping her slender fingers against the glass. "Irish luck..."
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 20:38:50 GMT -5
She had a nice smile. West liked that. It wasnt fake either, which was another good thing. He inwardly grinned as he saw the glint in her eye, he had hit something by his question, though he nodded, impressed by her answer. "Yes...'He said, "I think ive been to one of them before. Do you have one in New York by chance?"he asked. "So did you just make them or do you actually work in one of them?"he asked.
"heh.. luck. Yeah Must have been"He gave her a wink before holding his hand up to stop her as he went to answer another refill. Three of the customers had left, leaving behind some generous tips. West collected them as he wiped the places down, putting the money in his pocket. A group of four came up taking spots and he got them all drinks. They were younger, fresh of the drinking age and a bit loud. West hated that, but it was buisness.
Finally after getting everyone refreshed he made his way back over to daisy, throwing the towel over his shoulder and leaning his hip against the counter, crossing his strong arms over his broad chest as he gave her an expected look in those deep brown eyes of his. "Okay... go on"he said, resuming their conversation.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 20:50:43 GMT -5
Daisy tried to ignore the boisterous group that had just approached the bar and focus her attention on the man who had asked her the question. He seemed genuinely interested for whatever reason and it pleased her, he wasn't looking down his nose at her, his eyes were steady and serious as he watched her.
She dropped her eyes for a moment, unable to stop herself from admiring the way the muscles in his arms rippled as he crossed them over his chest. She bit her lip and then pushed her glass towards him, hoping he'd get her another drink as she spoke. "I started out working in my first one, the one in Chicago. Did a lot of the cooking, waitressing if I had too. Anything to get it off the ground."
Shifting on the stool she lifted a hand and tucked errants strands of hair behind her ear as she continued. "Then when I started to open restaurants elsewhere I picked up and traveled, started overseeing the construction and all the details. My second one was in New York, in a small neighborhood in Brooklyn..." She smiled at him then, blue eyes finding dark, lingering for a moment. "Now I'm mostly stuck with paperwork and details. I have an office in Chicago...but I still stop in when I can...I still like getting my hands dirty."
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 21:07:10 GMT -5
He nodded as she talked, listening to everything she had to say. "From what I remember, the food there was top notch without being too expensive."he said, though that hadnt been a problem when his parents had been alive. His dad had made quite a bit of money that he had made their mother stay at home instead of working. Of course the money that had been left to them, had been quickly spent on travel when he was searching for his father.
He gave a slight chuckle at her last comment. "Work hard with no play, now thats just not right... At least you like to get your hands dirty after getting the money."He said, and nodded to a middle aged couple. At least they looked like they were a couple. "See that guy "he said leaning towards her as he lowered his voice so only she could hear. "Pressed suit, suave hair cut, with even suaver moves. He was trying to build a buisness with his own two hands.. then lady luck decided to drop a load on him."
"His grandma died and he found out she was actually living on a mound of wealth, a week after that he won the lottery"he grunted. "He had enough money to build it and then some. After hiring people to do it for him, he hasnt even stepped foot into one of his stores since, now he comes here to spend his time, sending his wife off to shows while he plays up any available woman that looks his way"
He straightened up again, "So.."he said, "Its not often you hear someone say what you just told me. Your one of a kind" He smirked.
Impressed, ... Thats what he was, though he didnt show it. Not many entreprenuers around here. She definatly didnt fit the scene of this place. She didnt seem stuck up at all, she had money but she didnt exude it. He leaned in again tilting his head a bit, "So... answer me something. Whats a girl like you doing in a place like this?'he asked flicking his head a bit in guesture to the resort. "You just dont seem to fit the profile of someone that usually comes to stay here."
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 21:18:41 GMT -5
Daisy studied the couple he indicated, catching the scent of him as he leaned closer. Spicy cologne mixed with the musty smell of man that made her insides tingle. She shook her head in dismay at the story, tilting her head to look at him. "What's the point in building something of you don't love it?" She didn't understand it. Her pubs were her lifeblood, the source of joy in her life, she had pride in what she did and his compliments about her New York establishment pleased her.
She sobered slightly at his second question, wishing she had some well-qualified answer for him, but knew she didn't. The downside to her driven life, was that she didn't have time for companionship, for the company of a man...or the love that she had always dreamed about as a little girl.
"My vice president bullied me into this vacation," She explained, there was a fondness to her tone as she thought of the large black man who'd thrust his finger in her face and threatened to cart her to the airport himself if she didn't give herself some time off. "He felt as though I was working to hard and took it upon himself to book me a couple months here. Bully..." She laughed then and shrugged lightly. "He's probably right, I can't remember the last time I was just...relaxing..."
She studied his profile then, propping her head on her hand as she looked at him, standing behind the bar, looking every inch the sexy island bartender that he was. She wondered about him, what his story was, how he'd ended up here. The questions stayed on the tip of her tongue though as she just looked at him and settled for pushing her glass towards him. "I'm Daisy."
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 21:41:37 GMT -5
West shrugged. "Why do you need to love something when you love what it gives you more. The point of trying to start the business was to get where he is now, though he just happened to fall pile of crap and come up smelling like roses. Now how to keep the money flowing, well you have someone else build the company so you can just sit back and bask in the glory of its income"
"Disgusting I know, but what can you do. People are too rich to care, they dont need to care. They just get to live their pathetic lonely lives, and think they are happy as lambs. They'll get whats coming to them, 40 years down the line, when karma comes back to bite them in the ass"He smirked as he took the cup she pushed towards him. He got a few more glasses, aas well refilling theirs.
He walked over to the group of younger ones, one of the guys were glaring at what he would assume was his girlfriend. She was all giggly as she openly flirted with west. West did his part in soaking up the sexual innuendos and flirtatious giggles. Her friend soon joined in and he handed them their refreshed glasses. Hey, he was only playing a part, beside meant bigger tips. Though from the looks of the boyfriends, he wasnt sure if that was going to happen. He turned giving a slight upward eye roll look, as he cfame back to daisy.
He smirked as he set her glass down in front of her. "and I suppose you think that I think I Must be in heaven. Girls fawning all over me and such."he gave her a teasing wink. He really didnt know what she was thinking, and he wanted her to know he wasnt assuming anything. "no really"He shook his head. He gave her a slight grin as she introduced her name. "West"he nodded, giving her his name as well. Might as well. "PLeasure"he said his voice low as he said the word, almost as if it was a caress.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 22:02:41 GMT -5
She took a long sip of the drink he set in front of her, this one stronger than the last. She wished she wasn't so interested in his interactions with the girls on the other side of the bar, but she couldn't deny that she was. He was smooth, charming when he needed to be, flashing just the right amount of smile, a touch of mischief in his eye...he was good at what he did and she could appreciate that. Her eyes caught the tips of a tattoo that she couldn't quite make out in the minimal light from where she was sitting and it perked her curiosity. She wondered what it'd be like to run her fingers across that skin...Daisy O'Connor, what the hell are you thinking?
She caught his eye roll when he turned back in her direction and she smiled at him, amused by his disinterest with the girls. And there he was in front of her again, focusing those dark eyes onto her and sending a shiver down her spine as he leaned closer and said his name. She should look away, he was too close and she was sure that there was something wrong with that, but she was drawn to him and all she could do was smile in return. "Tis my pleasure..." She said softly, her accent thickening with nerves.
Taking another long sip of her drink, Daisy could feel the alcohol coursing through her system and she felt the tingling warmth of it. She regarded him for a long time, just simply looking over him, openly appraising the strong features of his face and down lower over his muscular chest before returning to find his eyes again. "So how did you end up serving drinks to people you can't stand, West..."
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Post by West Matthews on Jul 9, 2007 22:26:26 GMT -5
He smirked again as he heard the difference in her voice. "Mm..'He nodded some as his eye caught someone flagging him donw. he yet again went to work refilling and getting new drinks for those that needed them. One of the older gentlemans seemed to nearly be falling off his stool. He waved his glass around wanting another, but West turned him down. he told him hed had enough and he should go back to his room and sleep it off.
The guy argued with west, but he just kept calm as he set down a cup of coffee in front of him, telling him if he wanted something to drink he was getting that. Yes they did have a coffee maker back there, West actually had brought it, for this exact reason. The guy grumbled but took the coffee, threatening to tell Wests boss. West just shrugged and returned back to Daisy.
"Sorry bout that.'He shrugged, "What now.. ah yes. hm.>"he smirked crossing his arms again leaning against the counter. "Well.. same reason why you get your hands dirty. I have a liscence and I enjoy bartending, so why not bartend?"He shrugged again. "I Just enjoy it, besides its quite interesting. You learn a lot about people when their drinking. Specially if they are regulars."he nodded tapping the side of his head wwith his finger.
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Post by Daisy O'Connor on Jul 9, 2007 22:38:17 GMT -5
Her eyes watched as he took care of the older man, flippant concern masked by that charming smile as he coddled the man with a cup of coffee. A smile drifted across her lips as she watched him, and she waved off his apology when he approached her again. "Aye, I suppose that you do. People's tongues loosen around the alcohol, say more than they should..." She was recalling her own experiences back in the pub in Chicago. More than once she'd heard the torrid details of someone's life she could have lived without knowing.
She tapped her fingers on her glass, taking another sip, finishing it off and could tell that the alcohol had done it's job. She was drowsy with the beginnings of the dulling of senses that only the perfect amount of alcohol could provide and she smiled. He looked so sexy standing there, the shadows cast across his body from the lights, playing tag with her eyes as she searched him. It had been a pleasant way to spend an evening, different then she had expected, but enjoyable.
Leaning forward slightly, she brushed a finger against his forearm, some of her self-awareness gone. Biting her lower lip she looked up at him, with a heavy-lidded gaze. "So if I ask for another drink, do I get one, or do I have to settle for the coffee you slung at the old man?"
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