Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 23

Abby

What an arrogant ass. He’s just as egotistical as he always was.

I rub my temples as the back door slams shut behind Karl. I stalk back across the room, giving John a look as I pass. He lifts his hands in supplication. “Sorry, boss. But to be fair, he started it.”

“This is a kitchen, not a boxing ring,” I hiss, shooting John a glare that makes him practically shrink. “If you have a problem with someone, then take it outside. Better yet, don’t get into a fight at work. There are literal stoves on, and knives everywhere. This isn’t the place or time.”

The message is directed at John, but I know everyone’s listening.

“Yes, boss,” he mumbles.

I walk back to my station and get back to work. We’re in the middle of a dinner rush, and the last thing I need is for my employees to start fighting. I get why Karl was pissed. John is being even more abrasive and vulgar than usual tonight, but that doesn’t mean he should start a fight in the middle of my restaurant. Imagine if my customers heard them.

Great, now everyone in the kitchen is going to be afraid of him. It’s only a matter of time before they find out who and what he really is. I can’t afford to have an Alpha here, not if everyone finds out. They’ll probably start to see him as the person in charge and not me.

I watch Karl return to his station and smile to myself. I’ve already had a couple of complaints about him, and I’ll have to talk to him about it later. But even if he’s been irritating the hell out of my employees, it’s a little amusing to watch him try to figure this whole restaurant thing out.

Tonight, just a little while before closing time, I call Karl to my office. When he arrives, he closes the office door behind him and leans back into it. His face is slightly red from the heat of the kitchen.“What’s up?” he says.

“Just wanted to talk to you about everything. We had a few complaints about you.”

He pauses. “Me?”

“Apparently, you don’t take orders well. Poor Jack looked like he wanted to kill you.”

He smiles slightly. “My bad. I guess I’m just used to being in charge.”

“Well, in my kitchen, you’re not.”

He nods slowly. “I guess I’ll have to get used to that.” He grins suddenly, and I frown at him. “Looks like you’re going to a party with me. Since I lasted the day and everything.”

“Fine. A deal’s a deal.”

“Does that mean I can go now?”

I shake my head. “We still need to clean up everything.”

“Okay, then tell me what I need to do. I’ll be happy to follow your orders.” He gives me a winning smile and I roll my eyes. I honestly don’t know what’s happening. I thought he’d hate having to be reprimanded by me and stalk out of here. He always used to let his temper get the best of him. But now he’s willing to do whatever I say? I don’t know what Karl this is, but it’s not the one I remember.

“I’ll do better tomorrow,” he says, turning to leave.

“So, you’re coming back?” I can’t hide the shock from coming through in my voice.

He turns back to the oven, and I bite my lip. He has no idea that Karl worked for me today, and that he might continue to do so if I’m to believe him. I know I have to break the news to him, but I’m a little nervous. Especially after the obvious pissing contest they had the other night.

I put my napkin on my lap and smile at him as he sinks into the seat across from me. See, he can be romantic, I think.Leah might not think there’s much passion between us, but she’s wrong. Why would he do all this if he doesn’t truly care about me?

We eat in comfortable silence. It’s not long before Karl pushes his way back into my thoughts. He looked pretty good when he left tonight, sweaty and a little disheveled. It reminded me of activities that used to make him look the exact same way. I used to find it pretty sexy, the way he’d look with his hair all messed up and his chest glistening with sweat.

I take a sip of wine and force the thought from my head. I’m having dinner with my fiancé. Now is not the time to be thinking about sex with another man.

“Adam, there’s something I need to tell you.”

He meets my gaze, and the smile falls from his face. If I didn't know better, I’d say he looks a little anxious. Maybe I made it sound way more serious than I intended to.

“Is everything okay?”

“Oh yeah, it’s not a big deal at all.” He still looks concerned, but a bit less tense than he did before. Did he think I was breaking up with him or something?

I say the words as quickly as possible, just wanting to be done with it. “Karl’s working at the restaurant.” His eyebrows go up. “Your restaurant?”

I swallow hard. “Yes. Karl’s working at my restaurant.”