Hot Billionaire Sex by Honey Taylor Page B

to be honest. It looks like the owner put all the effort into the restaurant and didn’t bother about the bar. It really needs freshened up and modernized to make it less down market and bring it more in line with the look of the restaurant.” Stacey looked around again. “I heard the bar was good, but from what I see I won’t be making any effort to come back. The place isn’t exactly overflowing with customers, so I guess I’m not the only one that thinks that way.”
     
    “So in a nutshell you basically think the bar is down market, dingy, out of date and that the owner has no ideas or taste when it comes to interior design,” laughed Ethan.
     
    “Well I wouldn’t exactly say that to the owner’s face…” Stacey began, but she didn’t need to finish the sentence to show that she agreed with the comments. “So what about you,” she asked, “what do you do for a living?”
     
    Ethan was about to answer when the barman stepped up to where they were sitting. “Sorry to interrupt boss,” he said. “There’s a call for you.”
     
    Stacey watched, a frown creasing her brow, as Ethan took the phone that was placed on the counter in front of him. She felt her embarrassment rising as she listened to his conversation about drink stocks for the bar and realized that the man she was talking too wasn’t just another customer enjoying a nightcap. Her eyes narrowed as he put down the phone. “Boss?” she queried. “Are you the manager of this place?”
     
    “Umm…, I guess I should confess that I’m actually the owner of the bar,” Ethan said.
     
    “Jeez,” Stacey complained. “You could have at least told me before I trashed the design of your place and said you were clueless and had no taste.” She could feel her face reddening as she thought of what she said and the embarrassment really took hold.
     
    Ethan held up his hands. “I’m really sorry,” he went on. “I guess I should have said something, but once you started, I really wanted to hear your opinions. If you knew I was the owner I suspect you might have sugar coated your views and not been quite as honest.”
     
    Stacey felt the burning of her cheeks and suddenly couldn’t meet the bar owners gaze. “You still could have told me,” she said, “so that I didn’t make such a fool of myself.”
     
    “You didn’t make a fool of yourself,” Ethan insisted. “To be honest if interior design is what you do for a living I guess I should really listen to what you say. I sort of wondered why the number of diners in the restaurant didn’t translate into more drinkers in the bar. Well now I guess I know. Unfortunately that phone call means I have to go and sort a few things out. Would you be willing to come back and point out the flaws of the bar in more detail and what I can do to improve them? I really would appreciate it and I promise no more surprises in future.”
     
    Stacey saw the dark brown eyes fixed on her face and the embarrassment gave way to another flicker of attraction as she met the gaze. “Sure,” she finally said, the idea of meeting the bar owner again suddenly something that she wanted to do. She reached into her bag, took out a business card and handed it over. “You can get me at my work number during the day.”
     
    “Thanks,” Ethan said as he stood and smiled. “Enjoy the wine and congratulations on your success. I’ll look forward to seeing you again soon.” Stacey watched as he disappeared out of the bar. She lifted a hand to her face and a rueful grin settled on her lips as she felt the heat in her cheeks. It was started by the embarrassment, but she realized it was partly to do with the flush of attraction as well. She couldn’t deny that Ethan was handsome and that there seemed to be a spark of something between them. Well at least from her point of view there was a spark of something and she suddenly found herself hoping the bar owner might feel the same. As she sat contemplating their