Free Three Rings (The Fairytail Saga) by S.K Munt Page A

scared of her as you are of boats.’
    Lincoln’s hand shot out, catching the tie of Sherri’s apron, preventing her retreat as he mentally drew on whatever courage he could grasp through his lust and insecurity. Ivyanne may have been in charge out on Bracken. But here, he was still the boss-and he had to make it clear that what he’d endured the night before wasn’t something she could batt away with those damn luscious eyelashes. And she definitely couldn’t go ordering the other staff around to make time with him-time she hadn’t actually earned .
    ‘Actually, the only discussion you and I need to have right now concerns this young lady.’ He stepped back, pulling Sherri in front of him, placing his hands on her delicate shoulders. ‘Ivyanne, this is Sherri Vandenberg. You’ll be answering to her from now on, so I’d suggest you make your welcome a little warmer.’
    The girl under his hands tensed, but her reaction had nothing on Ivyanne’s own. The princess’s eyebrows shot up.
    ‘Already?’ She demanded. ‘I thought it was a trial. She’s been here half a day .’
    ‘And yet she already knows her way around the register better than you do.’ Lincoln smiled down at Sherri’s head briefly, then back to Ivyanne, keeping his gaze cool. ‘You were offered the position, and you didn’t want it. I’m seeing now that it was for the best-so I hope you do too.’
    ‘I’m looking forward to working with you Ivyanne.’ The discomfort was evident in Sherri’s tone, but she didn’t shrink into herself. ‘I have a lot of ideas-starting with a bit of a promotion for the function room Lincoln’s got under development.’ She reached into the pouch of her apron and withdrew a handful of glossy fliers. ‘I made these last night. Whenever you get a chance today, try and disperse these among the local guests, okay? And be sure to talk it up.’
    Lincoln looked down, surprised. ‘You made them?’
    Sherri turned and smiled up at him. ‘I could see you weren’t in the state for it when you returned from your uh, date last night-so I had a crack at it. I hope you don’t mind.’
    ‘Don’t mind? They’re fantastic!’ He massaged her shoulders lightly. ‘I’m gonna need to convince you to stick around, you know.’
    Sherri laughed lightly. ‘I’m sure you’ll think of a tempting enough offer.’ She handed the little stack to Ivyanne. ‘You all good with this?’
    But Ivyanne didn’t take the slips-she didn’t even look at them. Her gaze was locked on Sherri’s shoulders, and Lincoln’s hands upon them.
    ‘Ivyanne…?’ Lincoln had to fight a triumphant smile. ‘You okay?’
    Ivyanne lifted her gaze back to his, and scowled. Her eyes had never been so green. The sheer luminosity of her jealousy was dazzling to behold. And for once-he was the culprit, not the victim. She took the fliers and shoved them into her pants pocket.
    ‘Sure.’ She said in a tight voice. ‘I’m just peachy.’
    Thorny is more like it. Lincoln grinned, thrilled to have brought the human out in her once more.
    And he intended to keep it that way, until she wept at his feet for forgiveness instead of demanding it.
    ⁓
    The sound of Lincoln and Sherri chuckling quietly over something-probably her - followed Ivyanne all the way down to the coffee machine. They were speaking in low tones, and the warmth in their voice froze her out.
    This is just fantastic! She thought, stuffing the little waterproof bag under the counter and scowling freely now that her face was turned away from them. I’m in love with a man who think that ‘an eye for an eye’ is an adult way to handle a hurt.
    Whatever remorse Ivyanne had been drowning in all night abated in reflex to the punishment he was intent on making her suffer through. She thought of how angry Tristan had been with her the day before, but how willing he’d been to talk it out once he’d cooled down. He’d needed mere hours to recover.
    Lincoln, on the other hand, had