EXTRACT FOR
Serving For Punishment
(Nicola Diaz)

Dalia bit her lower lip while glaring at the man. "I've worked for you for over five years. Do you have any complaints about how I've handed customers over the years?" she asked.



"Normally you're cordial. But I need to drive home a point with your actions. Rudeness will not be tolerated in my restaurant. Therefore, you are to attend the workshop trainings in the afternoons over the next two weeks. End of discussion." Ace shook his head, his eyes boring through her.



Rising from her chair, Dalia merely nodded at the man. She was so angry she couldn't speak. The need to leave his presence became forthright as she strode to the front door of the restaurant. She steamed within as she paced the sidewalk, her feet pounding. She didn't want to go home feeling this angry. And it was an insult for her to learn proper etiquette at this point in her career. The more she thought about it the madder she grew. As she beat her fists to her legs, she turned and marched right back into the restaurant to have it out with Ace.



"Yes, Dalia," Ace said as he was turning out the lights. Why did he have to appear so damn sexy and handsome? Dalia had to maintain her anger to get her point across. She placed her hand on her hip.



"I don't agree with your assessment of my behavior tonight. I think a good talking to should be my punishment. The two weeks of etiquette training is ridiculous. Please reassess this and give me the benefit of the doubt," she said.



Ace nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Okay, I tell you what, why don't I give you three choices here and you can choose," Ace said.



"Fair enough," Dalia said.



"Okay, good. Choice number one, take the designated training for two weeks. Choice number two, I fire you. Choice number three, submit to me for my own form of punishment," he said, his face stretching into a grin.



"That's it? Not a fourth choice to receive a slap on the hand and a threat of firing next offense?" she asked.



Ace chuckled. "Slap on the hand, no, but the third option is something we can explore with slapping involved," he said, his eyes sparkled.



"Are you freaking kidding me? Those aren't real choices. Come on, Ace," Dalia snapped.