Page 3 of Break Out

Rather than roll my eyes, I lifted my chin and walked toward the bar on the opposite side of the restaurant.

One empty bar stool beckoned to me even though two men who were probably in their forties sat on either side of it. I pulled out the stool, perched my ass on it, and slid my ID and credit card out of my pocket.

“Don’t listen to that prick,” a man with a deep, rumbly voice said.

I turned my head in his direction.

Ho… Lee… Schnikes, as Aunt Mallory would say. I had been wrong. This man wasn’t in his forties, more like late thirties. He had the sexiest wavy hair and wore a black t-shirt which struggled to encase his well-inked biceps. The dark stubble lining his angular cheeks almost distracted me from the gray hairs at the side of his head, but those grays only enhanced his appeal.

His brown eyes danced over my face, but I sensed malice would shine from his irises just as easily. He had an energy about him, like he was a leader and accustomed to being in charge. Then it hit me.

Power. He oozed power.

I shook myself out of what felt like a trance. “I’m sorry, don’t listen to what?”

His lush lips tipped up. “That asshole who told you to smile more. Don’t listen to him.”

That made me chuckle. “Trust me. No woman ever smiles because some dickhead tells them to.”

A deep rumble came from his direction and I realized he’d chuckled. “Good to know.”

“I’m surprised you heard him,” I said.

His teeth flashed in a small smile. “Hard not to. He’s been obnoxious since I got here, drunk for about the last hour. If I’d wanted to deal with that, I’d have gone to the college bar five blocks down the street.”

“The same one I just left,” I muttered.

“Not your scene?”

I raised my brows and smiled. “Not any more. After today, I’m done being a college girl.”

The bartender made his way to me. “What can I get for you? If you have your student I.D. we have half-price shooters and slices.”

I felt my eyes light up and I put my student I.D. on the bar. “Fabulous. I’ll take a slice with pepperoni and black olives and two fingers of Jack Daniel’s Honey.”

The bartender grimaced. “Discount is only for well drinks.”

I shrugged a shoulder. “That’s cool. Believe me, today calls for the JD Honey.”

The bartender turned to enter my order and the man next to me chuckled again. I glanced at him.

“Doesn’t look like you’re done being a college girl.”

I tilted my hands up. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for a deal.”

He stared at me, those brown eyes weren’t dancing any more. They examined me. It should have made me uncomfortable, but I adored having his scrutiny.

His full lips formed the slightest smile. “Why does today call for Jack Daniel’s?”

I grinned. “Honey, don’t forget the honey.”

He closed his eyes and I watched his chest rise with a deep breath. His brow arched and he opened his eyes. “Right. What’s the occasion, Jade?”

Did he just give me a nickname?

I loved that even more than him staring at me.

“I finished my degree today. That’s a pretty big deal in my book, and anything worth celebrating deserves Jack.” My head cocked to the side. “Why did you call me Jade?”

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