Page 2 of Hank

"Right there," she said pointing toward the other end of the bar, then waved when Mr. Suave’s head turned toward where she’d indicated. Jonah gave her a slight scowl and what might pass as a smile, while giving a short wave back before crossing his arms.

"That’sButcher?"

"Yeah. Oh, by the way," she said, tapping him on the shoulder, then nearly lost it when his wide-eyed stare met hers. "Do you have a safe word?"

"Uh… Uh…" Each little stutter accompanied a backward step.

"And there he goes," Faith said, when Mr. Suave took a quick pivot and made fast tracks toward the exit, parting the crowd as he went. Gales of laughter from them followed after him until Faith finally sobered enough to chuckle out, while shaking head, "That was perfect, Jo."

"Jo, you’re a mess."

"Nah, Mags," Jo said, brushing the imaginary dust from her quarry’s retreating feet off her arms. "I’ve just got a gift."

"What made him think that would work?" Colleen’s red brows, a shade darker than her natural crimson locks, crinkled as she muttered over the rim of her glass, "Bless his heart," then took a sip of her sour apple martini.

"I’m thinking it’s a male genetics thing," Jo said, matter of fact. "Think back to the cavemen. How dumb did theyactuallyhave to be to go hunting woolly mammoths?"

"I think that’s why women live longer," Faith added. "They’re always doing stupid stuff that could kill them, or at least do some pretty serious damage." Her brows drew down. "I mean,really, you don’t seeusgoing around and kicking each other in the nuts." Then she kind of laughed, a blush spreading up her face all the way to her pale-blond hairline. "Well, proverbially, of course. To see who lasts the longest."

"I can’t believe you saidnuts," Colleen snickered out. Faith was notoriously shy, so it was one of those,well, that came out of left field,kind of comments that had all of them laughing again. Even Faith, who covered her face.

"I’m sorry," came from behind where she faced her friends, cutting into their laughter. Ah, she’d forgotten about Modelo guy. "Jo, is it? I haven’t meant to eavesdrop, but I feel like I need to say something."

Jo twirled around on her stool again, then immediately regretted it as she zeroed in on Modelo guy taking off his jacket and draping it on the back of his stool. Hopefully she wouldn’t throw up all over…

Wow.

How had she not noticed who she’d had sittingrightbeside her all this time? But the more important question was,whyhadn’t her friends clued her in?

Black hair, stormy gray eyes, and from the pull of his t-shirt, nicely muscled, but not overly so. And if she had to guess, a lot taller than her. Which most everyone was, since she barely broke five-two. But still…

Wow.

And, of course, way too young for her.

"Yes, I’m Jo." Jeez, what was he? Twenty-four, twenty-five? But while she had him up close and personal, she might as well give him another good once-over. "And you are?"

"Hank."

2

"Hello… Hank."Jo’s slow smile held just a hint of mischief. After the little performance she’d put on to get rid of the idiot who had hit on her, he had a feeling mischief might be her middle name. That, or dangerous. Or maybe both.

"And what is it you need to say?" she asked, holding his stare as she sat up straight.

It had been a while since a woman had piqued Hank’s interest. And maybe he had piqued hers as well. Her hazel eyes sparkling with humor and intelligence—andmaybetoo much tequila from the looks of the shot glasses, salt, and spent limes in front of her—gave him a once-over that had one part of him stirring and wanting to stand at attention.

Had he mentioned his interest had already been piqued? And that was before getting his first good, full-on look at her. No wonder the other guy had tried his luck—albeit in the worst possible way. But who could blame him? What man wouldn’t want to get up close and personal with what promised to be a firecracker in a tiny package?

But there was more.

Everything about her appealed to him. From all those short, blond curls framing her creamy, delicate features he’d love to tangle his fingers in, to a body his hands wanted to…

Down, boy.

Getting a chubby was not going to give him an advantage with her. She’d already dealt with one creep. He didn’t want her putting him in the same category.

Was she older than him? Sure, maybe by nine or ten years. Did he care? Absolutely not.

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