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“That’s where Kee Wah comes in,” Maggie continued. “They make most of the baked goods sold at JavaJam. I’m hoping that we can also get them to produce a line of Mom’s products for direct retail sale.”
“Fingers crossed for both of those deals,” Malia said. “And it sounds like you’re poised to found a pastry empire.”
Maggie laughed.
Then Ellie’s gaze went past Malia. Her eyes widened suddenly. “Wow,” she breathed.
Malia turned her head, and immediately spotted the object of Ellie’s attention.
A tall man leaned against the very end of the crowded bar.
Wow, indeed, she thought.
She tried to tell herself that he wasn’t her type at all—older, with long dark-golden hair and golden beard scruff, and brightly-colored tattoos on his muscled biceps where they emerged from his t-shirt sleeves. He wore a well-used cowboy hat, worn boots, and had a beaten-up nylon day pack slung over one shoulder.
The newcomer caught her looking. He touched the brim of his hat and winked at her. This was followed by a grin and a slow survey that made her feel like her panties were melting.
At that, her inner wolf suddenly perked up and became very, very interested.
You should get to know him, her wolf suggested.
Are you kidding me?Malia shot back incredulously.You want me to just pick up a random out-of-towner at a bar?
She forcibly stopped herself from returning his smile. Instead, she turned her back to the bar.
But she could still feel his intense gaze burning into the spot between her shoulder blades.
She had a policy of only dating nice guys. The kind of men who her pack would approve of if she mated one of them. And she’d never indulged in a one-night stand. That was Rob’s style. Not hers.
Unfortunately, none of her nice-guy dates had sparked any interest from her wolf so far.
Because they’re boring, her wolf pointed out.I want someone interesting for our mate. You never pick any stimulating men.
Malia couldn’t argue with that. Every one of her dates so far had been kind of, well,bland.
But she’d been busy, first with college, then with the police academy, and finally, trying to make it through her probationary period here at home.
Rob was the one who dated “exciting” people, both male and female, and there was always some kind of drama happening in his orbit.
For her part, Malia felt like she got enough drama interacting with the public at work every day. She wasn’t sure she wanted it in her personal life as well.
And this guy looked like Trouble with a capital “T.” He had “bad boy” written all over him.
“Oh my God, he’s headed this way!” Ellie reported breathlessly.
Chapter 4
Malia groaned silently, but couldn’t stop herself from turning to look.
Sure enough, Mr. Tall, Blond, and Scruffy was headed straight for their table.
He moved with predatory grace, his tight jeans lovingly hugging his muscled legs with each long, smooth stride.
“Hiya, ladies,” he said pleasantly, coming to a halt right next to Malia’s chair. He stood close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I was wondering if you were locals.”
Malia fought and lost against the temptation to stare up at him. Everything about him was…well,sexy. His voice, his high cheekbones, his hot brown eyes. And that smile.
An unaccustomed but pleasant starburst of heat fluttered through her belly.
