Page 42 of Bad Boy for Hire
“Wow.” Xavier’s beard shifted when he smiled. He took her in, unable to hide his appreciation. She wondered if, like her, he was mentally replaying their night together. “This outfit might replace the yellow romper as my favorite.”
“That romper is technically mustard,” Lisa interjected, reminding both of them she was sitting there.
“It’s technically mustard yellow,” a low voice announced. Griffin stood between Lisa’s and May’s barstools. “Hello, ladies.”
“Hi, Griffin.” May offered a smile.
“We match.” He tugged on his black suit jacket and gestured to his jeans—though they were dark and hole-free. “I changed out my corset at the last minute. That would have been awkward.”
May laughed on cue, and Griffin gave her a heartthrob smile. His gray-blue eyes seemed to be hiding both secrets and pain, while his full top lip boasted a perfect cupid’s bow. His pronounced five o’clock shadow gave him a rugged look, making him appear dangerous. Not in an embezzling-funds way, but more in a let’s-stay-out-late-and-do-bad-things way. Fun bad things.
It was impossible not to like him, not that Lisa had made such a request of her friends.
“A T-shirt is a true classic.” May gestured to the dark navy blue tee beneath his jacket.
“I like to impress the ladies. Even the ones who pretend not to be impressed. Hi, Lisa.” He turned his attention to her purposefully. May covered her lips with her fingers to stifle a laugh.
“Greetings and salutations.” Lisa gave him a plastic smile and then turned to Xavier. “You look nice too, Xav.”
“I was hoping someone would notice.” He gave May a purposeful side eye as he ran a hand down his black button-down. The sleeves were rolled to his forearms, partially revealing the tattoos on one arm. His dark jeans and boots had just enough wear so as not to look brand new.
“You look very nice,” May told him.
“I was promised free drinks,” Lisa said.
It took Xavier a beat to pull his attention from May. “So you were.”
“What’s he doing here?” Lisa directed that question to Xavier but nodded at Griffin.
“Griff has a refined palate.”
“She knows that.” Griffin, his long eyelashes shadowing stormy eyes, glanced down at Lisa, who actually blushed.
“It’s an Autumn Appletini,” Xavier said as he began pouring liquor into a shaker. “Bourbon, apple juice, cinnamon syrup, bitters, and a squeeze of fresh lemon to wake it up.”
May had always been mesmerized by the way Xavier moved behind the bar. He was precise, confident, in complete control. He poured with practiced ease and returned the bottle to its home the same way. Then he raised his arms and began to shake, his gaze on May as his forearms flexed with the motion.
Her mouth went dry.
He sliced a red apple into thin half-moons, his long fingers as steady as ever, and then dropped a slice into each glass. He passed Lisa and Griffin their drinks, then rinsed the shaker with a flick of his wrist that was somehow exceedingly sexy.
“There’s a catch,” he told May as he set the shaker on the bar. “You and I are tasting the mocktail.”
Next to her, Griffin spluttered into his drink.
“Sorry.” He coughed. “Wrong pipe.”
Lisa was frowning in clear irritation, but May thought there might have been something else in Griffin’s expression—a flicker of guilt he quickly masked with a smooth smile.
He knew something. Had Xavier told him?
“A mocktail? In this town?” Lisa snorted.
“It could happen.” Xavier served his and May’s alcohol-free drinks next. “I’ll come ’round to you.”
Why did that sound sexy? May could feel sweat prickle her underarms, but there was no way she could take off her jacket in public. The corset she wore could not be mistaken for a cami—it was strapless, lace, and bordering on scandalous.
Xavier took his seat at her right as Griffin affixed himself between Lisa and May. She watched, stunned, as Griffin and Lisa clinked glasses amicably.
