Page 28 of A Taste of Trouble

With Meg appeased, Liv finally had a few minutes to gather her thoughts. She was bent forward, placing a few empty glasses in the dishwasher, when she heard that deep, familiar rasp. That voice that never failed to awaken her libido. It sent her girlie parts into a heated frenzy, quickened her pulse, and forced the hairs on the back of her neck to stand pin straight.

“Can I grab a bottle of Bud?” Even without lifting her head, she knew Jake stared, his lustful gaze warming her body. When she made eye contact she confirmed her theory, his eyes swirling intensely.

“Hi, Liv.”

“Hi, Jake.” She winced at the high-pitched sound that escaped from her mouth. Liv scrambled for breath and tried to slow the blood pulsing through her veins. “Are you meeting Brian here tonight?”

She glanced around the room, but she didn't see Brian or any of Jake's other friends she'd met.

“Just me tonight. I was working late, so I thought I'd stop in for a drink before heading home.”

Liv warmed at the memory of the night before. The memory of Jake's hands on her body, his lips against her breast, her neck, her lips…then the water dousing her desire. But it was for the best. No sense in letting her brain cloud with the possibility of sex. Great sex. With Jake, she had no doubt it would be the best sex.

Liv pulled a bottle of beer out of the fridge, removed the cap, then placed it in front of him on a coaster, label facing her. “This isn't the best place for relaxing tonight. Amateur night is just getting started.”

Jake laughed. He turned around and glanced at the setup on the floor. With his gaze concentrated somewhere else, Liv could somewhat compose herself.

“Liv! I need some drinks, hon,” Meg yelled from the service area.

Jake turned his attention back to the bar.

“I've got to get back to work.” Liv bit her bottom lip and motioned to Meg on her right.

Jake nodded.

Despite how much she wanted him to be here, she desperately wanted him to go somewhere else. He was a distraction. His image was already burned into her brain. She didn't need him standing right in front of her.

“What do you need, Meg?”

“I punched it in.” The abundance of bracelets on both of Meg's wrists jingled as she pointed to the printer. “But I could always go for some of that.” She gestured across the bar toward Jake while fixing her low-cut top and push-up bra.

Glancing down at her own breasts in envy, Liv laughed. “You could go for anyone with a penis and a car.”

“A man having his own transportation is very important,” Meg answered.

Jake had a car. And after their encounter in the fridge, Liv could confirm with great certainty that Jake most definitely had a penis. Should she be worried about Meg making a move? She shouldn't care about Meg making a move. Meg had time to give Jake what he needed.

Liv glanced in Jake's direction while she continued to pour Meg's drinks. It looked as though he had made friends with one of her regulars, Chris. She shrugged. At least he had someone to talk to for the few minutes it would take him to finish his beer.

Chris made eye contact and motioned Liv over, calling her name over the loud, high-pitched version of what was supposed to be a love song. Chris was one of the only customers she'd consider a friend. But she kept her distance—he'd developed a major crush, and she had no intention of indulging those feelings.

“What's up, Chrissy?” He hated when she called him that and he made it known by the sour look on his face.

“Liv, you know Jake, right?” Chris slapped Jake on the shoulder and flicked his head to get his shaggy blond hair out of his eyes. “Get my new friend here a beer.”

“So you're staying?” The words were out before they even registered with her brain, and she couldn't keep the grin from spreading from ear to ear. Shit! She hoped she wasn't too obvious.

A small grin pulled at the side of Jake's mouth. “I take it you're okay with that?”

Liv had to redeem herself. “Of course I'm okay with that. The more customers, the more the bar makes. It's good for business.”

Luckily, Chris didn't seem to catch on to their smirk-fest. Liv grabbed a new pint glass from behind the bar and poured Chris a new draft, then picked up a bottle from the fridge.

During her delivery, a hoarse sound made its way to where Liv was standing. “I need another beer.”

Burt. Liv would recognize that harassing voice anywhere.

“What's wrong with you tonight?” he screamed out. “You're slow.”

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