Page 30 of A Taste of Trouble

He'd been watching her all night?

“Leave it alone, Jake. I've got this.”

“How can you let him talk to you like that?” Jake said to her.

“He's drunk. Comes with the territory.” Liv walked around the bar to where Burt was sitting and helped him off his stool. “Your cab is probably here.”

“Don't you touch me.” Burt's arms flailed about. For an old man, he had surprising strength. He knocked Liv away from him, throwing her against the bar. The edge rammed into her back.

“Ow!”

“That's it!” Jake grabbed Burt and dragged him to the door.

By now, all of the other customers had noticed the disturbance and were watching as Jake pushed the old man out the door into the cold winter air.

Chris rushed over. “You okay, Liv?”

“Yeah. Just an accident.” She brushed her shirt down, trying to regain her composure. “I'm good.”

Good? She was embarrassed as hell. When had she ever needed a man to take control of the situation? She'd handled drunken idiots hundreds of times before, and now, with everyone watching, he made her seem weak.

Liv grabbed Burt's bill and pinned it behind the bar. Trying to calm herself, she cleaned away all the evidence of him. The circular swipe of the cloth against the bar settled her pulse and racing brain.

Two minutes later, Jake waltzed back in. “I made sure he got in a cab. Are you hurt?”

“Nope. I'm good.” She used a wet rag to scrub at the place where Burt had sat.

Her eyes darted up, but only for a second. Jake looked concerned and he wore it well. Damn! He was too beautiful. His green eyes pierced right through her as if he knew every thought racing through her mind. If only that chaotic mess didn't happen and Jake hadn't made her feel two inches tall. Why couldn't it be twenty minutes ago, when the only thoughts plaguing her were dirty ones—Liv on top of the bar, Jake between her legs—

“Does that happen often?” Jake asked. “He's a real ass.”

Liv waved him off and returned to her duties. “He won't even remember tomorrow.”

“Liv! I need drinks!” Meg called from the other end of the bar.

Liv turned and held up one finger. She turned her attention back to Jake, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest and a stone cold expression on his face. She reached for two empty glasses on the bar to her right. “I've helped people out of here more times than I can count.”

“It doesn't make you weak, you know. Asking for help.”

She stopped abruptly, and raised her eyes to meet his. How did he know her so well? “I'm not weak.” No one ever took the time to get to know her, and in waltzed this man who thought he had her pegged after having one high school-style make out session. What did he want from her? A confession? An apology? Whatever it was, she couldn't give it to him. “I'm fine on my own. Always have been.”

“Liv!” Meg called again.

Jake let out a heavy breath and ran one hand through his hair. This was the first time she'd seen his calm and cool demeanor challenged, but Liv didn't give him the chance to finish his thought. “I have to get back to work.”

“Fine.” He rested his hands against the bar and leaned forward with a determined set to his jaw. “I'll see you around.” He stalked off toward the front door, leaving a heavy sense of loss in his wake.

…

It was finally closing time. The night had been interesting to say the least, a fitting end to a career Liv was ready to leave behind.

There were a few stragglers left, including Chris. Liv cleaned up the sloppy bar, washing away the sticky beer spills and wing sauce. Austin had stopped by for a visit but left in a hurry. He had a date. There was only one thing he could be doing at this late hour, and Liv knew exactly who she wanted to be doing the same thing with. Jake Miller.

Damn him! Butting in where he didn't belong. She let out a heavy sigh. But he was sweet. And Liv liked the feeling of being taken care of. She appreciated his help and his concern. Not that she would ever say it out loud.

But self-sufficiency wasn't going to keep her warm at night.

Despite her anger and frustration, she still couldn't get Jake out of her thoughts. He looked so good tonight, asking to be ravished. She grew hot and damp just at the thought of his face. Closing her eyes, she thought of all the naughty things they could do in this bar. All of the places they could christen if only he were here.

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