Page 31 of A Taste of Trouble

She pictured herself sitting on the bar, legs open, Jake standing between them, his hands on her hips, his lips caressing her neck, his hot breath sending shivers through her entire body.

“What am I doing?” Liv muttered. She shook her head, trying to focus.

Grabbing the cash box, she headed to the back office to finish the night's paperwork, leaving Meg to watch over the last few guests. Tonight, the cash out took her twice as long. Counting and fantasizing just didn't mix. What was wrong with her? He was not a logical choice. He wasn't even a choice. He had made that perfectly clear when he'd taken off.

Ten minutes later she locked the office door and walked up to the bar. All the customers had called it a night. Meg sat alone on a stool, waiting for her return. As soon as she noticed Liv walking toward her she jumped off her seat. With a wiggle of her eyebrows and a devious smirk, she hightailed it out the door.

After locking the front door, Liv picked up the last of the glasses and slid them into the dishwasher. Bang! That was the bathroom door slamming. Liv looked up and her face flushed. Excitement overload.

Jake was here. He'd come back. And he was making his way toward her.

She let out a small squeal, but felt like all the breath had left her body. She kept her head down, pretending to fidget with the dishwasher. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but watch him.

His gait was fluid, an aura of sex oozing from every pore. He was confident and strong. Strong enough to resemble a predator, but casual enough to show he wasn't threatening. He was dangerous to he

r libido, and she was his helpless and willing prey.

His eyes were focused on her as he approached, and Liv squirmed with his every step.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.” Her voice was hoarse. She had to clear her throat to continue talking. “Why don't you have a drink with me?”

He cocked his head to the side. “That's not the only reason I came back.”

“Not sure if I believe that.” Liv didn't know why she was being so standoffish. Maybe she was just afraid of getting in so deep with Jake that she couldn't find her way back.

But her mood didn't last long. She reached in the fridge and grabbed two bottles. She flipped off the caps and set them both down on coasters.

She needed to focus, get her head in the game.

Jake reached for his bottle of beer and took a swig. The simple sight of his lips wrapped around the brown glass made her insides quiver. She may have let this guy behind her armor a time or two, but she was in no way, shape, or form relationship material.

“So what did bring you back?”

He seemed to take her change of topic in stride. “I'm on my own tonight. I found someone I really like. And I don't want to scare her off.”

For as much as she wanted to blow him off and concentrate on her work, she couldn't stop wondering about what could be between them. She wanted him too badly. And if she didn't get him, she feared she might never stop thinking about him. It would be best to just get him out of her system. To have him, and then let him go.

She jumped up on the bar and swiveled her body around, letting her feet dangle over the edge. “You should make your move.” She flashed him a coy smile. “She may really, really want it.”

He set his bottle on the bar and positioned himself in front of her.

She shivered at the feel of his breath on her neck. Her panties—now damp—rubbed against the seam of her jeans, her clit aching for relief.

Lust swirled in the green depths of his eyes. He wanted this. Just as much as she did.

He spread his hands out against her thighs, spreading her legs, wiggling his body closer. Jake's midsection was now flush against her core. She squeezed her legs tight, not wanting him to move. Grabbing her wrists, he pulled her hands to the bar. She still gripped the beer bottle, but he secured her hands with his, restricting her ability to touch him.

With the way he was looking at her, Liv knew he was wearing down.

“Tell me about her.”

The green of his eyes mingled with the animal hiding behind his dark lashes. “Her eyes are dark, so incredibly dark, but they sparkle when she's aroused.” He brushed light kisses along her jaw. “Her lips are soft.”

She was intoxicated by him, all of him. His scent, his touch, his voice. Never had one man managed to render her utterly defenseless.

He swiped his thumb across her bottom lip and finally leaned closer, pressing his lips against hers. At first softly, then he deepened it. His hands rested near her waist. She could feel the pull of her T-shirt as he fisted it in his hands.

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