Page 32 of I Want Crazy (Loco, Texas 3)

He took a bite from her fork, and between the crunch, cheese, and kick, he groaned. “Damn, that is good.”

“That guy is money. I just hope he works out,” she said, feeding him another bite.

He chewed slowly, debating on how to let her down easy. “About that. I wasn’t trying to take over your bar, but I’m pretty sure he was arrested.”

“Yeah, I know, he told me. Let’s just hope he wasn’t lying about why he was in jail.”

Red stopped her next bite with his hand around her wrist lightly. “Say that again?”

“He has a felony on record, and when I asked him about it, he told me the story. His brother-in-law was a wife beater, and he lost his temper. I figure I’ll give him a chance and—”

“No, absolutely not. You can’t work with an ex-con, and you especially can’t be alone with him.”

She pulled his hand off her wrist, took the bite intended for him, and waved him off. “I am a grown-ass woman and can do what I want.”

“You are a woman, and that guy looks like he can bench two hundred pounds—”

“There you go with your sexist macho crap—”

“It’s not crap, it’s common sense. You can’t take him in a fair fight and—”

“You know what, get out of here. I want to enjoy my macaroni in peace.”

He almost did it, almost walked out, but her total lack of regard for her safety infuriated him. Stepping into her, he cupped her cheeks, his gaze boring into hers.

“Haven’t you ever had anyone look out for you?”

Her mouth opened as if she was going to smart off again, but he dropped his mouth to hers, just to shut her up.

And the whole world caught on fire.

Chapter Ten

Several thoughts raced through Jessie’s head as Red kissed her. The first was, Oh my God, what is he doing?

Followed shortly by, Why am I letting him do this? Stop him!

Only that didn’t happen, and a few seconds later, with the height of the counter cutting the difference of their heights, she was wrapping her arms around his neck, bringing him in so her knees cradled his hips as she kissed him back. His tongue swept over hers, and her nipples tingled to hard points. She wanted to wriggle closer until the front of his pants pushed against the insistent throb between her legs, but he beat her to it. His big hand slipped down, cradling her ass and pressing her against his jeans. She could feel the hard ridge of his erection, and every impulse screamed at her to start ripping at his clothes.

Jessie heard something at the front of the bar but ignored it, too caught up in the kiss to care, but when Red pulled away, she protested.

“Why the hell are you stopping?”

He set her back on the counter with a soft kiss. “Because we’re about to have company.” She looked toward the door and heard Rand’s voice calling for her, getting closer.

“Shit, I asked her if she would help me hand out flyers tonight.”

“Sounds like fun.” Red reached up to take her hands from behind his neck.

“What sounds like fun?” Rand asked, coming through the door. She stopped and looked between them, smirking. “Did I interrupt something?”

“Shut up, Rand,” Red said.

To Jessie, he gave a look that could have burned her underwear right off. “I’ll text you later.”

The door closed behind him, and Rand laughed. “I know that look.”

“What look?”

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