Page 61 of Surprised By Love

“Sometimes.” He weaves his fingers through mine as he leads the way past the crowds of people. A few people try to stop him to talk, but he just nods his head and smiles until we reach a pedestal sign stating VIP Area. We enter the archway leading to a smaller room in the back.

I stop in my tracks, taking it in. The music isn’t as loud and there aren’t as many people. Pool tables line the back wall and there are no high top tables; instead, square tables encircle a small space for dancing.

“Come on.” Josh pulls me to follow him to a table in the back. I can’t help but feel eyes on me. I’m sure with what I’ve heard from people in town, there is some gossip going on right now.

Josh takes my jacket and hangs it on the coat rack between two tables, along with his own. He pulls a chair out for me and I take a seat. “Thank you.”

Taking the seat beside me instead of across from me, he yanks on my chair. Pulling me closer to him. “I want to be close to you,” He whispers in my ear. Shivers creep up my spine as he drops an arm around my shoulders.

“This is nice,” I say, looking around, then I look at him. “Are we supposed to be back here?”

He laughs this deep sexy laugh I’m becoming addicted to. “Yeah, baby. We’re good here. Even though this is a firefighter and a police bar, Tucker wanted a separate room for us. Sometimes we like to kick back and hang out without having badge bunnies or tourists around.”

“Oh.” I look over at the pool tables where a group of guys are playing pool and a few girls are hanging all over them. One is sitting on a guy’s lap, her head in the crook of his neck, her fingers circling strands of his hair. I can’t help but wonder if Josh ever does that. The rumour is he doesn’t hook up with girls from town, but my mind goes there, anyway.

“Hey.” I hear his deep voice in my ear.

“Yeah?” I turn my face to him. He places a finger under my chin. “That’s not me,” he says, as if reading my mind. He tilts my head up to his and places a soft kiss on my lips and before we can deepen the kiss, a throat clears.

I look up, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. A tall, very muscular, blond bearded man in a charcoal grey t-shirt, blue jeans and arms covered in tats is standing in front of us.

“I heard a rumour the sergeant was back here with a woman. I had to come check it out for myself,” he chuckles, a deep sound coming from his lips.

Josh reaches out and shakes the man’s hand and laughs. “The rumours are true. Tucker Jones, I’d like you to meet Samantha Langfield.”

“Sam, this big oaf is Tucker Jones. The owner of this lovely establishment.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say, reaching my hand out to his.

“It is nice to meet you.” He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles, and I can feel Josh tense up beside me.

Josh reaches out and takes my hand. “Hey. Get your own.” He grins.

A deep laugh escapes out of Tucker’s mouth as he raises his hands. “Okay, okay. No need to dig out the cuffs.” He looks at me and then, as if a lightbulb went off, he says. “Ahh. the long lost Miller sister returns.”

I can’t help but laugh. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard someone say that. “Yep. I’m back.”

He tips his head. “Well, welcome back. Drinks on me.” He turns to Josh. “Blair will be back here in a moment to take your order. You guys have a good night.”

Tucker heads out of the room as a tall woman with violet hair enters. She is wearing the same charcoal grey shirt with Tucker’s in red on the back, but her top’s tied under her large breasts and the leather skirt she is wearing is so short that if she bends over, I’m sure you’d see what colour panties she has on. I wonder if I will ever have the confidence to wear something so short or wear a top tied like that. Derek has made me feel less than desirable, and I hate it. Then again, the way I keep seeing Josh looking at me, I might just get my confidence back again after all.

“Hiya Josh,” Blair says with a wide grin. “So good to see you.” She rests her hip on the table facing Josh. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Can I get a Heineken?”

“Sure thing.” She looks down at me. “And for you?” she says, her lips pursed as if she sucked on a lemon. What is with the women around here? Is it that hard to believe Josh would be with a woman like me? Or is it the fact that I’m from town? Either way, I wish they would stop.

“I’ll have a Heineken as well.” I grin.

“You drink beer?” Josh asks once Blair is out of the room.

“I haven’t had one in a long time.” I admit.

He leans in and kisses my temple. “Well, if you don’t like it, you let me know we can get you something else.”

“Well, well. What do we have here?” Lucas grabs a chair, turning it around and straddling it.

Josh lets out a breath. “Do you mind?” He glares at his brother.

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