Jake waited a few minutes after his encounter with Beth before he sauntered into Calabria’s. Out of habit, earlier, he’d glanced down the alley and noticed her standing there and decided to take action. He’d been to Calabria’s once or twice with a client, but it was always at lunch time. And he would have remembered seeing Beth if she’d been working on those days. Now that he knew where she worked, nothing was going to stop him from being near her, not even Beth herself.
She’d been surprised to see him. Did she really think he wouldn’t come after her? It seemed like it. He wasn’t a man who usually took a woman he’d just met to his bed, he preferred some sort of commitment on both sides before making love to a woman. But Beth had blown all his circuitry and all he could think about was getting her into his bed again.
Tonight when she insisted it was a one-night stand, he didn’t believe her, because the truth was in her eyes, it was more. She was attracted to him, there was no denying it, especially after the kiss they shared.
If they hadn’t been interrupted, he’d planned to ask her to dinner after she finished work so they could talk and get to know each other. If they’d ended up at his apartment making love all night long, so be it, if not, there were other nights.
Jake rubbed the back of his neck. His best friend, Greg, thought he was crazy. Maybe he was, but at this point it was better than the emotional deep freeze he’d been living in. Yes, he could admit it to himself now. His last relationship had been as exciting as listening to static on the radio.
Beth was different. She excited him, fascinated him, made him want her. But she also had an innocence to her which made him want to protect and cherish her. Of course she was sexy as hell, and his libido reminded him he was a dominant male, first and foremost.
The line moved and he stepped up to the hostess booth.
The woman looked up and her jaw dropped. “Oh, my Lord. It’s you.”
Jake grinned. “You were at Raven’s Friday night with Beth.” He remembered her dark hair piled on her head with an elaborate silver clip, the same one from the other night.
“Yes.”
“Jake Masters.” He held out his hand.
“Carla.” When she placed hand in his, he raised it and kissed the back of her hand.
“Oh, my,” whispered Carla, withdrawing her hand and waving her other hand in front of her face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carla.” He looked into the restaurant, hoping to catch a glimpse of Beth. Instead, he saw a few empty tables with red and white checkered tablecloths. “Is Beth here?”
Carla gave him a wide smile. “You know, I think you’d like to get a drink.”
“Not really. I want to see Beth.”
“Trust me. Go into the bar, sit down and order. You’ll thank me for it later.” She pointed to the open doorway.
Jake stared at Carla for a moment, then shrugged. Maybe Beth was in trouble with the boss. Striding into the bar, he found an empty bar stool at the end and sat. He glanced around trying to find his nutmeg beauty, but he didn’t see her anywhere.
He could wait a few minutes. Picking up a handful of peanuts, he tossed them into his mouth. His stomach growled. When was the last time he’d eaten? Yesterday? No, that couldn’t be right. Still, he was going to need more than peanuts soon.
Eating another handful, he became thirsty. He looked around for the bartender and raised his hand to signal the man. His hand froze in mid-air. Beth stood at the other end of the bar.
So this was the reason Carla insisted he go into the bar. A grin spread across his lips. Carla was on his side. He watched Beth pour drinks and put them in front of the patrons, her movements precise and sexy.
And it explained how she knew the champagne he’d given her. A bartender. He never would have pictured her in the job, but seeing her, even he had to agree it fit her. Her hips swayed when she shifted from one foot to another. His mouth watered as she began working her way down the bar, checking to see if anyone needed anything.
She talked to each person she passed, women gave her envious looks and the men flirted with her. But she would laugh and go on with her job as if the men hadn’t said a word. Is that why she didn’t take him seriously? Did he think he was only playing with her?
It might have seemed that way on Friday night, but not in the light of a new day. He wasn’t out to play, he was out for keeps. Beth would learn when he wanted something he got it, and right now, she was going to be his newest acquisition.
She hadn’t seen him yet, and it was probably a good thing or she’d bolt. She was four people away from him, pouring a drink when her hand began to tremble. As she was pulling back, a male hand grabbed hers.
“Come on, darling,” a male voice whined.
“Joey, let go of my hand.” Beth’s tone was pleasant but firm.
“Please, Bethie.” The man whined again.
“No, Joey. I’ll call you a cab and you can go home and sleep this off.” She tugged trying to Joey to release her hand.
“I don’t want to go home. I want to stay with you.” The man’s voice rose.
Beth glanced around, and Jake did, too. Where was that blond giant Angelo when he was needed?
“Joey, you don’t know what you’re saying.” Her hand came free from Joey’s grasp and she put her hand on Joey’s shoulder, gently pushing him back onto his stool. She backed away.
“Oh, come on, baby.” Joey lunged forward.
Jake had enough. His hands descended on the man’s shoulders, holding him back before he could grab Beth again.
“I don’t believe the lady is interested,” said Jake.
Beth fell back another step. “Jake?”
He fought against grinning at the disbelief in her voice. “Hello again, Beth.” He released the man but stayed close.
“You know this jerk?” asked Joey with a hiccup.
“He’s a friend.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled, but Jake kept his attention on Joey. He was pretty sure the old man meant Beth no harm, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
“Oh. You never said you had a boyfriend.” Joey tried to stand and almost fell to the floor.
“Whoa there, buddy.” Jake caught him by the arms and helped him back onto the stool. “I think Beth has the right idea. Let’s get you a cab.”
“Yeah.” Joey looked up at Jake, studying his face. “Hey, don’t I know you?”
“Nope. I just have one of those faces.” And Jake hoped they could keep it that way.
“I’ll figure it out, later. I know all the regulars here.” Joey waved his hand at the other people sitting at the bar.
“I’m sure you do.” Jake glanced up to see Beth on the phone, minutes later a cab driver walked into the bar.
“Come on, Joey, the wife is waiting for you,” said the cab driver.
Jake helped the driver with Joey then he went back to the bar. Beth stood behind the bar, the color still high in her cheeks, but her eyes flashed fire at him.
“What would you like to drink?” she asked in a calm voice.
He almost said, “you,” but at the last second he swallowed the word. No sense riling her any more than she already was. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but I didn’t like the idea of any man grabbing you.” He took her hands in his.
“Please, Jake.” She gazed at him, her blue eyes pleading. If she didn’t want to talk about the incident, fine with him.
“I want to please you.” Jake kept his tone low, so no one else would hear. “Like I did Friday night when you came apart in my arms.”
Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a deeper red. “Jake, I’m working, and you’re going to get me fired,” she whispered, glancing to her left. Jake followed her gaze to the men sitting at the bar. Thankfully their attention was on the football game.
“Have dinner with me when you get off from work?” He was pushing it and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t want her to disappear on him again.
“No. You’v
e got to go, Jake.”
“All you have to do is say yes, then I’ll leave.”
She shook her head. He knew she wasn’t going to be a pushover, but he wasn’t about to give up.
“Hey, Beth, can I get another beer,” yelled one of the men.
“You got it.” She tugged her hands from his and went back behind the bar.
“I’ll have a Champagne Royale,” said Jake.
“What?” She stared at him.
“Champagne Royale, to drink.”
“Ah, sure. Let me get the beer first.”
She quickly filled the beer mugs, then she was back in front of him mixing the champagne and Chambord raspberry liqueur in a flute, before setting it in front of him.
“Sorry it isn’t Ardeene, but that’s a little pricey for us.” Her fingers lingered on the stem of the glass.
“It’s fine.” He reached for the flute, their fingers brushing. Beth all but snatched her hand back as he raised the glass and took a sip.
“Why are you here, Jake?”
“Because you are.”
“Stop saying things like that.”
“Why? It’s the truth.” His gut tightened when he thought about how she left him on Saturday morning.
“For goodness sake, Jake. Get it through your head. It was sex. One night out of three hundred and sixty-four.”
“Do you really think it was enough to satisfy me?” He rose to his feet. Reaching over the bar, he cupped her chin. “Are you telling me you don’t burn for me, like I burn for you?”
“Stop it, please.”
The truth was in her eyes. She wanted him, but she didn’t want to admit it. Emotionally she was holding back, something she hadn’t done on Friday night.
He wanted the open, fresh, totally Beth back. A woman who chased away the demons of loneliness and reminded him he was all man and his male passion was still alive and kicking.
“You want me as much as I want you. Don’t fight it.”
“We can’t always get what we want.”
“I always get what I want.”
Her eyes widened once again, then she said, “Let me go, Jake.”
“Not yet.”
“This isn’t open for discussion. Release me.”
Possessiveness like he’d never experienced surged in him. He wanted her by his side and in his life. Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Releasing her chin, he turned.
“Sorry, buddy,” said a male voice.
The words registered when Jake was dragged off his stool and laid flat by a right hook.
Chapter Five
“Angelo,” Beth cried out, watching the patrons jump off their stools and circle the pair, the football game forgotten.
She ran around the bar and pushed her way through the crowd. Jake sat on the floor, a small trickle of blood running from his lip to his chin.
“Hell of a right hook,” Jake said to Angelo in a calm voice. Beth expected him to at least be angry, but there was nothing but laugher in his eyes.
Angelo shrugged. “Comes in handy sometimes.” Angelo held out a hand to Jake. “Sorry about hitting you, but I did warn you to release Beth when she asked.”
“Yeah, you did.” Jake put his hand into Angelo’s and Beth shook her head when Angelo pulled him to his feet. “I like you, Angelo, but watch yourself. Beth is a big girl and more than able to take care of herself.”
“Yes, she can. But I’ve seen your kind before.”
Jake eyebrows rose. “I won’t hurt her.”
“You better not or you’ll have to answer to me and next time I won’t pull my punch.”
Beth couldn’t believe these two. “If all this male bonding is done…” She glared at the pair as they turned to her. “What?” Men. Her stomach was in knots. She hated confrontations like this.
“I’m fine.” Jake grinned at her and her heart stuttered. Damn it! He shouldn’t be able to affect her like this.
“Right.” She stepped forward. “Let me take you in back and get you cleaned up.” She kept her voice low and soft.
The patrons went back to their football game and she placed her fingers on his forearm. Muscles bunched beneath her touch. With her free hand, she dug into her apron and pulled out a clean tissue.
Jake started to lean back.
“Be still,” she ordered as she wiped away the blood from his chin.
Their gazes collided, his pupils dilated and she could see the desire in his eyes. She shivered in awareness.
“For you, darling, I’ll do anything.”
“Yeah right.” She turned her head. “Angelo, get Ramon to cover the bar.” She didn’t wait for an answer. Instead she grabbed Jake by the wrist and tugged him to a small back room filled with liquor and supplies. A single light bulb provided a yellowish light.
Releasing his arm, she took the first aid kit off a shelf as the door shut. Jake was leaning against it, regarding her with a gaze that reminded her of the lion at the zoo. Watching its prey.
Her stomach clenched. “Sit down and let me see how much damage was done.” She gestured to the small metal chair. With shaking hands, she opened the first aid kit. What was it about men and fighting? Taking out a small alcohol pad and some gauze, she turned back to Jake.
His hands encircled her waist, tugging her between his open legs. He tilted his head up as he rested his fingers at the bottom of her spine, but not before caressing her hips ever so lightly.
“Jake.”
“What?” He gazed at her with those twinkling green eyes, his fingers doing a dance over her spine, causing spirals of excitement to each nerve.
“Stop doing that.” She shifted on her feet trying to dislodge his hands.
“I’m just trying to help.”
She puffed out a breath. Then raised her hand and gently swiped at his lip.
He flinched. “Sorry,” she whispered. “I should have warned you about the sting.” The cut wasn’t very deep and it only took her a minute to clean it up. By the time she was done, her hands were trembling uncontrollably.
“All finished.” She tossed the pad and gauze into the trash and tried to step back.
“Not yet.” Jake tightened his hold as he stood.
Beth swallowed, he had a predatory gleam in his eyes and her body quaked. “I need to get back to work.” She brought her hands up to push him away, but instead they rested lightly on his chest. His firm, warm chest.
“Someone is covering for you.”
“What do you think you’ll accomplish by keeping me here?” She tried to stay calm as Jake maneuvered her back against the wall. Her heart began to pound and her stomach tightened with excitement.
He released her waist, only to place his palms flat against the wall, trapping her between his hot, unyielding body and the hard wall.
“Maybe I can finally get some answers as to why you left my bed Saturday morning. The truth, not the crap you tried to feed me earlier.”
She drew her lower lip between her teeth. She couldn’t give him the truth. It would mean giving voice to her own desires and wants. She wouldn’t do that. She couldn’t.
“It was time for me to go.”
“And if I didn’t want you to go?” The fingers of his right hand drew a light path of fire down her cheek. A shiver of anticipation shot through her body.
“Jake, please.” There was no escaping him, he had her trapped. And his touch was so darn seductive she had no defenses.
“Please what?” His lips caressed her temple. “Please touch you?” His fingers trailed down her neck to the collar of her blouse. “Please kiss you?” His mouth brushed over hers so briefly she craved more. “Please make love to you?” His hips brushed hers. His erection pressed into her stomach and her breath caught in her throat.
Beth’s lashes drifted shut and pure unchecked arousal flowed through her entire body. Her core tightened, her stomach clenched and her nipples grew hard. She had to fight this, fight his seduction. She forced her eyes open. “I left before you could
tell me to leave,” she whispered. “That’s all.”
“After what we shared, do you really think I’d ask you to leave?” His breath brushed her face. Barely an inch separated them.
“How am I supposed to know?” Why couldn’t he follow the rules? Why did she have to pick the one man who wouldn’t want a one-night stand?
He was staring down at her, then the color of his eyes darkened even more. “You’ve never done this before, have you?”
“What? Had sex? Plenty of times.” She tried to move her head away but only ended up banging it against the wall.
His hands were there in an instant, tangling in her hair, but rubbing the spot which had met the wall. “You’ve never had a single night of sex.”
She lowered her gaze and stared at his leather shoes. Damn, was the man a mind reader or what? Warm fingers slipped beneath her chin, raising her face until she was forced to look at him.
“And you’ve still never had one.” The air sparked between them, his head blocked out what little light there was as his lips touched hers.
His tongue traced her lips, causing delicious shivers of excitement to lick through her veins. Her lips parted and his tongue plunged in. He tasted of the antiseptic she’d used on his cut lip, but then she forgot everything.
Beth sighed into his mouth, as her arms encircled his neck and she began to kiss him back. Tongues tangled, dueled with each other, before parting, only to come together again.
Part of her knew she should be pushing Jake away, but she couldn’t. It felt good to be in his arms, to feel his kisses, his passion. To know that she was the one arousing this man, but fear nagged in the back of her mind.
She tore her mouth away, fighting to catch her breath. “Don’t.” She forced her arm to move placing her fingers against his lips when he started to lower his head.
“Don’t kiss you? Impossible.”
“Please, Jake.” Oh lord, memories were starting to flood in and they weren’t good ones. Memories about boys calling her a tease.
More Than One Night Page 6