He shrugged. “That’s what you do when the girl you’re attracted to owns a bar and works strange hours. You make time whenever she’s available.”
“Jesus, you’re a menace,” she grumbled, turning away.
“Maybe, but you like me anyway,” he hollered as she disappeared into the back hallway behind the bar.
She didn’t bother turning, just stuck her hand above her head and flipped him off.
God, she was entertaining.
But there was that voice in the back of his head whispering caution. He didn’t really know her...and couldn’t discount the possibility that she was involved in this mess.
Snagging his stool, Finn pulled it back up to the bar.
“Well, that was interesting.”
He hadn’t noticed the woman propped up against the wall a few feet away until she spoke.
She was wearing the trademark Kentucky Rose T-shirt tied in a knot above her belly button, showing off dark mocha skin, toned abs and a glittering ring. Her tight, ripped jean shorts hugged her curves and bright red boots topped off the outfit.
He hadn’t noticed this girl last night.
Grabbing the beer he’d been neglecting for the past twenty minutes, Finn took a huge sip before setting the glass down and asking, “What was interesting?”
“All of that,” she said, waving her hand between him and the other side of the bar. “You either move fast enough to be classified a superhero, or there’s something else going on here.”
Well, hell. This woman, whoever she was, was too smart for her own good. Finn knew there’d be people he and Tucker had to work to convince. Apparently she was going to be the first.
“I hear she threw your ass out last night. Twice.”
Finn couldn’t quite stop the grin that tugged at his lips whenever he thought of the expression on Tucker’s face when she’d told him to get out. “Yeah. Yeah, she did.”
Dark brown eyes stared at him for several seconds, studying. Drilling. “So, what are your intentions with my girl?”
“Oh, this is that kind of conversation. Well, I’ll be honest and say I don’t really know.”
Her wide mouth turned down.
“Yet,” he qualified. “I mean, we just met.” But the best lies were grounded in truth so he found himself adding, “I know I can’t stop thinking about her. She irritates and intrigues me at the same time.”
The woman chuckled, the sound deep and rich, as she pushed off of the wall. “Yep, that’s our Tucker. She’s sharp as a tack and won’t hesitate to prick you.”
Boy, wasn’t that the truth. “God, she’s brilliant.”
Tucker reappeared behind the bar, hauling a rack full of clean glasses. His instinct was to jump up and offer to help her, which he started to do. But he was smart enough to stop himself before the words left his mouth.
Leaning into the bar beside him, the woman drawled, “You’re pretty smart yourself.”
Rubbing over the spot where Tucker had slapped him, he said, “What can I say? I learn fast.”
Staring at him for several seconds, she finally held out her hand and introduced herself. “Monique.”
Taking it, he said, “Finn.”
“Nice to meet you, Finn. Her daddy might be in Florida, but Tucker has plenty of family here. I’ve got my eye on you.”
His lips quirked up. “Do whatever you feel you need to. But I’ve got my eye on her, so...”
“Mmm,” she murmured, right before Tucker popped back over to his end of the bar.
“Don’t tell me this one’s bothering you, too.” She smacked a towel down onto the bar with a huff. “Do I need to make a damn announcement that you’re off limits?” Tucker’s eyes narrowed, crinkling at the corner. “Monique, do I need to remind you that you have a husband and baby son at home?”
“Not on your life. Just looking out for you, Tucker.”
Tucker growled and flung a wet bar towel at Monique.
Monique grabbed it and tossed it back down onto the bar.
“Watch this one. He’s slick,” she said, hooking her thumb in Finn’s direction. “But yummy and probably worth the hell he’s liable to put you through. Something tells me he’ll be a good time in bed.”
“Monique,” Tucker groaned, but the other woman had already turned on her heel and was sauntering away.
Tucker’s annoyed gaze found his. He shrugged. “I am damn good in bed.”
* * *
GOD, HER ANKLE hated her. Tucker groaned as she eased the boot off her foot. An unbidden sigh of relief rushed past her lips as she rested against the dark wood at the end of the bar, letting all her weight settle on the other leg.
Strong hands grabbed her around the waist from behind. Her first instinct was to fight, but that only lasted for the split second it took her to realize Finn was the one holding her.
When had she become so in tune with him that she recognized the feel of his hands on her?
She half expected him to pull her into his arms and kiss her again.
She wanted it.
She didn’t. Or, at least, she didn’t want to want it. That stunt he’d pulled at the end of the bar had left her brain feeling like mush for at least an hour.
That recovery time was too damn long for her productivity. Not to mention her sanity.
Then he picked her up like she weighed next to nothing and plopped her down onto one of the bar stools.
And then dropped to his knees.
“What are you...?”
She didn’t even get the entire question out before his fingers were probing her ankle, rubbing gently and easing the ache.
And another groan broke through.
His fingers dug into the arch of her foot, releasing the pressure that had built up there. God, it felt good. Tucker dropped her head back, not even caring that her back was pressed into the hard edge of the bar. Whatever Finn was doing felt too amazing.
And he didn’t stop at her foot. Slipping the other boot off, he dug into the muscles of her calves, turning them to jelly. The liquid burn was amazing.
“You’re good with those fingers.”
Tucker didn’t even realize what she’d said until Finn looked up at her from his position at her feet. His green eyes blazed. She felt the hit of them straight to her belly and below.
Her legs weren’t the only thing going liquid and warm.
He didn’t even have to voice the words for her to know exactly what he was thinking. Because she was thinking the same thing. Her sex throbbed and she wanted the relief of his fingers there, as well.
Finding strength from somewhere, Tucker pulled her good foot out of his hold, placed it on his shoulder and shoved.
He barely budged, but it was enough to get her point across. For a second, she thought he was going to ignore her, leaning in instead of pulling back.
But slowly, reluctantly, he gave in, putting space between them. Not that it helped much. Her entire body was already buzzing with energy that she had no outlet for.
Scooting off the stool, she dropped her feet to the floor and nearly crumpled when her bad ankle couldn’t hold her up. She would have hit the ground if Finn hadn’t caught her.
“Easy there, kitten.”
She needed to shake him off before she did something stupid. Shrugging his hands away, Tucker grasped at anything to distract herself and put some space between them.
“Do not call me that.”
Finn just crossed his arms over his chest, pressing close and looming over her. Which only irritated her more. God, she missed her heels. Being short was such a disadvantage. Especially when staring down a big, bad military man with a penchant for ignoring anything she said.
“I’m serious.”
“Oh, I know you are,” h
e said, humor tingeing his words and ramping up her frustration.
“I’m not your kitten, your sweetheart, your darlin’ or anything else. I’m nothing to you, Finn McAllister.”
“Whatever you say.” He shot her a look that was clearly meant to placate her. She wasn’t buying it. The man was entirely too irritating—and enticing.
“I don’t suppose you’d let me carry you out to my Jeep?”
“Not on your life.”
“Thought you’d say that. Well, put your boots back on, then, and let’s get this show on the road. Don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
Tucker pulled in a deep, calming breath when he moved away. Rounding the bar, he stopped long enough to scoop up the glass he’d been using and pop it into the built-in industrial dishwasher before disappearing down the back hallway.
Sinking onto the stool behind her, she leaned forward to pull the boots onto her feet, but ended up pressing her palms to her flushed face, instead.
Get a hold of yourself.
It’s the advice she would have given anyone in her position. Finn McAllister flustered her, and not in a good way. After a childhood of being jerked around like a kite, Tucker went out of her way to be the only one in control of her life...and her body.
At the moment, those same sensations of being tossed and untethered were welling up and she didn’t like it.
Okay, that wasn’t entirely true. Her body enjoyed the buzz of energy Finn drummed up with a single charged look. But that was just physical attraction. She watched it every single night, with a front row seat to the mating dance of the human species.
And she experienced the flip side of it, as well, when she had to mop up tears along with the condensation off the bar whenever a customer came in to drown their relationship sorrows in alcohol.
Nope, none of that was for her. She didn’t want the high, because she didn’t want the low. Wasn’t worth it.
Her resolve back in place, Tucker pulled the second boot on and eased herself to her feet. She felt more solid, in control.
At least, until she crossed the bar to find Finn checking all the doors and locks. Safeguarding her bar.
Dammit. She really didn’t want to like this man. On top of wanting him, that would make keeping him at arm’s length so much more difficult.
6
FINN HELD THE door open. Tucker scooted under his arm, trailing that tempting scent that was uniquely her—a combination of woman, whiskey and rose—right beneath his nose.
The tendrils of her blond hair brushed across his arm, so soft. He wanted to bury his hand in it again.
But this wasn’t the time or place. Tucker had her armor firmly back in place, something he’d recognized the minute she straightened from putting her boots back on.
Maybe it was better that way.
But he wanted to rip that veneer away again. The need burned through him, hot and heavy.
“Finn!” His name rang out above the din in the all-night diner, the scent of grease overpowering everything else when he stepped inside.
Tucker stood in front of him, shifting on her feet. Gorgeous, completely put together, even at 3 a.m., and a little out of place.
From behind the long counter, Patty waved at him, her salt-and-pepper hair pulled up into a ponytail high on her head. “Sit anywhere, sugar. I haven’t seen you in ages. Where’s that dog of yours? I’ve got a treat for her.”
Finn cut a pointed gaze at Tucker. “Someone made me leave her at home.”
Patty gasped and harrumphed.
Tucker threw up her arms. “Why does everyone act like I’m the crazy one for thinking a dog doesn’t belong in a bar and a restaurant? I’m sure she’s perfectly happy chewing on your slipper or something.”
“Duchess does not chew on anything.”
“Except bacon. I’ll wrap her up some. You take it home,” Patty said. “Y’all sit wherever.”
Settling a hand on Tucker’s hip, Finn ignored the way she jumped as he steered her toward a booth at the back.
Normally, he preferred the counter so he could chat with Patty, but tonight that wasn’t his goal.
The place was busy, even at this hour. Or maybe it was the hour that made it busy. Everything else in the area was closed.
He waited for Tucker to take the other side before sliding onto the red vinyl that afforded him a view of the door.
Patty appeared at the end of their table a moment later.
“Well, who is this, Finn? She’s pretty, although she doesn’t seem to like our girl, much. I’m reserving judgment for the moment. What can I get you two?”
Finn was used to the no-nonsense and one-sided way Patty carried on a conversation. She finally took a breath and let him answer.
“Tucker Blackburn, I’d like you to meet Patty Warren. Tucker owns a bar on the outskirts of town, the Kentucky Rose. Duchess and I are working on her. I’d love to hear your opinion, but with this one I’m not sure it’ll make a difference.”
Patty squinted at him for several seconds. “Like that, is it?”
He shrugged. He’d known Patty for years. His dad used to bring him to this diner when he was a kid, father/son bonding time. Patty had been behind the counter, even then.
Stepping back, she let her gaze travel slowly over Tucker, taking in everything about her. Patty was almost as unforgiving as his camera lens could be.
After several seconds, she said, “The Kentucky Rose, huh? Never been, but I’ve heard good things.”
“Thank you,” Tucker said, smiling up at Patty. The smile was genuine, which only made him like her that much more. Some people might’ve dismissed Patty, assuming she was nothing more than a short-order cook. But what the woman could do with eggs and a bowl of buttermilk batter was nothing short of miraculous.
“We met at Tucker’s bar. There was a scuffle.”
Patty smacked him across the shoulder. “Now what have I told you about getting into trouble, Finn McAllister?”
Tucker laughed, the sound deep and throaty. “He wasn’t the problem. Well, he was. And then he wasn’t. Actually, he came to my rescue when I got knocked on my ass. Just waded into the middle of a fight, picked me up off the floor and made sure I was okay.”
Considering he’d had to pull a thank-you out of her at the time, hearing the humor and gratitude in her voice made something deep inside him hum.
“Yep, that’s my boy. He’s got a heart of gold.” Patty snapped the order pad she’d been holding against the edge of the table. “Maybe I can forgive you for sending Duchess home, after all.”
“Gee, thanks,” Tucker said, cutting him a wry grimace.
With a single nod, Patty dismissed the entire conversation. “What’ll you have?”
Finn didn’t hesitate. “Two loaded omelets, two big stacks, home fries for two, coffee—and you wouldn’t happen to have some ibuprofen handy, would you?”
Tucker’s mouth flattened into an unhappy line. Her eyes flashed that brilliant blue fire that made him want to push her just so he could see them glitter.
“Water. No coffee,” she corrected. “And could you bring me some peanut butter?”
Patty grinned, wrote on her pad and spun on her heel.
Crossing her arms in front of her, Tucker leaned into the table. “Maybe that’s not what I wanted to order.”
“Maybe it wasn’t. But it’s what you should have wanted. And since you’ve never been here, I wanted to give you a taste of the best. If you don’t like it you can order something else.”
“That would be rude.”
Finn laughed. “Since when does being rude bother you? You haven’t hesitated to put me in my place any chance you get.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“You de
served it. Patty’s done nothing but be an unwitting accomplice to your highhanded tactics.”
What was it about this woman that stirred his blood? She was intelligent and confident. She didn’t hesitate to give him a piece of her mind—or anyone else who deserved a dressing-down, for that matter. She intrigued him and challenged him.
Which only made it damn hard to remember that he shouldn’t be letting her in. He was supposed to be playing a part, not actually falling for her. Not to mention there was a very real possibility she was up to her pretty little neck in this mess. God, he needed to remember that.
Patty plopped a glass of water, two mugs with coffee and a couple of little brown pills onto the table. “If anyone asks, you didn’t get those from me,” she said, before disappearing again.
Tucker stared at the steam rolling off the surface of her mug. She glared at him for several seconds, groaned and then snatched up three packets of sugar. Whacking them against her palm, she dumped them, along with a couple of creamers, into the cup before stirring. “If I can’t fall asleep tonight I’m gonna call you repeatedly and hang up whenever you answer. Fair warning.”
Finn hid his grin behind the rim of his own cup. “With all the shit you just dumped in there, does that even qualify as coffee anymore?”
Her eyebrow quirked up. “Ask me if I care.”
Finn settled back against the plush cushions, stretched his arm out over the top of the booth and watched her as he sipped.
He needed more information about her. Something that would help him determine which side of the line she fell on—good or bad, involved or innocent.
Tucker stared back, meeting him beat for beat. She didn’t flinch or hide. She simply stayed steady and waited. Patient.
Lowering his coffee back to the table, Finn said, “So, I understand you have an MBA.”
Now her body flinched. If he hadn’t been watching he might have missed her reaction. What he didn’t understand was what had prompted it. Most people would be happy to discuss earning their master’s degree.
“Yeah. How’d you learn that?”
“All part of the job, kitten. You don’t think we ran a background check on you?”
Tucker shot him a look. “Do I want to know what else you know about me?”
Rescue Me Page 6