They soon moved on to next year’s lineup, and Jamie’s mind wandered. How long had they been at the party? An hour? He searched the room for Olivia, trying to find her among the crowd, as he agreed with everything Todd said about the up-and-coming starting quarterback.
When he finally found Olivia, she seemed to be in the same predicament. A tiny, ancient man had her cornered, and she nodded every few seconds even as her eyes glazed over.
Jamie was just settling into listening to the story of Todd’s last big game when he noticed Olivia’s gaze sharpen. Her body stiffened. She shifted to the other foot. Jamie followed her gaze—straight over the top of her companion’s head. It took Jamie a moment to pick anyone out of the crowd, but he finally figured out who she was staring at.
A couple had just stepped through the door. The man was tall and good-looking and enthusiastically shaking hands with everyone within his radius. The woman was blond, tan and very, very young.
Olivia had turned away from them as if she was pretending to ignore them, but as Jamie watched, the man spotted Olivia, raised his eyebrows and headed toward her. He very purposefully took his date’s hand and guided her through the crowd, though he stopped every few feet to exchange words with other guests.
When he got to Olivia, he pulled her into a hug as soon as she turned toward him. Olivia cringed.
Interesting.
Todd seemed to have wrapped up his story, so Jamie said, “Those were the glory days, huh?” then slapped Todd on the back. “Come by the brewery this weekend and I’ll buy you a beer.”
He left Todd grinning with pride and headed toward one of the servers. Olivia’s wineglass was empty and she looked like she could use another. Just as he started toward her, she looked up and said something to the man as she gestured in Jamie’s direction. Surprise flickered briefly across the man’s face as he turned.
“Victor,” she was saying when Jamie walked up. “This is Jamie Donovan. Jamie, this is Victor. And Allison.”
“Great to meet you,” Jamie said, holding out his hand to Allison first, then Victor. Victor’s grip was tight as a vise.
“Victor Bishop,” the man said very clearly, hitting Jamie with the exact amount of shock he’d hoped for. Bishop.
Jamie made his face stay neutral and pleasant. He didn’t aim an alarmed look at Olivia, even though everything inside him wanted to pull her aside and ask for some quick clarification.
“So…” Victor said, giving Jamie’s hand one last ridiculous squeeze. “How did you come to know Olivia?”
“I served her a few beers,” he said dryly.
“Beers?” Victor shot Olivia an incredulous look. “You don’t drink beer.”
“She drinks my beer,” Jamie offered with a smile. He finally dared a glance at Olivia. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hand white-knuckled around the stem of the empty wineglass. “I gave her a few lessons.”
She met his gaze and tried to smile, but the result was a tense grimace. “Jamie is part of the Donovan Brothers Brewery family,” she said.
“But I’ve got nothing against wine. Here, Olivia.” He plucked the empty from her hand and handed her a new one. He was tempted to ask Victor how he’d come to know Olivia, but Jamie figured he already knew. They had the same last name and the guy definitely wasn’t giving off a sibling vibe.
“Well,” Victor said. “It’s nice to see you dating again, Olivia.” His words didn’t quite sound genuine. In fact, they sounded pretty damned forced, not to mention patronizing as hell.
Jamie looked him over a little more thoroughly. Victor Bishop was older than Olivia by at least ten years, and he dressed as if he were trying out for the part of “stereotypical college professor” in a local theater production. Pressed slacks, gray button-down shirt, hound-stooth sport coat, brown suede shoes. But everything looked very expensive.
“So, Victor,” Jamie said into the uncomfortable silence. “I haven’t heard much about you.” He thought he detected a faint wheeze from Olivia. “I’m guessing you work at the U?”
“Absolutely. I’m a professor of economics.”
Jamie smiled. “And you, Allison? Do you work at the U or are you an innocent bystander like me?”
“Oh,” the girl said, looking up at Victor as if checking on the answer. “I guess I’m an innocent bystander now. I was a teaching assistant last semester.”
Victor’s teaching assistant, Jamie would guess. He didn’t need to rely on his years of bartending psychology to pick up on these undercurrents. He wondered exactly how long Olivia had been divorced. As if he’d attracted her attention with his thoughts, Olivia tucked her arm around his. Victor’s gaze darted down.
“We’d better go find Rashid,” she said with false cheer. “I haven’t congratulated him on his new position at Stanford.”
They strolled away as if they were searching for Rashid, but Jamie led her into the kitchen. There were some catering staff around, but no guests. As soon as they were out of sight of the party, Jamie let her go and stepped back. When he crossed his arms, she looked at the floor. “So,” he said.
She didn’t look up.
“You want to tell me what’s going on?”
Her hands twisted together, but she said nothing.
“I’m guessing that Victor is your ex-husband?” She looked more than a little ashamed as she nodded, so he was confident he’d figured out the rest of it. “And he’s the reason you invited me along?”
Olivia swallowed. “I wouldn’t say that. I mean…it’s not…”
Right. Jamie felt more pissed off than he would’ve expected. His first real date in nearly a year and she was faking it. Shit. This was a new experience. “Well, I’m flattered, I guess.”
“Jamie—”
“Your ex-husband is playing the field with younger women. You thought you’d show off with a younger man—”
“It’s not that!” she interrupted. “Or…not only that. It’s more about me than you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
She crumpled a little, her shoulders dropping, and Jamie realized it was the first time he’d seen her without perfect posture. “I’m sorry,” she said. “He wasn’t supposed to be here.”
He was a little embarrassed about how much that cheered him up. “You didn’t know he’d be here? Really?”
“No, not that. It was wrong. I know it was. I wasn’t playing a game, or I didn’t mean to, anyway. I only agreed to come to the party because he was supposed to be gone. I’ve got a new life now. I didn’t want to see him. When I found out he was coming… I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have brought you.”
He didn’t bother to disagree.
Olivia took a gulp from her wineglass, then set her shoulders back as if she’d realized she was slouching. “I apologize. I just wanted to loosen up a little.”
“In front of your ex?”
“Yes, in front of my ex! He…”
Jamie saw the way she swallowed hard, her jaw clenching, and he worried she was about to cry. “Listen—”
“That girl he’s with. Allison. She’s not the first girl like that he’s dated. And marriage didn’t keep him from indulging.”
“Ah.”
“Predictable, isn’t it? But I’m not bitter anymore. I don’t hate him. I swear it’s not like that. I want to have a life that has nothing to do with him.”
“Except when it does?”
Olivia shrugged and finished her wine before setting the glass carefully on the counter. While she was still turned away from him, she murmured, “He told me I wasn’t any fun.”
Jamie ran a hand through his hair, wondering if it would be rude to leave right at this moment. He was probably justified. Surely she wouldn’t object. He’d be kind enough to drop her off at her place first. “What?”
She turned to face him. “When I caught him cheating, he told me it was because I wasn’t any fun.”
Jamie grimaced. “Jesus Christ.”
“And you know what
? I’m not fun. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to be.”
“You want him back?” Jamie asked, his voice so loud that she blinked in shock.
“No! That’s not it at all! I’m just trying to enjoy my life. Figure out who I am. I was only twenty-two when I met him. I’m not that girl anymore. So who am I?” She met his gaze head-on and, for the first time, she let him see something of herself. Something warm and vulnerable. “Am I the kind of woman who goes on a date with someone like you?”
“Someone like me?” Jamie ordered himself not to feel primal satisfaction at the way her eyes warmed.
“You’re young. Handsome. Purposefully charming.”
“I like to think of it as naturally charming.”
“Oh, it’s natural,” she said, her mouth quirking wryly. “But you use it to great effect.”
“I like people.”
She smiled then, chasing the sadness from her face. “I know you do. And you’re the definition of fun. So I thought…” Color climbed up her cheeks.
Whether he was angry or not, Jamie couldn’t help his interest in this woman, and the color in her cheeks intrigued him. “You thought what?”
“I’m trying new things. Like the book club. So I thought…”
“You thought you’d try me out, too?”
She flashed a surprisingly wicked smile. “I thought I’d try a date with you. And, unfortunately, I thought I’d do it in front of Victor. I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry. It was a momentary impulse. I’d already changed my mind when you weren’t at the brewery, but then you walked in….”
He shrugged. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t have shown him up. But I would’ve appreciated a warning.”
She touched his arm. “I really am sorry. Let’s leave.”
“I don’t know. You’re already using me. I’m all dressed up. We may as well make the most of it.”
“Jamie—”
“Hey.” He took the hand she was gesturing with and curled it against his chest. “Just answer one question. Are you interested in me or not?”
Her fingers squeezed his. “I’m interested in you. But I think—”
“That’s all I need to know right now.” He eased a little closer as she brushed her hair behind her ear. A nervous gesture. “Exactly how jealous do you want to make him?”
“I don’t want to make him jealous. I just want him to stop flaunting his girls in front of me. It’s rude.”
“Rude,” he said with a smile. “You know what? You’re right. It’s definitely not polite. So how deep do you want to drive the point?”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
“A kiss? Just to teach him a lesson in etiquette?”
“Etiquette, huh?” She laughed and the sound danced over his skin. But when she was done laughing, the question still hung between them, and she eyed him with a different sort of nervousness. “You mean out there in front of everyone?”
“No. Right here.”
“But…how will he know?”
He watched as she licked her lips, her tongue flashing just quickly enough to make him want more of it. “Oh,” Jamie said. “He’ll know.”
“Well, if you think it’ll work…”
“I know it’ll work,” he said softly, easing closer. She looked like she’d be easy to startle, and he didn’t want to do that. Just as he’d expected, she shifted a little, drawing her head back a fraction of an inch.
He smiled. “Where are you going?”
“I don’t know. I just…”
But her words died when he touched his mouth to hers, a careful touch, barely a kiss at all.
“Okay,” she sighed, her eyes closing. “Just a kiss.”
Jamie closed his own and kissed her again. A longer taste, but still soft. But this time when he drew away, she closed the space between them, and this was a real kiss. Her lips parted just enough that he could feel her breath and the warmth of her mouth. He kissed her top lip, then her bottom, touching his tongue to that plump, pink flesh.
She sighed again, whispering the sound against his skin, and Jamie couldn’t wait another moment to taste her. When he slipped his tongue into her, she was hot and sweet with wine. But he still held back, barely rubbing his tongue over hers, allowing himself time to enjoy it. They were in a kitchen at a stranger’s party. There’d be nothing more than kissing, and he wanted to feel every moment of it.
A few endless heartbeats later, Jamie drew back, slightly dazed as he opened his eyes to the glaring lights of the modern kitchen. Olivia looked dazed, too, blinking as if she was waking up. Her pupils were dilated, her cheeks flushed, and her lips were red as cherries. Her ex wouldn’t be able to miss that, even if he wanted to.
“Wow,” she whispered. “You’re good at that.”
“I like kissing.”
“I think I do, too,” she said, and he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on. We’d better get in there before it wears off.”
“What wears off?” she asked, but Jamie shook his head. She couldn’t know how beautiful she looked like this. Warm and blushing and—for once—not the least bit rigid. It was almost like seeing her naked. Almost.
He took her hand and led her out to the party and all the stiff, bored people pretending to enjoy themselves. “You come to a lot of parties like this?”
“Not a lot. Not anymore. Now I get to choose which ones I go to, but unfortunately, they’re all like this. Everyone trying to impress each other. Everyone on their best behavior. What kind of parties do you go to?”
“I don’t go to parties. I work.”
“Not as glamorous as it seems?”
“Oh, it’s glamorous as all hell, Ms. Bishop, but the hours are long.”
“Don’t call me that,” she said, smacking his arm.
“Come on. It’s totally hot that you’re my teacher.”
“Just barely your teacher,” she said, throwing his own words back at him.
“Just enough,” he corrected.
Olivia laughed, bumping her elbow into his ribs as they walked toward a wall of doors that opened onto a deck. Jamie had already scoped out Victor Bishop’s location, and the guy was definitely looking tense. Jamie offered him a smile.
“So why are you taking the class?” Olivia asked as they stepped onto the deck.
Jamie felt so relaxed that he almost answered honestly. Then he remembered that he was keeping a secret and snapped his mouth shut.
Olivia tilted her head. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just brushing up on business basics.”
“No, you’re hiding something.” They’d reached a railing that overlooked a spectacular view, but Olivia propped her back against it and faced him. “Why are you really taking the class? Seems like you’ve got the brewery thing down pat.”
He looked past her. “What a gorgeous view from here.”
“Spill it.”
Shit. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too early. I’m just starting to think it through.”
“Are you going to start your own business?”
“No!”
Her eyebrows rose.
“That’s not it. Honestly. It’s just that… I don’t know. I’m thinking more of expanding the current business.”
Her face remained neutral for a moment, then her mouth made a pretty O of surprise. “You’re going to add a restaurant!”
“Shh.” Jamie glanced around to be sure no one heard. “Not quite. And maybe not anything at all. I’m taking your class to explore the possibilities. That’s all.”
“Well, I think that’s great. What responsibilities do you cover at the brewery?” She turned to face the view, now that she’d wrung his secret from him.
“I manage the front room and we all have input into the brewing side.” Some more than others.
“Food service would be a lot more involved, you know.”
His neck burned with self-consciousne
ss. Was she implying he couldn’t handle it? “Yeah, I know.”
“Well, let me know if you need help with anything.”
“I’ll be fine.”
She bumped her hip against him. “You’re right.”
Maybe she did think he could handle it. Maybe she saw something in him. “Am I?”
“Yes,” she said softly. “It is an amazing view.”
Ah. Of course. He leaned against the railing and took it in, aware of her arm only a millimeter away from his. When goose bumps swept up her skin, he had the perfect excuse to hook her arm into his and ease her closer. A whisper of a breeze swept her hair from her neck.
“I’m glad you brought me out here,” she whispered. “But we forgot to search out Victor.”
“He saw us.”
“He did? Do you think he could tell?”
He slid his thumb along her wrist. “Oh, he could tell.”
“But how?”
Jamie met her questioning eyes. She looked absolutely puzzled, and he felt simultaneously amused and dumbfounded. “Your mouth,” he said, letting his gaze fall to her lips. “Your eyes.”
She shook her head as if she didn’t understand.
Jamie smiled. “You looked aroused,” he clarified.
The muscles of her arm jumped as a blush washed over her face. “I don’t know… I’m sure that…” When she started to pull away, Jamie wrapped his fingers into hers and held her still.
“There’s nothing wrong with arousal, Olivia. Is there?”
“I just—” She shook her head again, and when she pulled away, he let her go. “I don’t even know you.”
Alarm sparked in her wide eyes. She didn’t seem to know that it was part of the excitement. Part of what had made her cheeks flush and her lips soften when he’d kissed her. “It’s chemistry,” he murmured. “Nothing to do with common sense. The opposite of it, in fact.”
“Chemistry,” she murmured. Her eyes flickered, traveling down his body, and Jamie felt those chemical reactions begin to burn again. Her mouth curved up on one side, before she shook her head and banished her smile. “Well, thank you.”
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