She let out a soft sigh when he lifted his head. Her blue eyes were glazed over and Jake fought back a satisfied smile. She wanted him, regardless of her denial.
“It’s good between us,” he whispered.
“No.” Her lashes drifted shut.
“Beth.”
“You’ve got exactly one second to let her go before I beat the crap out of you,” an angry male voice boomed.
Jake twisted his head to see a very large man standing outside the open door, his fists raised. Releasing her, he maneuvered her behind him. But Beth leaned around him.
“Angelo, it’s okay.”
Ah, so it was someone she knew. Relaxing his muscles. “I’m Jake Masters,” he said holding out his hand. “A friend of Beth’s.”
“Friend? That’s a good one,” Beth muttered, but the blond giant continued to glare at him. Then he dropped his hands to his sides, wiped one on his apron before saying, “Friend, huh? That’s an understatement. Explains a lot though.” A calloused hand enclosed his.
“Angelo!” Beth stepped around Jake and glared at both of them.
The man called Angelo grinned at her. “Overindulgence, Beth? He’s an indulgence all right.”
Jake stared at Beth as her face turned red, and her lips pressed into a thin line. He ached to kiss those rosy lips until they took their last breaths together.
“Shut up, Angelo.” She took a step forward, but Jake captured her arm stopping her progress.
“Now sweetheart, you know I can’t do that.” His gaze went to where Jake’s hand was on her arm. “It’s her call, Jake. If she says let her go, you let her go. If you don’t then I’ll have no choice but to deck you. She’s my friend. No hard feelings if it comes to that.”
Jake hid a grin as Beth’s cheeks turned crimson and there was fire brewing in her blue eyes, he had a feeling that neither Angelo nor himself was safe when she blew.
“I understand.” Jake inclined his head, but he didn’t release her, either.
“Please save me from this macho male crap.” She yanked her arm from Jake’s grasp. “Angelo, back inside before the boss starts searching for you.” She pointed to the door, then turned to him. “And you, Jake Masters, go home or wherever, as long as you’re not here.”
“Okay, okay.” Angelo held his hands out in front of him. “I’ll go back inside but only because you asked me to.” He turned, then stopped. “You’ve got five minutes. If you’re not back inside, I’m coming back out here.”
Beth sighed as Angelo went back through the door, then turned to him. “Go home, Jake.”
“Not without you.”
She ran her hand down over her face. “It was a one-night stand. That’s all it was. That’s all it can be.”
Jake shook his head. “It was more and you know it.” Then someone shouted Beth’s name.
“I’ve got to get back inside before Angelo decides to play knight in shining armor.”
Placing his palms on her cheeks, he framed her face and leaned down. “I’m not giving up.” He pressed a soft kiss on her lips, before releasing her and strolling down the alleyway. She’d understand soon that he didn’t give up.
Air escaped from Beth’s lung in a whoosh as he sauntered away and her gaze focused in on his tight ass before he turned out of her sight. Jake was gone. At least for the moment. But she knew from his words and the fire in his eyes, he’d be back. Then what would she do?
And who had she been kidding? A good-bye kiss? She must have been out of her mind. The second his lips touched hers, the world melted away and the memories of their time together Friday night flooded in. Memories which were better off forgotten.
If only she could forget. She wouldn’t allow this to be any more than what it was, one damn night. She wouldn’t be like her mother, relying on a man only to be bitterly disappointed when that man had feet of clay. No, she’d made a promise to herself a long time ago, she could only rely on herself.
Smoothing back her hair, she strode inside the restaurant. Angelo was waiting for her. “So that’s the new man in your life. No wonder you’re out of sorts.”
“He’s not in my life,” she muttered, pushing past Angelo and going back to her station behind the bar.
“Tell me another one, sweetheart,” Angelo whispered in her ear. “Judging by the kiss he laid on you, he’s not about to give up.”
Beth’s cheeks heated again. “Angelo, you didn’t see a thing, okay?” If Carla found out what had transpired in the alley and with whom, Beth would never hear the end of it.
Angelo’s eyes twinkled and he nodded. “If that’s the way you want it.”
“It is.” She rubbed her forehead where a headache was starting. Then a male voice bellowed Angelo’s name. “Get back to work, before Pietro has a heart attack.”
Watching Angelo walk away, she trusted him not to say anything to Carla, at least for tonight. Tomorrow would be another story, but for now she was safe.
Several new customers were at the bar and Beth began taking orders. After a few minutes, she’d regained her balance and poise. Maybe Jake coming here was just the tonic she needed. It reminded her that a man like him didn’t belong in her life. If only her heart would stop going crazy at the mere thought of him.
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’ve 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.”