She paused. Warm water rose up her forearms. Instinct told her to ignore the comment. She’d done a good job of staying out of trouble since coming to Hey Joe. It’d been a while since anyone besides Johnny had looked at her that way, though. With some hesitation, she asked, “What’s your opinion?”
He squinted at her. “You move around this bar like you’ve been doing it for years. But something doesn’t quite click. I’m wondering how you got here.”
“That’s easy,” she said. “On two legs.”
“Then what keeps you here?”
They stared at each other. He didn’t look as though he expected an answer, and that was good. She wasn’t going to give him one—it was none of his business.
“You think you have me figured out in ten minutes?” Lola asked.
“That’s ten minutes longer than it takes me for most people.” Beau kept his eyes on her face. “And that has my attention.”
“Is it hard to get your attention?”
“It’s harder to keep it,” he said, without even a threat in his voice that he might take his attention away. Even though neither of them moved, it was as if they were getting closer and closer. “But you, Lola, you’re—”
“We’re low on change,” Johnny said, turning the corner from the back office. “Can you do a bank run Monday?”
Lola plunged her hands deeper into the hot water and fumbled for the sponge. “Sure,” she said and wiped her brow with her forearm. “Yeah. I have to make the deposit anyway.”
Johnny looked from Lola to Beau.
“This is Beau,” she said. “Apparently my little show out front made him thirsty.”
Johnny nodded once and shook Beau’s hand. “Johnny. Welcome.”
“This your bar?”
“Nah. I just manage it with Lola.”
“She’s modest,” he said. “She didn’t say she was a manager.”
“Assistant manager to my boyfriend.” She looked at Beau’s empty glass. “Guess you needed that drink. Another?”
Beau reached inside his jacket and took out his wallet. “Looks like it’ll be one of those nights. Let me guess…cash only?”
Lola nodded and refilled his drink.
He put some bills on the bar and gestured toward the men he’d arrived with. “For our first round. Everything they order goes on my tab.”
Johnny blatantly stared at the cash-stuffed, dark leather wallet in Beau’s hand.
“Do they work for you?” Lola asked.
“Not yet. But I want to show them a good time.”
“So you brought them here?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. Hey Joe could definitely be a good time, but it was a lot of other things too, like rough around the edges.
“This is the type of place where they’re comfortable,” Beau said. “Which is what I’m after. A colleague suggested it, said it’s been around a while.”
“Only fifty-three years,” Johnny said. “It’s practically a landmark.”
“Longer than I realized,” Beau said. “What makes it a landmark?”
“It was the place to be in the sixties and seventies,” Johnny said. “Live music drew everyone from bikers and hipsters to actors and movie producers.”
“I guess that’s why the Hendrix reference.”
Johnny nodded. “The owner’s dad saw him perform ‘Hey Joe’ here on the Strip late one night for a small crowd. Apparently it was so magical he named the bar after it. Man, I would’ve fucking loved to have seen that. Not that I was even born yet, but still.”
Beau looked at the microphone on the empty stage. “What happened to the music?”
Johnny shrugged and leaned his hip against the counter. “The club went pay for play in the eighties when Mitch took over. Bands didn’t like that, and we lost our cred. Fans followed the music elsewhere.”
“How’s business now?” Beau asked.
“It’s all right. We get acts in here some weekends, but nothing to write home about.”
Beau shrugged. “You never know. These days, it’s all about the comeback.”
“That would be great, but it’s not pulling in half of what it used to,” Johnny said, shaking his head. “Can’t afford to keep the doors open.”
Beau glanced up around the bar. “Well, considering its history, and if it’s still got some name recognition, he should have no problem selling the place.”
“That’s the plan. Sell or shut it down.”
“Johnny,” Lola warned.
“Secret’s practically out, babe.” Johnny looked at Quartz and the other guys. “It’s just those dummies down there who know nothing about anything.”
“I take it they won’t be too thrilled,” Beau said.
“Some of them have been coming here since opening day,” Johnny said. “No, they won’t like it.”
“That’s a shame.” Beau picked up his drink. “I should get back to work. If you’ll excuse me.”
He left Johnny and Lola to get a table with the other two men.
“What’re you thinking?” Johnny asked, nudging Lola’s shin with his shoe.
She looked from Beau’s table back to Johnny. “Just that it’s been a while since I heard you talk about music like that. When’s the last time you and I went to a real concert?”
Johnny closed one eye as he thought. “Years. Concerts usually happen at night. We don’t get a lot of nights off together.”
“We should ask Mitch for one soon. They can survive one night without either of us.”
Johnny kissed Lola on the forehead. “I would, but he’s got a lot on his plate right now. Let’s see how things work out these next few weeks.”
“Oh, I remember the last time we went to a show that wasn’t here,” Lola said. “Beastie Boys, Hollywood Bowl.” She smiled as the memory played out on Johnny’s face. “And then…”
“That’s right.” He paused. “The night we had that huge argument.”
Lola nodded and leaned toward him. “Which then became the night of the drunken angry sex.” Her heart kicked up a notch. “What would you say to an encore? A bottle of tequila, a show and you getting lucky?”
“An encore? We must not be thinking of the same night,” Johnny said. “We both drank way too much. I don’t even remember what we fought about, just that a table lamp paid the price.”
“Me neither, but I do remember one of the best orgasms I’ve ever had,” Lola said. Her ass throbbed. It wasn’t the only time Johnny had spanked her, but it was the first and last time he’d done it like he’d meant it. It’d been like sleeping with a stranger after having the same partner for years.
Johnny shook his head. “I don’t understand. You want us to have another blowout fight?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “Not fight. I just think a night out could be good for us.”
“That’s not something I want to recreate,” he said, turning away. “But I promise, once things get sorted here, we’ll do something for ourselves.”
Lola frowned. That night had always stuck with her in a deranged, inexplicable way. There’d been something crackling in the air. She’d assumed the same was true for Johnny, but apparently he’d experienced something else—something entirely different.
Beau headed back toward the bar, a slight swagger in his step. He didn’t look as though he’d hesitate a moment before delivering a hard slap on her rear end.
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Titles By Jessica Hawkins
More info at www.jessicahawkins.net/books
New release! White Monarch Trilogy
In the de la Rosa family, old grudges run deeper than loyalty, and betrayal is a three-letter word: war. But this feud isn’t between enemies. It’s between brothers. And I’m the prize.
I was born a princess among criminals. An untouchable among thieves. Heiress to a life others have killed for, and one I'd do anything to escape. I vowed not to leave without Diego, my first love and best friend, but if his ruthless brother has his way, I won’
t leave at all. Cristiano de la Rosa is a man as big and bold as his legend. Once upon a time, he was our cartel’s best soldier . . . until he became my family’s worst enemy.
A man like Cristiano will bend fate to his will to get what he wants. Even if it means dragging me to hell—and tearing me from his brother's arms.
“She is mine.” Three words from two different men.
A life, future, and love I don’t get to choose.
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Violent Delights
Violent Ends
Violent Triumphs
* * *
RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU
"A sexy, powerful man in a suit...I was hooked!"--A.L. Jackson, NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author
There's a thin line between love and hate . . . and it cuts right through the middle of their office.
Bad boys run right over good girls like Georgina Keller, but after a confidence-shattering breakup, she's determined not to let anyone at her new workplace push her around. Especially not the brooding creative director, a "bad boy of publishing" who's made it clear she's enemy #1.
Sebastian Quinn's taste for fast cars, late nights, and beautiful women may have gotten him to the top of a leading New York magazine, but the reputation that made him is suddenly threatening to end his career. And even though everyone says pretty, pint-sized Georgina is there to help, he can't help thinking she's hoping to land the final blow--and maybe even his job.
Georgina can help Modern Man shed its bad reputation, but in order to do that, she'll have to start at the top--and no amount of rakish charm or inconvenient attraction will distract her.
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* * *
SOMETHING IN THE WAY SERIES
“The best slow-burn romance I have ever read.”—Penelope Ward, NY Times Best-selling Author
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. Under the sweat and dirt, Manning Sutter was as handsome as the sun was bright. He was older, darker, experienced. I wore a smiley-face t-shirt and had never even been kissed. Yet we saw something in each other that would link us in ways that couldn’t be broken...no matter how hard we tried.
I loved Manning before I knew the meaning of the word. I was too young, he said. I would wait. Through all the carefully-chosen words hiding what we knew to be true, through his struggle to keep me innocent, and through infinitely-starry nights—I would wait. But I’d learn that life isn’t always fair. That no matter how much you achieve, none of it matters if you suffer the heartbreak that comes with falling for someone you can never have. Because even though I saw Manning first, that didn’t matter. My older sister saw him next.
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* * *
SLIP OF THE TONGUE Series
Slip of the Tongue, #1
"Addictive. Painful. Captivating. Tumultuous. Juicy. Sexy. Slip of the Tongue is an authentic, raw, and emotionally gripping must read that I just loved. A highly recommended favorite of mine.”—Angie's Dreamy Reads
Her husband doesn’t want her anymore. The man next door would give up everything to have her.
Slip of the Tongue on Amazon/Kindle Unlimited.
The First Taste, #2
“The First Taste is a delicious read that will have you craving seconds. I promise!”—Kim Karr, NYT Bestselling Author
Andrew Beckwith has already devoted his life to one girl—his daughter, Bell. As far as he’s concerned, she’s all he needs. Amelia Van Ecken is an independent, smart, and savvy businesswoman who doesn’t have time for sex, much less love. Andrew and Amelia are complete opposites, but on one thing they agree—relationships are overrated. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be rated X. Because when sharp-tongued Amelia and stubborn Andrew cross paths, sparks fly—and burn.
The First Taste is a standalone spin-off of Slip of the Tongue.
The First Taste on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
Yours to Bare, #3
“Sensual, evocative, and spellbinding.”—K.L. Kreig, USA Today Bestselling Author
“The most provocative romance of the year” and a Top 10 Amazon bestseller.
FINN
No matter how cruel it's been to me in the past, I've never been able to flip fate the bird. I'm a romantic at heart. So when fate drops a leather-bound journal at my feet, I know I should walk away.
I don't. I pick her up, bend her spine, spread her pages. From the first word, I'm a goner. The owner didn't give me access to her most intimate desires, but I devour them anyway. Her private darkness, her candid, sensual poetry--it all goes down like warm milk. And from that point forward, I drink, eat, and sleep her.
HALSTON
I went to his apartment and let him take my picture. Just once, to see how it would feel. I'm not his to look at, to inspire, to touch, but when he watches me through his lens, it gives me a high I don't want to come down from...
My journal is the one place I can be myself—as long as I can tie it up and put it away when I'm finished. But when Finn undoes the bow, he pulls strings that could unravel each of us.
Yours to Bare on Amazon/Kindle Unlimited.
* * *
THE CITYSCAPE SERIES
The Cityscape Series is the compelling story of a forbidden love affair between a married woman and the man who could be her soul mate. Start the completed trilogy reviewers have called "gripping," "sexy" and "smart."
Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she's created the life she always envisioned. But when Olivia locks eyes with David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, across a crowded room, he challenges Olivia to confront the life she’s built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness...or regret.
Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love?
And can David respect that line?
The Cityscape Series on Amazon.
* * *
EXPLICITLY YOURS SERIES
(Download the first book free!)
“Pretty Woman meets Indecent Proposal in Explicitly Yours, a provocative series that’ll leave your heart racing.”—Louise Bay, USA Today Bestselling Author
Lola Winters doesn’t think she can escape her life as a waitress— until she receives a shocking proposition from a sexy stranger. Wealthy businessman Beau Olivier wants Lola for a night, and in order to get her, he’s willing to make her dreams come true.
But what if one night isn't enough, and Beau isn’t ready to say goodbye in the morning?
Explicitly Yours Series on Amazon.
* * *
STRICTLY OFF LIMITS: A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE NOVELLA
Alexandra James gave up her spring break for an offer she couldn’t refuse: a week-long job that would earn her enough money to buy her way out of a broken heart. But if she thought her new boss would let her off easy because he’s her father’s best friend, she couldn’t have been more wrong.
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Right Where I Want You
Explicitly Yours Series
Possession
Domination
Provocation
Obsession
Something in the Way Series
Something in the Way
Somebody Else’s Sky
Move the Stars
Lake + Manning
Slip of the Tongue Standalone Series
Slip of the Tongue
The First Taste
Yours to Bare
The Cityscape Series
Strictly Off Limits: A Forbidden Romance Novella
About the Author
Jessica Hawkins is a USA Today bestselling author known for her “emotionally gripping” and “off-the-charts hot” romance. Dubbed “queen of angst” by both peers and readers for her smart and provocative work, she’s garnered a cult-like following of fans who love to be torn apart…and put
back together.
She writes romance both at home in California and around the world, a coffee shop traveler who bounces from café to café with just a laptop, headphones, and coffee cup. She loves to keep in close touch with her readers, mostly via Facebook, Instagram, and her mailing list.
For more information:
www.jessicahawkins.net
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Copyright
Slip of the Tongue
Cover Photo © Tyler Seielstad Photography
Cover Design © Okay Creations.
Slip of the Tongue Series: The Complete Boxed Set Page 107
