Jake pushed the flour sack aside with his foot, then lowered himself to his knees in front of her. Too close, way too close.
Tamryn sucked in a breath, eyelevel with pecs so hard she wanted to run her tongue along the ridges.
“You’re making me crazy, TB. I’m not sure what’s going on in my head anymore.”
“You make me crazy too, Jake.” She closed her eyes, unable to look into his gorgeous blue gaze another second.
Jake ran his thumb across her cheek as a single tear escaped, then chuckled softly.
She opened her eyes warily. “What’s so funny?”
He held up his thumb to show the smeared flour paste he’d just made by wiping her tear. “You spilled the flour,” he whispered.
She licked her lips. “You sat in it.”
“I did.”
“You’re covered in it,” she whispered.
“Not yet.”
Tamryn smirked, then picked up a handful of flour. She rose up on her knees to better even out the height difference, holding his gaze as her heart ran a marathon within her chest, then started at his shoulder, smearing the flour downward.
His hand flew up and he caught her wrist, then pressed it against his chest. His heartbeat pounded beneath her palm.
Tamryn’s eyes widened and she inhaled through her nose, finally allowing herself to breathe him in. Her pulse kicked into overdrive.
“I’m sorry I’ve acted like such a jerk.” Jake leaned forward, bringing his lips to hers, tentatively at first, a feather soft kiss that sent tingles out across her face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Nothing. She pushed toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his. He opened his mouth and she followed, then he ran his tongue along the length of hers, the heady scent of whiskey on his breath. Tasting her, suckling her tongue and then repeating the motion, Jake drove every doubt from her mind. He wrapped his arms around her back, hands on each shoulder blade, holding her tightly to the length of his torso.
Spicy and warm, his kiss was everything she’d imagined it would be, a whiskey burn that curled around her heart and warmed every inch of her body.
Tamryn’s pulse sped, the rhythm an ecstatic song of finally.
Finally, Jake’s lips were on hers.
Finally, Jake’s body pressed against hers.
Finally, Jake’s arms holding her close.
Finally, Jake.
She held him tighter, pressing her hips into his, her patience wavering. Savor the moment she’s waited for all her life and make it last as long as possible, or rip his clothes off and jump his bones right here on the kitchen floor?
Decisions, decisions.
Jake rocked his hips, pressing his hardness into her, and a moan escaped his lips. He pulled back, gripping her biceps and holding her at arms’ length, his eyes wide. “Oh, shit, TB. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t—”
Tamryn opened her mouth to speak, to tell him ‘yes, yes you absolutely should’, but he stood without a word and raced from the room, leaving her in a stupor.
She touched her fingers to her lips, then shook herself from the haze. “Jake! Wait!” She stumbled on weakened legs to stand, slipped on the flour, then ran into the living room, searching for him, hoping he’d turn around and talk to her. If he would give her a chance, she could tell him she’s always wanted this, always wanted him. She’d tell him he’d had her heart since long before he even knew she existed. No apologies.
“Jake!” She ran to his room and flung the door open. Empty. She stepped into the master bathroom, empty as well. Had he rushed to The Bar? She dusted the flour from her knees and hands, then the roar of the bike shook the house, and she ran outside in time to watch dust kick up behind him as he sped off into the night.
“Jake!” she shouted after him, but it was too little, too late, and he was too far gone.
Chapter
Eleven
Jake had been a ghost for three days. She’d smell him in the morning, a hint of his cologne tainting the air of the house, teasing her with the promise that he’d been there, but he left before she awoke and returned after she went to bed. She’d stayed up for him that first night, but he hadn’t returned, his absence resulting in images of him running to Gennie.
Tonight was the first time Tamryn had seen him since their kiss, but he hadn’t said a word to her. The only acknowledgement he’d given that she actually existed at all was the occasional glance he’d send her way. Unreadable glances. Did he regret their kiss?
Obviously. What a dumb question.
But she wished he’d talk to her, explain his feelings so she could explain hers, finally get it all out in the open so she wouldn’t continue to drown in her love for him.
She eyed the shiny new digital jukebox mounted to the wall by the stage—another upgrade Jake hated, but she was secretly excited about.
“Just pretend it isn’t there, hon. You know how Randy is with his love of all things Nascar,” Gennie said on a sigh. “We’ll never get to play any songs at this rate.” She returned her attention to the playlist they’d been jotting down all evening.
It was almost closing time, and they had yet to play even one track on the new machine.
Glancing over at Randy, who now one-eyed the television, Tamryn shook her head. “I think there’s a chance we may get our way sooner rather than later. Hand me another beer.” She accidentally let her eyes wander to Jake, who watched her like a hawk, his face completely void of emotion.
Gennie chuckled as Randy nearly ran his cue through the felt. “I like your style, hon. This one’s on the house. For the music’s sake, of course.” Gennie winked, then cracked open a Bud and pushed it across the well, stopping just inches from Tamryn’s waiting hand. Tamryn looked up to find Gennie’s mouth dropped open and her eyes wide.
“Gen?”
Jake whistled through his teeth.
The customers all fell silent, and Tamryn turned to follow Jake’s gaze to the gorgeous blonde strolling into The Bar.
“Hot damn, I love city girls,” Reed whispered.
“I love city girls with tits the size of—”
“Randy!” Tamryn hissed.
Jake straightened, ignoring his friends.
“She’s probably a yank, anyway.” Randy took a swig of his beer. “An uppity city girl. I ain’t got time for stress like that.”
Tamryn watched Jake as he assessed the newcomer, his eyes wide and his lips pulling into a slow smile.
Look at me. Look at me, Jake.
Hell, he could look over at Gennie, for all Tamryn cared, and it would be a heck of a lot better than the way he watched this stranger.
Heart on the floor, Tamryn finally tore her gaze away from Jake and focused on the customer. Blonde hair pulled up into a loose bun—messily sexy—and curves that would make Jessica Rabbit green with envy.
“Motherfucker,” Gennie hissed.
Tamryn closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, composing herself. She had no room to be upset; Jake wasn’t hers. Frankly, Gennie had more claim to the man than she ever would. She turned to Gennie, mustering some sort of compassion for the woman who frequently slept with the man of Tamryn’s dreams. They’d kissed. Once. And that probably didn’t even count since he’d hightailed it away from her afterwards. Gennie had been sleeping with him for the past year at least. “I’m sure he hasn’t even noticed her, Gen.” Tamryn’s stomach sank further with every word.
Gennie met Tamryn’s stare, her eyebrows raised. “Are you kidding me? Them two have already eye-fucked the livin’ daylights out of each other. I’m just hopin’ I can join them.” Gennie ran her tongue along her plum bottom lip. “That skirt’s so tight you can see her religion.”
Tamryn frowned, swallowing the giant lump in her throat.
“Damn. Looks like Jake’s fixin’ to go to church.”
Tamryn whipped her head around, knowing she should leave, should look away, but unable to move.
Jake and the woman were in a stand-off, clearly, and the hush in the room was heady enough to swipe a knife through.
Tamryn felt the heavy weight of Reed’s gaze and turned to face him. He frowned in sympathy and she clenched her jaw, counted to ten, then looked back at the bar and straightened her shoulders. Imagine how much pity those knowing eyes would hold if she’d told him about the kiss.
She’d seen Jake with plenty of women; why should this one be any different?
The blonde tore her eyes away from Jake long enough to flag Tamryn over.
“What are you waiting for? Go take that woman’s drink order and hopefully she’ll order for her husband, too.” Gennie glanced at the door. “Maybe he’s right behind her.” She closed her eyes. “Lord in heaven, let him be right behind her.”
Tamryn watched Gennie mutter a silent prayer—maybe she wasn’t as cool with this as she wanted to seem—then grabbed her tray and headed over to the table, her focus on Colby’s dog tags hanging just above the woman’s head. Of course she’d sit in that booth. Tamryn stopped a foot away, ran her tongue over her teeth, and met the woman’s fierce green eyes, forcing a fake smile. “Waiting for someone, Ma’am?”
The woman forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Gin martini. Dry. Shaken. Two olives. Skewered, not just tossed into the glass.” She held Tamryn’s gaze for much too long, unwavering.
Tamryn raised her eyebrows and considered asking the customer to clarify her gin preference, or nudging her about her absent husband, but the woman raised one eyebrow in silent challenge and Tamryn turned on her heels and left.
Gennie followed Tamryn’s every move as she returned to the bar. She waved her hands, motioning for Tamryn to hurry. “Well? Is she alone?”
“She only ordered one martini, so…”
Gennie snickered.
Tamryn squinted. “What?”
“Randy was right; she’s a highfalutin’ city girl. Jake will lose interest. Always has been a sucker for a good whiskey girl.” She turned away from Tamryn and made the martini. With vodka.
Whoops.
Careful not to slosh any liquid over the lip of the glass, Tamryn approached the corner table once more as the woman unbuttoned the top button of her blouse, then reached for the martini before Tamryn could even set it down.
Tamryn’s lungs tightened.
“What can you tell me about him?” the woman asked, her piercing green eyes still locked on Jake.
Tamryn turned, her cheeks flushing and her heart breaking in her chest, met Reed’s knowing eyes again, ignoring Jake completely so she wouldn’t have to witness the way he eye-fucked this customer. Every cell in her body begged her to run to Jake, to shield him, wrap herself around him like a cocoon, but that was crazy.
Tamryn turned back around, deciding to play dumb. “Who do you mean?”
The woman glanced at Tamryn’s cheeks, then smirked. “I think you know exactly who I mean. Tall, gorgeous, and deadly over there.”
“Oh.” Of course. Why couldn’t she want Reed? Or Randy? “That’s Jake Johnson. He’s lived here all his life.”
“Jake Johnson,” she said slowly, tasting the words.
Tamryn’s skin crawled. “Yes, Ma’am. He’s the—”
The woman raised her hand. “I’ll stop you right there. Married?”
“No, Ma’am, but—”
“Thank you. I’ll need another of these in about ten minutes, please.” She returned her attention to Jake, and Tamryn couldn’t move. She should say something, do something, anything…
Anyone who knew Jake could guess what would happen next.
Chapter
Eleven
Jake hadn’t yet been able to tear his eyes away from her. As Randy so indecently noted, she was gifted up top, but that wasn’t what mesmerized Jake. The woman’s hips spread out beneath her tiny waist like an hourglass, and with each stride across his bar, they’d called to Jake, drawing his attention to the perfected swing in her step and the fullness of her ass, whispering a promise.
A promise of forgetting.
He’d do anything—anyone—if that would get his mind off TB and that damned kiss.
He’d given her space the last few days. Or maybe he’d needed the space. He’d kissed Colby’s little sister. After he’d grilled her, of course, because nothing spells romance like interrogating someone about their ex-boyfriend.
But, damn, he’d kissed her. Really kissed her. The kind of kiss that would have led to fucking her right there on the kitchen floor.
That was the opposite of watching out for her. How could he do such a thing? He couldn’t have feelings for her. It wasn’t right. She deserved more than a guy like him. A guy who fucked for fun and rarely stayed long enough to get a girl’s name.
TB deserved far more than that.
Dipshit.
What the fuck was wrong with him?
This was TB. Colby’s sister. You don’t kiss TB.
When this woman slid into his favorite booth, he couldn’t help but smile, as if her random seating choice was some sort of sign, Colby’s way of telling him to stay the fuck away from such dangerous thoughts about TB. Jake bent over the pool table, pretending to position himself for a shot, and waited for her to search him out, his breath held in anticipation. He wanted a chance with her tonight. Just one. No strings. Just a taste to get the taste of TB’s mouth out of his mind.
Finally, the blonde unabashedly assessed his every inch as though she thought she weren’t under the scrutiny of everyone in his bar. Or maybe that didn’t bother her one bit. The thought intrigued Jake even further.
Slowly, her eyes travelled up, up, up…
Bingo.
Her eyes widened.
Jake smirked.
“And another one bites the dust,” Reed whispered, chuckling under his breath.
“Damn that Johnson charm,” Randy slurred.
“It’s all in the eyes, Randy. Gets ‘em every time, huh, Jake?”
His friends disappeared into the surroundings, his focus tunneled. She took a long pull of her martini, then raised one eyebrow. Jake smiled, hung up his cue, and stepped forward. Motion beneath the table caught his attention as she very deliberately uncrossed and re-crossed her legs. This woman meant business.
Her attention now focused on the moisture beading up at the base of her glass, she didn’t catch him adjust the tightening in his pants, and he hoped she also didn’t catch Randy slap him on the back as he stepped away from the pool table.
Gennie might be watching, but knowing her, she’d want to join in. Jake imagined a scenario with the feisty redhead and this sultry blonde. He smiled. Not a bad idea.
TB might be watching, but—
He shook his head. Colby’s little sister was none of Jake’s concern, and he wasn’t hers. They’d made a mistake; one that would never happen again. Jake would watch after TB, make sure that Charlie kid didn’t hurt her, but that’s where his involvement stopped. Where it had to stop.
Regardless of how that resolve tightened a confusing grip around his heart.
Jake slid his way into the booth, resting his forearms on the table, the wood creaking beneath his weight. She smelled like honeyed flowers, if that was a thing.
She met his gaze, and a faint gasp followed. “Took you long enough.”
Jake licked his lips, grinning. “You’ve only been here ten minutes.”
“You noticed.”
“The air shifted when you walked in.” He’d heard the line from a customer who later left with the woman he’d been hitting on. If it worked for that guy…
She tilted her head.
“I’m Jake.”
“Johnson. I know. Sage.”
Hmm. He was at a disadvantage. Had this woman asked TB about him? He fought the urge to glance over at TB. “Just Sage?”
“Yep.” She toyed with the next button of her blouse, exposing more of the soft crests of her breasts. “May I steal you away from your game for ten minutes?”
He smiled.
She licked her lips, focusing on his mouth.
“Ten minutes?” He shook his head, then stood, extending his hand. “I have all the time in the world.”
If she’d help cleanse him of his dangerous thoughts about his best friend’s little sister, he’d give her all the time she wanted. He’d fuck TB right out of his mind.
He pulled the woman from the booth, helping her to her feet. When she looked past him at TB, his stomach sank. He knew TB watched them, but he’d been trying to ignore the weight of her presence, and the way it intensified the sinking feeling in his gut that he couldn’t shake to save his life.
“Excuse me for a moment,” the woman whispered. She turned, brushing her breasts against his arm in the process.
The blonde chick released Jake’s hand and strolled across the floor.
Tamryn’s heart froze in her chest.
The woman grabbed her cocktail, finished it in one long gulp, then set the empty martini glass back on Tamryn’s tray. She leaned forward, bringing her mouth just shy of Tamryn’s ear. “There’s a difference between vodka and gin, honey.” She started to turn away, then paused. “Close your mouth; you look like a tourist.”
Tamryn slammed her mouth shut, and as she watched the woman sashay back to Jake, it took everything in Tamryn to keep from crying right there on the empty dancefloor. She inhaled a breath, jumping as the door banged shut behind Jake and the beautiful stranger.
Tamryn turned on her heels and raced to the bar, slamming her tray down a bit louder than she intended. She quickly glanced around the room, sadly noting all eyes on her. Was there anyone left that didn’t know about her feelings for Jake?
“Oh, honey.” Gennie placed her hand over Tamryn’s and rubbed her thumb back and forth over Tamryn’s knuckles. “I had no idea. I mean”—she glanced around the bar as Tamryn had just seconds before—“it seems I’m the only one who didn’t know. But I had no idea.”
Tamryn yanked her hand out from beneath Gennie’s. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Whiskey Burned (Flawed Heroes Book 2) Page 7
