Read Online Chance Encounters by Jenna Pizzi - Free Book Online Page B

howling laugh. “Darling, I wouldn’t need a
hotel room to do what I want to do with you. I am a free spirit.”
    Emma didn’t move. He laughed at how serious she was. “There
is a nice little bar in here, and I happen to know the bartender. Come on,
world class martinis.”
    Emma let out the breath she had been holding. What was she
so nervous about? She shook her head and followed him inside.
    They walked up to the bar and sat down. “Well hello, weary
traveler. I heard a rumor you were in town. How long are you in visiting for?”
the pretty bartender with vibrant red hair asked Jacob. Emma wondered how well
the two of them actually knew each other. She felt silly for wondering such
things. Jacob owed her nothing. They barely knew each other, although she felt
like she knew him completely. They weren’t a couple. He was just someone who
was being kind to her in her times of trouble. The pretty red head poured two
orange martinis and placed them in front of Emma and Jacob. “On the house,
guys. Enjoy!” She winked at Jacob and moved on to her next customer.
    Jacob picked up his glass and held it in front of him. “I
feel we should make a toast.”
    Emma picked up her glass. “Okay! What to?”
    He grinned at her. “To fate, to chance encounters, to
tonight.” Their glasses clinked together and they both took a sip. Emma could
feel the burn of the alcohol as it slid down her throat. Before she knew it,
she had downed the entire glass.
    The bartender came back over and smiled at her. “It’s good,
isn’t it?” She mixed up two more, slid them across the counter, and walked
away. Emma could feel the alcohol working its magic; she was beginning to
loosen up. She always thought she was a fun person, but sadly she was learning
tonight that she really wasn’t.
    Her thoughts wandered off to Matt. Had she pushed him away?
Was she so predictable that he was bored with her? Did she not know how to have
fun anymore? Jacob snapped her out of her thoughts by handing her a third
martini. She let out a loud burst of laughter when she looked at the glass.
People comment that she tended to laugh like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when
Richard Gear snapped the jewelry box closed on her hands and she burst out
laughing. Emma finished her second glass and picked up the third one.
    “Well, kind sir, if I didn’t know better I’d swear you were
trying to get me drunk.”
    He reached over and tucked a hair behind her ear as he
leaned in. “Is it working?”
    She burst out laughing again.
    Placing her glass down, she grabbed hold of Jacob’s hand and
pulled him out of his seat.
    “Where are you taking me, ducky? We can’t … you know, here.”
    She smiled and giggled. “I want to dance. Will you dance
with me, Jacob?”
    Someone close by made a snide remark. “This isn’t the type
of place for dancing. You people should just go to another bar.” Jacob didn’t
like to be told what to do, so he grabbed Emma and pulled her to him, twirling
her around as the music played. Her head was spinning, but she felt so free,
uninhibited. The person who voiced his complaint to them about the dancing went
and fetched the manager, who in turn was headed in their direction. Jacob
grabbed Emma’s hand and yelled across the lounge to his friend behind the bar,
before they took off running out the door.
    They ran down the sidewalk and around to the next block.
They were both laughing and trying to catch their breath when Jacob pulled Emma
to him. He wrapped one arm around her back while he cupped her face in his
hand. He leaned down and gently but passionately kissed her. She gave in to
him. She felt fireworks going off. Her entire body tingled. She reacted to the
slightest touch from him. He pulled away first, to look at her face. Emma
remained in place, unable to catch her breath. He trailed his fingers along the
side of her face. “You are absolutely beautiful, Emma.”
    A light shone in their eyes. They both looked over and