Read Online More Than One Night by Marie Tuhart - Free Book Online

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