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

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