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

fired,” she whispered, glancing to her left. Jake followed her gaze to the men sitting at the bar. Thankfully their attention was on the football game.
    “Have dinner with me when you get off from work?” He was pushing it and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop himself. He didn’t want her to disappear on him again.
    “No. You’ve got to go, Jake.”
    “All you have to do is say yes, then I’ll leave.”
    She shook her head. He knew she wasn’t going to be a pushover, but he wasn’t about to give up.
    “Hey, Beth, can I get another beer,” yelled one of the men.
    “You got it.” She tugged her hands from his and went back behind the bar.
    “I’ll have a Champagne Royale,” said Jake.
    “What?” She stared at him.
    “Champagne Royale, to drink.”
    “Ah, sure. Let me get the beer first.”
    She quickly filled the beer mugs, then she was back in front of him mixing the champagne and Chambord raspberry liqueur in a flute, before setting it in front of him.
    “Sorry it isn’t Ardeene, but that’s a little pricey for us.” Her fingers lingered on the stem of the glass.
    “It’s fine.” He reached for the flute, their fingers brushing. Beth all but snatched her hand back as he raised the glass and took a sip.
    “Why are you here, Jake?”
    “Because you are.”
    “Stop saying things like that.”
    “Why? It’s the truth.” His gut tightened when he thought about how she left him on Saturday morning.
    “For goodness sake, Jake. Get it through your head. It was sex. One night out of three hundred and sixty-four.”
    “Do you really think it was enough to satisfy me?” He rose to his feet. Reaching over the bar, he cupped her chin. “Are you telling me you don’t burn for me, like I burn for you?”
    “Stop it, please.”
    The truth was in her eyes. She wanted him, but she didn’t want to admit it. Emotionally she was holding back, something she hadn’t done on Friday night.
    He wanted the open, fresh, totally Beth back. A woman who chased away the demons of loneliness and reminded him he was all man and his male passion was still alive and kicking.
    “You want me as much as I want you. Don’t fight it.”
    “We can’t always get what we want.”
    “I always get what I want.”
    Her eyes widened once again, then she said, “Let me go, Jake.”
    “Not yet.”
    “This isn’t open for discussion. Release me.”
    Possessiveness like he’d never experienced surged in him. He wanted her by his side and in his life. Someone tapped him on the shoulder. Releasing her chin, he turned.
    “Sorry, buddy,” said a male voice.
    The words registered when Jake was dragged off his stool and laid flat by a right hook.

Chapter Five
    “Angelo,” Beth cried out, watching the patrons jump off their stools and circle the pair, the football game forgotten.
    She ran around the bar and pushed her way through the crowd. Jake sat on the floor, a small trickle of blood running from his lip to his chin.
    “Hell of a right hook,” Jake said to Angelo in a calm voice. Beth expected him to at least be angry, but there was nothing but laugher in his eyes.
    Angelo shrugged. “Comes in handy sometimes.” Angelo held out a hand to Jake. “Sorry about hitting you, but I did warn you to release Beth when she asked.”
    “Yeah, you did.” Jake put his hand into Angelo’s and Beth shook her head when Angelo pulled him to his feet. “I like you, Angelo, but watch yourself. Beth is a big girl and more than able to take care of herself.”
    “Yes, she can. But I’ve seen your kind before.”
    Jake eyebrows rose. “I won’t hurt her.”
    “You better not or you’ll have to answer to me and next time I won’t pull my punch.”
    Beth couldn’t believe these two. “If all this male bonding is done…” She glared at the pair as they turned to her. “What?” Men. Her stomach was in knots. She hated confrontations like this.
    “I’m fine.” Jake grinned at her and her heart stuttered. Damn it! He