Read Online Mr. August by Jan Romes - Free Book Online

good-looking, dark-haired thirty-something guy sat reading the sports page of the newspaper and taking an occasional swig from a long-neck bottle of beer. He looked up from his paper and gave her a grin. Wow! Deep blue eyes. Million-dollar smile. Biceps that said “look at me”. He was exactly the type of guy that could make her heart burst into a gymnastic routine. Oddly, no cartwheels. No back flips. Not even the hint of a somersault.
    Max watched Libby come into the bar and felt his gloom slip away. She was the most stunning creature with her holey jeans, leather choker and pink hair. He sucked in a breath. Every day since they’d met he’d fantasized about gently tugging on that choker to bring their mouths together. If he had any kahoonies, he’d do it…right here, right now. He’d kissed her the day he begged for a ride into town, but he hadn’t given it his all. He was afraid to show her how much she excited him. Man did she excite him—in ways no other woman ever had. Libby made him want to do crazy stuff, like kiss her in a bar…or fall in the lake again to get her to remove the wall that stood between them. And if her clothes came off in the process, he wouldn’t mind that either. Libby Griffin turned him on and drove him nuts at the same time. Everything about her threatened his man-badge, but truthfully, he’d give up the damned thing to be with her.
    Libby sat at a table by the window so it was doubtful she could see him. He was thankful to have a few minutes to gauge her mood. She drummed her fingers on the table, folded the napkin into an accordion and fringed the edges of the paper placement. She was clearly on edge. He had a pretty good idea why.
    Maybe he should just join her and get it over with. If she told him to get lost, he’d know where he stood and she could settle down. He wouldn’t, but that was his problem.
    He was about to make his move when he noticed the guy at the table next to Libby sizing her up behind his newspaper. An unexpected surge of jealousy spiked through him. Max flexed his fists and appraised his competition. The guy must’ve won some sort of gene-pool lottery. Great hair. Freaking good looks. Women tripped over themselves to get a guy like him to notice them. He considered his own looks. He was in dire need of a haircut and the growth of his beard was getting out of hand. All Libby had to do was compare him to pretty boy and her choice would be easy.
    ****
    While Libby waited for her food, she blasted herself for not following Steph’s suggestion and checking on Max. Maybe he was at the hospital at that very minute. She let out a heavy sigh. She’d allowed embarrassment to keep her away, which now seemed silly. They were both adults. She’d seen naked bodies. He’d seen naked bodies. It was no big deal. But she’d made it one.
    A feeling of being watched made her shift in the chair. She turned to find the guy next to her checking her out. He’d laid his newspaper aside and was giving her strict attention while nursing his bottle of beer. Caught looking, Libby offered a half-smile.
    In a flash, he was at her table. He’d obviously taken the smile as an invitation. “Mind if I join you?”
    Libby put a hand up to keep him from sitting down. “Actually, I won’t be very good company. I have to inhale my food when it comes and then rush off. I want to get home before it gets dark.” That was a bit of a stretch since it was one o’clock in the afternoon and wouldn’t get dark until five.
    The guy slid into the seat anyway. “So you’re not from around here?”
    Sweet , she thought sarcastically. Handsome but clueless. “I’m from Columbus.”
    “I love Columbus.” That million-dollar smile notched to a billion and the fool scooted his chair closer.
    Oh for the love of…
    “I’m Nick Stockton.” He thrust his hand at Libby. She so wanted to grab her coat instead of his hand. “Libby Griffin.” The overconfident table-invader held onto her hand.