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

Before Libby could make a scene by yanking it away, her food arrived. Nick was forced to let go.
    “What do you do in Columbus, Libby Griffin?”
    “Design clothes.”
    A look of confusion raced across his expression. Libby pulled her lips in to keep from smirking. She had a style all her own, but in no way was she a fashionista, and it was hard for folks to imagine that she made a living designing clothes.
    Nick didn’t seem to dwell on the contradiction of her appearance. “Awesome.” He moved even closer, his blue eyes shimmering with interest that she was sure had nothing to do with her occupation.
    Libby didn’t want him in her space, or at her table, or within a five-block radius. She took a huge bite of burger and chomped it like she had no table manners whatsoever, hoping to disgust him into backing up.
    Rats. He stayed put. Since there was no excuse for bad manners, she would have to put up with him…and make conversation. Besides, all Nick Stockton was guilty of was being interested. She should be flattered. “What do you do, Nick?”
    “I own a fitness center.” Nick went into salesman mode with a spiel about the importance of exercise and diet, how many times a week to work out for maximum effect, blah, blah, blah. Libby tried to look as though she was listening, but she wasn’t—not even a little. Her thoughts were on a different dark-haired guy, one with a beard and an adorable dog.
    “Do you agree?” Nick asked.
    Libby nodded, but had no idea what she agreed with. She took another bite of burger followed by a sip of milkshake.
    Nick forced her to tune back in. “You should see my equipment.”
    His salacious grin made her drop her sandwich. She was fairly certain the buffoon wasn’t referring to an elliptical machine or treadmill. She frowned and was set to tell him to get lost.
    ****
    Max wanted to flatten the guy’s nose but he wouldn’t do himself any favors by turning into a bully. He had to let things play out. If Libby went for the gene-pool lottery winner then he wouldn’t reveal his presence and he’d let her alone once and for all.
    The guy moved into Libby’s personal space and she didn’t look pleased. Her brows knit together and her lips thinned with noticeable disdain. Max was overjoyed. He chuckled when Libby took an oversized bite of sandwich.
    Max couldn’t stay in the booth one more second.
    Right before he got to Libby’s table, the bonehead made a suggestive comment. Max’s jealousy was replaced with anger. He clenched his fists again and his voice boomed off the walls. “She doesn’t want to see your equipment or anything else.”
    Libby’s head snapped around and her heart burst into a series of cartwheels. “Max.” She almost melted when he smiled.
    Max looked as though he wanted to pummel Nick into the next county.
    When he looked at Libby, he softened. “Sorry, I’m late, sweetheart.” Max put his hands at the nape of her neck and massaged her tight muscles.
    The unspoken rescue filled Libby with warmth, but Max’s touch filled her with heat.
    Nick’s gaze volleyed between her and Max, his brows bumped together with doubt and suspicion. “I thought you were in a hurry.”
    Libby set eyes on Max while answering Nick. “I am.”
    “She is, and so am I.” Max took Libby’s hand, planted a kiss on the palm and pulled her from the chair and into his chest. Their gazes held and Libby trembled.
    Max fished a twenty-dollar bill from his pocket, held it up for the barmaid to see and laid it on the table. “We need to go.” His eyes searched Libby’s. Whatever he found in them made him smile and he hugged her tight.

Chapter Seven
    The second they were outside, Max backed Libby against the side of the building, grinned liked he’d pulled a fast one and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.
    A powerful surge of passion coursed through Libby, weakening her knees, catching the air in her lungs. “Max,” she gasped against his mouth, “I’ve missed