"How can you let him talk to you like that?" Jake said to her.

"He's drunk. Comes with the territory." Liv walked around the bar to where Burt was sitting and helped him off his stool. "Your cab is probably here."

"Don't you touch me." Burt's arms flailed about. For an old man, he had surprising strength. He knocked Liv away from him, throwing her against the bar. The edge rammed into her back.

"Ow!"

"That's it!" Jake grabbed Burt and dragged him to the door.

By now, all of the other customers had noticed the disturbance and were watching as Jake pushed the old man out the door into the cold winter air.

Chris rushed over. "You okay, Liv?"

"Yeah. Just an accident." She brushed her shirt down, trying to regain her composure. "I'm good."

Good? She was embarra.s.sed as h.e.l.l. When had she ever needed a man to take control of the situation? She'd handled drunken idiots hundreds of times before, and now, with everyone watching, he made her seem weak.

Liv grabbed Burt's bill and pinned it behind the bar. Trying to calm herself, she cleaned away all the evidence of him. The circular swipe of the cloth against the bar settled her pulse and racing brain.

Two minutes later, Jake waltzed back in. "I made sure he got in a cab. Are you hurt?"

"Nope. I'm good." She used a wet rag to scrub at the place where Burt had sat.

Her eyes darted up, but only for a second. Jake looked concerned and he wore it well. d.a.m.n! He was too beautiful. His green eyes pierced right through her as if he knew every thought racing through her mind. If only that chaotic mess didn't happen and Jake hadn't made her feel two inches tall. Why couldn't it be twenty minutes ago, when the only thoughts plaguing her were dirty ones-Liv on top of the bar, Jake between her legs- "Does that happen often?" Jake asked. "He's a real a.s.s."

Liv waved him off and returned to her duties. "He won't even remember tomorrow."

"Liv! I need drinks!" Meg called from the other end of the bar.

Liv turned and held up one finger. She turned her attention back to Jake, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest and a stone cold expression on his face. She reached for two empty gla.s.ses on the bar to her right. "I've helped people out of here more times than I can count."

"It doesn't make you weak, you know. Asking for help."

She stopped abruptly, and raised her eyes to meet his. How did he know her so well? "I'm not weak." No one ever took the time to get to know her, and in waltzed this man who thought he had her pegged after having one high school-style make out session. What did he want from her? A confession? An apology? Whatever it was, she couldn't give it to him. "I'm fine on my own. Always have been."

"Liv!" Meg called again.

Jake let out a heavy breath and ran one hand through his hair. This was the first time she'd seen his calm and cool demeanor challenged, but Liv didn't give him the chance to finish his thought. "I have to get back to work."

"Fine." He rested his hands against the bar and leaned forward with a determined set to his jaw. "I'll see you around." He stalked off toward the front door, leaving a heavy sense of loss in his wake.

It was finally closing time. The night had been interesting to say the least, a fitting end to a career Liv was ready to leave behind.

There were a few stragglers left, including Chris. Liv cleaned up the sloppy bar, washing away the sticky beer spills and wing sauce. Austin had stopped by for a visit but left in a hurry. He had a date. There was only one thing he could be doing at this late hour, and Liv knew exactly who she wanted to be doing the same thing with. Jake Miller.

d.a.m.n him! b.u.t.ting in where he didn't belong. She let out a heavy sigh. But he was sweet. And Liv liked the feeling of being taken care of. She appreciated his help and his concern. Not that she would ever say it out loud.

But self-sufficiency wasn't going to keep her warm at night.

Despite her anger and frustration, she still couldn't get Jake out of her thoughts. He looked so good tonight, asking to be ravished. She grew hot and damp just at the thought of his face. Closing her eyes, she thought of all the naughty things they could do in this bar. All of the places they could christen if only he were here.

She pictured herself sitting on the bar, legs open, Jake standing between them, his hands on her hips, his lips caressing her neck, his hot breath sending shivers through her entire body.

"What am I doing?" Liv muttered. She shook her head, trying to focus.

Grabbing the cash box, she headed to the back office to finish the night's paperwork, leaving Meg to watch over the last few guests. Tonight, the cash out took her twice as long. Counting and fantasizing just didn't mix. What was wrong with her? He was not a logical choice. He wasn't even a choice. He had made that perfectly clear when he'd taken off.

Ten minutes later she locked the office door and walked up to the bar. All the customers had called it a night. Meg sat alone on a stool, waiting for her return. As soon as she noticed Liv walking toward her she jumped off her seat. With a wiggle of her eyebrows and a devious smirk, she hightailed it out the door.

After locking the front door, Liv picked up the last of the gla.s.ses and slid them into the dishwasher. Bang! That was the bathroom door slamming. Liv looked up and her face flushed. Excitement overload.

Jake was here. He'd come back. And he was making his way toward her.

She let out a small squeal, but felt like all the breath had left her body. She kept her head down, pretending to fidget with the dishwasher. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't help but watch him.

His gait was fluid, an aura of s.e.x oozing from every pore. He was confident and strong. Strong enough to resemble a predator, but casual enough to show he wasn't threatening. He was dangerous to her libido, and she was his helpless and willing prey.

His eyes were focused on her as he approached, and Liv squirmed with his every step.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi." Her voice was hoa.r.s.e. She had to clear her throat to continue talking. "Why don't you have a drink with me?"

He c.o.c.ked his head to the side. "That's not the only reason I came back."

"Not sure if I believe that." Liv didn't know why she was being so standoffish. Maybe she was just afraid of getting in so deep with Jake that she couldn't find her way back.

But her mood didn't last long. She reached in the fridge and grabbed two bottles. She flipped off the caps and set them both down on coasters.

She needed to focus, get her head in the game.

Jake reached for his bottle of beer and took a swig. The simple sight of his lips wrapped around the brown gla.s.s made her insides quiver. She may have let this guy behind her armor a time or two, but she was in no way, shape, or form relationship material.

"So what did bring you back?"

He seemed to take her change of topic in stride. "I'm on my own tonight. I found someone I really like. And I don't want to scare her off."

For as much as she wanted to blow him off and concentrate on her work, she couldn't stop wondering about what could be between them. She wanted him too badly. And if she didn't get him, she feared she might never stop thinking about him. It would be best to just get him out of her system. To have him, and then let him go.

She jumped up on the bar and swiveled her body around, letting her feet dangle over the edge. "You should make your move." She flashed him a coy smile. "She may really, really want it."

He set his bottle on the bar and positioned himself in front of her.

She shivered at the feel of his breath on her neck. Her panties-now damp-rubbed against the seam of her jeans, her c.l.i.t aching for relief.

l.u.s.t swirled in the green depths of his eyes. He wanted this. Just as much as she did.

He spread his hands out against her thighs, spreading her legs, wiggling his body closer. Jake's midsection was now flush against her core. She squeezed her legs tight, not wanting him to move. Grabbing her wrists, he pulled her hands to the bar. She still gripped the beer bottle, but he secured her hands with his, restricting her ability to touch him.

With the way he was looking at her, Liv knew he was wearing down.

"Tell me about her."

The green of his eyes mingled with the animal hiding behind his dark lashes. "Her eyes are dark, so incredibly dark, but they sparkle when she's aroused." He brushed light kisses along her jaw. "Her lips are soft."

She was intoxicated by him, all of him. His scent, his touch, his voice. Never had one man managed to render her utterly defenseless.

He swiped his thumb across her bottom lip and finally leaned closer, pressing his lips against hers. At first softly, then he deepened it. His hands rested near her waist. She could feel the pull of her T-shirt as he fisted it in his hands.

Liv's breath caught not once, or twice, but three times as she tried to inhale. Her mouth was dry. Too dry. She wanted nothing more than to kneel before him, taking his length deep into the back of her throat.

Liv was curious at how far this would go. Here in the bar. On the bar. His mouth nuzzled against one breast as he licked the fabric of her shirt. She gasped.

Without notice, he lifted it, securing it under her arms, and pulled down the bra cups. He took the beer bottle from her hand and rested it against her stomach. Immediately, her nipples hardened. "She has fantastic b.r.e.a.s.t.s," he said between licks and s.e.xy pulls of his teeth against her nipples.

Liv grasped the back of his head as he attacked her right breast. She undulated her hips to grind into him. But what she really wanted was his mouth on her s.e.x. She wanted his soft lips and velvet tongue working their magic. "Jake."

"This woman is a challenge." He moved to the next breast and bit the tip of her nipple. A jolt of pain spread through her, exploding in an intense throb she felt through her entire body.

"But I prefer a challenge." He licked his way up her body and bit down on the curve between her shoulder and neck. Her body responded by arching into his bite, loving the pleasurable pain he gave so freely. "I prefer to chip away at steel doors meant to keep me out. Little"-he licked her neck-"by little"-he sucked on a nipple-"by little." He flicked his tongue in her belly b.u.t.ton. "I always make my way in."

His lips found hers and they kissed. Chest to chest, their bodies rubbed together. She whimpered and her body spasmed at his touch.

Jake ripped at her jeans, furiously trying to undo the b.u.t.ton on the waistband. She lifted her pelvis, allowing him to pull her pants from her body. When one leg was free, he gave up and let the heavy denim dangle from the other leg.

She flung her arms up and knocked over the beer bottle in the process. It clanked on the bar, then she heard the fizz of the liquid as it dripped.

He inhaled deeply against her chest. "I've dreamt of your scent. You smell so good. Like cookies. And this..." He lowered his face. "I've dreamt of it, too."

He was just about to remove her panties when the obnoxious ring of a cell phone bellowed.

"Let it ring," she huffed between gasps of pleasure, her arms forcing him closer.

Jake tensed and pulled away.

"No!" Liv grabbed at his body as he left her cold. "They'll call back."

"I have to get it." With his head hanging, he reached in his back pocket for his BlackBerry. He looked at the screen as if wanting to confirm the caller before he picked up. His eyes flitted between the screen and Liv, Liv and the screen.

Pick me! Choose me!

With a sigh, he pressed the b.u.t.ton on the phone and left her high and dry. He cleared his throat before he spoke. "h.e.l.lo."

The shriek of a female voice squawked on the other end. She should have known.

"No. It's not a bad time," he rea.s.sured his caller. "I'm on my way."

Liv couldn't believe what she had just heard. She jumped down from the bar and pushed past him. Sliding her leg back into her jeans, she pulled them up, then hid her b.r.e.a.s.t.s from his stare.

"I'm sorry. I..." There were those eyes again. Sincere. But an apology didn't repair the blow to her ego.

"Sorry? We were seconds away from...from having s.e.x...and then you stop to answer your phone."

"It's important. My-"

"It's okay." Liv held up a hand to stop his explanation. He didn't owe her one, just like she didn't owe him one earlier. They were doing each other a favor, scratching an itch that needed relief, and with Liv's confusing emotions getting in the way, this interruption was just what they needed. "That's just my hormones talking. You got me all riled up and I have no opportunity for release."

We're not dating. We're not dating.

She had to keep reminding herself of the fact. She had no right to be mad, sad, frustrated, or any other over the top feeling. He didn't belong to her.

With his phone in his hand, he embraced her. His lips landed softly on her head. "I'm sorry, Liv. But I have to go." He eased away and looked into her eyes. "But I will see you soon."

Sometimes, his words were cryptic. Sometimes, behind his superbly hot body and incredibly handsome face, there was something dark that pushed its way to the surface.

The realization that she was trying to decipher his words rather than thinking about her bakery put everything into perspective. "Look, Jake..." There was no way she was going to get through the next two weeks of stress if she had to a.n.a.lyze every move she made with him. "We both have important things going on and maybe we should just focus on that for a while."

"But what about our date?" He looked genuinely disappointed at the possibility of her saying no. She wouldn't lie, it was a great feeling.

"I'm not saying no, just...give me two weeks." She sighed. "This is the most important thing I've ever done." And she wanted to make sure it was done right. "I need to know, at the end of the day, that I gave it my all. No distractions. No-"

"So, I'm distracting." He grinned and leaned closer.

She smiled. "We can revisit the date."

He nodded. "Fair enough."

Liv walked him to the front door, but before he stepped over the threshold, he turned and leveled her with a heated stare.

"As for release." He reached for her hand. "I think this finger right here will do the job just fine." He kissed the tip of her index finger. "And you're going to tell me all about it." He smiled. "In two weeks."

Chapter Seven.

Liv woke up with the sun in her eyes. She rolled over. "What the-"

Bracing herself, she realized she had no room to roll over. The couch. She didn't remember falling asleep here, but when she spotted the empty beer bottle and book on the coffee table, the memory rushed back.

Sighing, she sat up, swinging her legs to the floor.