Bad Boys Do. Victoria Dahl

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ as well have been a hundred miles away. This was a sign that she wasn’t meant to be here. She’d been saved from ruin and embarrassment.

      Olivia slid her foot back and started to turn.

      “Can I help you?”

      The woman again, with her tray tucked under her arm now. She smiled widely, and Olivia felt a jolt of recognition. This girl was definitely related to Jamie.

      “Did you want a beer?”

      “Oh. No. I was looking for someone. Sorry, I’ll just—”

      “Jamie? He’s not working the bar today.”

      Olivia blinked. Did women come in looking for Jamie all the time? Yes, of course they did.

      Her chest filled with horror as she slid her left foot back to join the right. “Okay. Thanks.”

      “You should follow our Twitter account! He always lets everyone know when he’s behind the bar.”

      “Oh, sure. Thanks. I’ll do that.” She coughed, then repeated. “Thanks.”

      Just as Olivia was reaching back for the door handle, the swinging doors opened and Jamie walked through.

      Oh, God. Oh, God.

      His smile froze and his eyes widened in surprise. “Ms. Ol—” His gaze slid to the female bartender and then back to Olivia. “Olivia. Hi. What are you doing here?”

      The woman winked at Olivia and said, “Look who was hiding in the back,” before she retreated to the bar. “Hey, Jamie,” she said lightly as she passed him.

      Jamie ignored her and walked toward Olivia, and her heart sped to a frightening pace. She couldn’t back down now. Because what other reason could she have for being here? She hadn’t even thought to bring class handouts or a book or anything that would offer an excuse for her presence. This was the kind of disaster that descended when you didn’t make lists.

      “Hi,” she croaked.

      “Hi.” He put his hands in his pockets and waited, his mouth curved in a puzzled smile.

      “Are you working?” she asked.

      “Not really. I’m off today.”

      “Oh.” She nodded, and kept nodding until Jamie cocked his head.

      “Did I forget something in class, or …?”

      Olivia took a deep breath. “Are you busy tonight?”

      That popped his chin straight. “What?”

      “You asked, and I said no, but … there’s a party I have to go to tonight. One of the professors is leaving….”

      The wide smile spreading across his face distracted her.

      “What?” she snapped, irritated by the way her pulse sped.

      “I’m just … surprised.”

      She felt a sudden fear that he’d only been kidding. It had all been a flirtatious joke. She couldn’t possibly be his type. “If you don’t want to—”

      “Of course I want to. What time should I pick you up?”

      “We can just meet there. There’s no need—”

      “Right. What time should I pick you up?”

      For the first time, Olivia caught a glimpse of steel beneath his velvet exterior. Her pulse enjoyed it very much. “Seven-thirty?”

      “Great. Seven-thirty. I’ll be there. Do you want a beer or a glass of water or …?”

      “No. No, thank you. I’d better just …” Guilt was turning her stomach, so she gave him her address and phone number, then stammered out a goodbye while he smiled sympathetically.

      “I’ll see you tonight,” he said, making it sound like a promise.

      She left with an awkward lurch for the door. The heavy wood nearly closed on her leg, but thankfully Jamie caught it just before it got her. She hurried to her car and then collapsed inside.

      What the hell had she just done? Why was she going on a date with a man who inspired women to regularly come into a bar to ask for him? It was madness. She must look like a fool.

      “I’m not into him,” she whispered to herself. “I’m doing this for me.” And she was. But she couldn’t pretend that Jamie Donovan’s charm wasn’t part of what she wanted. That charm felt like magic dust being sprinkled over her skin, and she wanted everyone to see the glow. Including her ex-husband.

      She’d wash the magic off later and everything would be fine. But her heart was still racing when she made it home, and it didn’t have anything to do with nerves.

       CHAPTER FOUR

      SHE WASN’T THE TYPE OF WOMAN he normally dated. Tessa had pointed that out immediately, but Jamie had ignored her. After not dating at all for over a year, he didn’t have a type anymore. He’d hit the reset button.

      He stole a glance at Olivia, who stared straight out the windshield of his car as if she were the one driving. She looked different tonight, though no less uptight. Her glasses were off again and her lips glinted with shiny color. Instead of a demure dress, she wore a little black number. Not short or low cut, as he’d hoped, but it draped over her body like skimming hands.

      And she smelled good. She made him think of a crisp summer night. Flowers that were cooling in the dark.

      Nice.

      Jamie had sworn off women for a while, but he’d make an exception for her. She was different. Calm and mature. Responsible and sharp. Maybe she’d be good for him. A positive step on the new path he was taking. Tessa had certainly been surprised.

      Jamie still couldn’t believe Olivia had come by the brewery. That she’d asked him out. Her earlier rejection had been fairly firm. It hadn’t stung; asking her out had been a long shot, after all. But he must have really gotten under her skin. He smiled at the thought of being inside her head.

      “Just to the right,” Olivia said, pointing toward a very large house set among cliffs and pine trees. The city of Boulder sat five hundred feet below them.

      “You’ve got friends in high places.”

      “Oh, these people aren’t my friends. They’re just colleagues.”

      He edged the truck onto a narrow shoulder lined with a dozen other cars. “Don’t you have friends at work?”

      “A few. Gwen, for one. But she won’t be at this party. It’ll be almost all faculty and spouses. And dates.” She shot him a look, but he couldn’t read it. “Not as much fun as most parties you go to, I’m sure.”

      “You СКАЧАТЬ