“Thanks. I’m trying to get a good price on advertising for the studio. I figured a cute outfit couldn’t hurt, and besides, I’m waitressing for Colton tonight. This outfit earns great tips.” She twirled in her short skirt, which luckily covered her inner thighs. “Hoping for huge tips to help offset the new boxing gloves I want.”
That earned her one of his heart-melting, brotherly smiles, which made her feel better. She didn’t want him to think she was slutty, even if she believed in enjoying life to the fullest.
“Cool,” he said. Then his eyes turned serious, and she knew she was in for one of his lectures. “Look, Jana. What happened with you and Spencer, that was ages ago. It’s time to get over it and treat yourself like you deserve to be treated.”
Just hearing her last boyfriend’s name made her feel guilty and angry. He’d wanted marriage, and she hadn’t been anywhere near wanting to settle down. She’d tried to break up with him for weeks, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. She’d done the only thing she knew would finally end his efforts once and for all—she’d made sure he’d found her with his best friend. Hurting him hadn’t been her intent, but after a string of broken promises by men before him, she’d been at her wit’s end. Hurting him had been an unavoidable outcome, but his revenge had been humiliating, and from that day forward, she swore she’d never put herself in that position again. She pushed those thoughts away, unable to deal with them right now.
No, she was never going to change her ways. She’d only hurt someone else, and that wasn’t something she ever wanted to do again.
“I know you care, Brock. I get it, and I appreciate your concern, but there’s nothing between Hunter and me. It was a onetime thing.”
He shrugged. “Even if there was, you’re right. It’s not my place to get involved. But I swear, Jana, if he hurts you, I’ll lay him out flat on his ass and I won’t feel bad about it. Got it?”
Thank God he didn’t know about the other times they’d hooked up. He’d probably have already killed him.
***
HUNTER WORKED INTO the evening, surrounded by sounds of torches hissing, the forge and the blowers creating an underlying hum, mallets clanging, metal twisting, and machines cutting. The potent aroma of smoldering metal centered him. He loved the hard hands-on work, but it was the creative aspect that came from somewhere deep inside his soul that made him feel as though he was adding something of value to the world. He and Grayson both enjoyed designing, and they both excelled at getting the details on paper. But while Grayson was known for creating larger, solid pieces like hibachis and furniture, Hunter was all about finite intricacies and the melding together of delicate lines and bold statements.
He was busy working through a few ideas on the whiteboard when Clark entered the shop.
“I thought you took off hours ago?” Hunter had assumed Clark had left when Grayson had, although he’d noticed that Clark had been staying later at the shop over the last few weeks.
“Nah. Not tonight. I thought we could go out and grab a beer.”
“Sure. Let me just get this thought down on the board.” Clark and Hunter had been each other’s wingmen until Clark had begun dating Nina, whom he’d eventually married, and now they had a one-year-old son, Billy. They rarely went out anymore.
“Give me ten minutes?” Hunter asked.
Clark pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll head over to Undercover and grab us a table.”
Hunter had been hanging out at Undercover long before Jana’s brother Colton bought the place. As he stepped from his truck in the parking lot, he caught sight of Jana’s red VW Bug, and his thoughts turned to last night. He couldn’t stop the smile tugging at his lips, or the twitch in his pants at the memory of Jana riding him hard and fast. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever been with, the way she owned her sexuality. She was confident and aggressive and somehow still excruciatingly feminine. And that opinionated mouth of hers was immensely talented. He might just have to give her another shot.
The bar was dimly lit and, like most nights, every table was full. Hunter made his way around the dance floor, eyeing a group of women who were clearly checking him out. He flashed a grin, nodded, earning himself a round of giggles and flirtatious smiles.
“Hunter!”
He turned at the sound of Clark’s voice, and his eyes locked on the hot blonde serving his buddy’s drink. He’d know that body anywhere. She looked damn fine in a black miniskirt and peach-colored top that clung to her lush curves like a second skin. Jana wasn’t very tall, maybe five three or four, but those enticing dancer’s legs of hers looked long and lean, and Hunter couldn’t help but remember them wrapped around his waist as he’d taken her over the edge for a third time last night.
“Hey there, handsome.”
He shook his head to clear his mind and turned at the familiar, yet not, voice. He couldn’t place the smiling brunette’s name.
“I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”
Laura? Lisa? Yes! Lisa! “Lisa, hi. Sorry about that. We had a good time, but uh…work’s been busy.” Hunter didn’t often go out with women more than once, and this particular woman had seemed clingy. A definite turnoff. His eyes drifted back to Jana just as she turned, and their gazes collided. Hunter’s pulse sped up like he’d just downed a can of Red Bull.
“Mine, too,” Lisa said. “I’m not busy tonight. Are you?” She touched his arm, bringing his attention back to her.
“Uh…” He watched Jana roll her eyes as she walked away from the table. “Yeah, actually. I’m here with a buddy. Sorry.” Without giving her time to say more, he headed across the room.
“Sorry I took so long,” he said as he slid onto the chair across from Clark.
“No big deal. I ordered a pitcher when I saw you come in.”
“Thanks.” Hunter saw Jana heading back their way, carrying a tray with their pitcher. A guy reached out to stop her as she walked by. She smiled at him, said something Hunter couldn’t hear, and then she laughed. Hunter didn’t know why that made his gut feel funky, but it definitely did.
He shifted his eyes away when she brought the pitcher to the table.
“Hunter,” she said not unkindly, but with no hint that he’d been buried balls deep inside her last night.
“Helping Colton out again?” he asked.
She glanced at the guy who had stopped her moments ago and smiled when he noticed her looking over. “Yeah,” she said absentmindedly. She reached into the apron around her waist and took out an order pad, returning her attention to Hunter and Clark. “Can I get you guys something to eat?”
“I had a pretty memorable meal last night,” Hunter said, enjoying the flush rising on her cheeks. “It might be hard to top that.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Hm. I’m always up for a challenge. Maybe you should try the filet mignon. I hear it’s pretty juicy tonight.” She settled a hand on her hip and smirked as her eyes moved over his chest, down his stomach, lingered on his groin for a beat, then moved slowly back up to his face again. “Although, it might be too much for you.”
Clark stifled a laugh, covering it with a cough.
“Bring it on. In fact, bring me two. I’m ravenous.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair.
“Hope your eyes aren’t bigger than your appetite.” She turned to Clark and said in an overtly sensual tone, “A handsome guy like you must have a hearty appetite, too.”
Clark raked his eyes over Jana’s breasts, sending an unfamiliar streak of jealousy through Hunter. “You have no idea. I could eat all night.”
She leaned one palm on the table, glancing quickly at Hunter before setting a hot stare on Clark. “I bet you could. I’ll bring you the same, then?”
Hunter’s blood boiled. Even if they were only hooking up, she shouldn’t be flirting with his buddy. His married buddy.
When she walked away, Clark shook his head and laughed. “Christ, man. That chick wanted it bad. I’d like to—”
“Dude!” Hunter didn’t want to hear what Clark wanted to do to Jana. Hell, he didn’t want to think about anyone with her. “You’re married.”
“Yeah, about that…” Clark took a drink of his beer and shifted his eyes away. His face turned solemn as he sighed. “Nina and I…” He looked at Hunter and his voice went soft. “We’re separating. I actually wanted to ask you if you’d mind if I stayed at your place for a while. Not long. Just until I figure out where I’m going to rent.”
“Rent? What about Billy? Why are you separating?” Hunter had been the best man at their wedding. He’d been the first person outside the family to hold Billy after he was born. He’d never seen this coming.
“Man, you have no idea what it’s like.” Clark rubbed the back of his neck.
Hunter focused all of his attention on his friend and felt like he was seeing him for the first time in a very long time. His sandy hair was longer than usual. Worry lines mapped his forehead, and he looked like he hadn’t shaved—or slept—in a few days. He’d noticed his friend had looked more tired after Billy was born. Had he just gotten used to seeing him look exhausted?