Full Moon (2 page)

“Yep. We’re hitting McDonald’s for dinner, then going to see that new Pixar movie.”

“In 3-D,” Tommy reminded him.

“Right. The one with that little alien.” Tony’s face proved he wasn’t looking forward to Tommy’s movie choice, but he wouldn’t let his son down.

“Sounds like fun. So I’ll see you around noon tomorrow?”

Tony nodded, studying her appearance once more. Josie’s listlessness about going out evaporated at her ex’s jealous gaze and suddenly she was excited about checking an item off her list. Tony had moved on, while she’d held back, trying to establish some sort of stability in Tommy’s life. She refused to stand still anymore and if Tony didn’t like that, so much the better.

“Bye, Mommy.” Tommy returned to give her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then he offered the same farewell to Shelly, who smiled at the show of affection. “Bye, Aunt Shelly.”

Josie waved as they headed for the car. “Have fun.”

Shelly sighed as Tommy and Tony drove away. “You’re always so nice to him. Even though I know you’re pissed as hell at him for being late.”

Josie shrugged. “I promised myself after the divorce that I would love my son more than I hated my ex. For all Tony’s faults, he loves Tommy. I’d be the world’s worst mother if I took my son’s hero away from him simply because things didn’t work out between us.”

“Well, just for the record, I think you’re a great mom. And I think you’re going to have to beat the men off with a stick at that bar. You look smokin’!”

Josie let Shelly’s compliments—as well as the mixed drink they’d had before she left—bolster her confidence as she walked into the Blue Moon two hours later.

Claiming a stool at the end of the bar, she waved to the bartender, then looked around. She’d chosen the place because of its name. Given her determination to howl, it seemed like fate was calling her to the Blue Moon.

“What can I get for you?” The bartender placed a napkin in front of her and gave her a friendly smile. If the customers were as hot as the bartender, she was going to have some fun tonight.

“Bourbon and Diet Coke.”

“Got a preference on the bourbon?”

She grinned. “Jim Beam. He’s my boyfriend.”

The bartender laughed. “Damn. And here I was, hoping you were single.”

“What can I say? He’s very jealous too, so be careful or he’ll kick your ass.”

“I’ll consider myself warned.” She watched him mix the drink, finding herself ridiculously attracted to his hands. They were large and capable, a little rough, sexy. Josie imagined exactly how she’d like him to put them to work with her in the bedroom. What would it feel like for him to drive those fingers—

“Miss?”

Josie jerked at his voice and struggled not to blush. Jesus. She was getting carried away with these fantasies. Now that she’d given herself permission to have sex, it was all she could think about. Twice in the last week, she’d pulled her vibrator out in the middle of the night, trying to work off some of her pent-up needs. “Sorry. Daydreaming.”

“Looks like it was some dream.”

She looked down at the drink he’d just put in front of her so she could avoid his too-knowing eyes.

“You wanna start a tab or pay as you go?”

“I’ll start a tab.”

“Fine. Just need a credit card.”

She opened her wallet and handed him the Visa. He glanced at the name. “Josephine?”

She grimaced. “Josie, please. Only my father calls me Josephine. And mercifully I haven’t seen him in fifteen years.”

“Josie.” He held out his hand and she took it, trying to ignore the sudden heat permeating her body as he shook it. “I’m Jake.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. I’ve been working at the Blue Moon for nearly eight years now. Don’t remember ever seeing you in here. You new in town?”

She shook her head. She’d spent the past eight years at home—first with Tony, then alone, raising her son. Apart from her wine nights with the girls at Laura’s house, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone out on the town. “Nope. I don’t get out much.”

“Well, I’m glad you decided to give the Blue Moon a try.”

Another customer waved. Jake winked and stepped over to serve the other man. Josie watched him mix drinks for a few minutes as she sipped her bourbon, then she turned to look around the bar. It was starting to get crowded.

“Is anyone sitting here?”

Josie looked up and felt a definite spark of hope as Mr. Gorgeous stood next her.

She shook her head.

“Mind if I join you?”

“Not at all.” She fought to restrain her grin, wondering how she could covertly take a picture of the guy with her phone and text it to Shelly. Holy hotness.

“I’m Greg.”

She pasted on what she hoped was a flirty smile and introduced herself. “Josie.”

Jake came over to take Greg’s order and she noticed the bartender had lost some of his charm. He was cool as he placed a Guinness in front of Greg. “That’ll be five-fifty.”

Greg handed over a ten. Josie wished he’d opened up a tab.

She took a sip of her drink, thrilled when Greg started chatting with her. He was an investment banker and ten years older than her. There wasn’t a ring on his finger. Maybe he was one of those men who was married to his work. She didn’t care. It wasn’t like she wanted anything more from him than tonight. He was charming and suave and she suspected he knew his way around a bedroom.

They chatted for nearly two hours as Greg drank three more beers. She was still laughing at a joke he’d told when he excused himself to go to the restroom.

Jake came over and pointed to her drink. “Do you want another bourbon?”

She’d been nursing the same drink all night, determined to remain clear-headed. “No. I think I’m okay.” Greg’s drink was empty too and she hoped she could convince him to move this party to his place.

Jake started to walk away, then he came back. “Listen, I don’t usually do this because it’s none of my business, but you don’t seem like the type of woman who’d…” He paused and she wondered what he was talking about.

“I don’t seem like the type who’d what?”

“That guy’s married. He comes in here all the time. Sometimes with his wife, sometimes without the ring. Maybe they’ve got an open marriage or something, but I just thought you should know.”

A loud buzzing started in her head, making it hard for her to hear exactly what Jake was saying after the word
married
. She thought of Tony. Of how he’d met his current girlfriend in a bar…when he was still married to Josie. Her first night out and she was suddenly playing the part of the home wrecker. What if Greg had kids? She imagined Tommy’s sweet little face and her temper spiked. How dare Greg put her in this position? What kind of asshole was he that he could cheat on his wife so easily?

She worked hard to regulate her breathing. God only knew what her face looked like because Jake’s forehead creased with concern. “Shit. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”

“No,” she said stiffly. “I’m glad you told me.”

Greg returned and took his seat, pushing the stool closer to her. Mercifully, Jake didn’t walk away. She wasn’t sure if he was offering her support or staying close to prevent a murder, but either way, she appreciated his presence.

“What do you say we get out of here? Find somewhere more private,” Greg whispered, his tone and his gaze telling her
exactly
where he wanted to go with her.

“To your place?” she asked, feigning interest.

She had to hand it to the sleazebag. He was smooth. “I’m afraid that won’t work. My apartment’s being renovated. I’m sleeping on my couch until the work is finished.”

“Really? Because if I was your wife, your ass wouldn’t be on the couch, it would be on the street.”

Greg blanched, struggling to recover from being busted. “Wife?”

She tilted her head. “Men like you should be castrated.”

Greg glanced around, nervously. She hadn’t bothered to lower her voice and several people had started to look their way.

“Go home to your wife. And remember to put your ring back on. We wouldn’t want her to figure out what a lying, two-timing piece of shit you are, would we?”

This time, her voice carried. A couple of women shook their head in disgust and Josie distinctly heard one of them call him a “bastard”.

Greg hastily took his leave, not bothering to justify his actions, apologize or even deny the truth.

“Damn,” Jake muttered.

She looked up, trying to calm down. Her hands were shaking. She was angry and depressed and miserable. “What?”

“He forgot to leave me a tip.”

Jake’s response caught her unaware and she laughed. She couldn’t hold back the onslaught of giggles as they grew louder and louder. Tears streamed down her face. “Oh my God. I needed that,” she said when she was finally able to catch her breath.

“What are you doing here, Josie?”

She hadn’t expected his question, but after he’d saved her from near-disaster, she felt as if she owed him the truth. “I was hoping to hook up with one of the men here tonight. An honest-to-God one-night stand with a stranger.”

Jake’s smile didn’t dim, but he shook his head. “I don’t know where the hell you came from, but I’m sure glad you came into my bar.”

“Why is that?”

He shrugged good-naturedly. “Let’s just say you’re a lot more entertaining than the regulars. So you really want a one-night stand?”

She nodded.

“Why?”

She rolled her eyes. “Because I’m horny. What do you mean why?”

Jake leaned forward, resting his elbows on the high counter in front of her. “You’re pretty, funny and smart. Why would you settle for a one-night stand when any guy would probably give his left nut to go out with you?”

“I’ve always preferred the right nut.”

He grinned, but didn’t let her dodge the question. Instead, he waited patiently for her answer.

“I’m not looking for forever. Just one night. But—” she glanced over her shoulder and sighed, “—it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen tonight.”

“Why not?”

“I’m afraid I’ve lost my steam. And my head start. Most of the other promising candidates have been claimed.” The crowd was thinning out and she didn’t have the energy to try again. Plus she was terrified of picking up another married man. Apparently her bullshit meter only worked in regards to Tony.

Jake didn’t bother looking around the bar to confirm her observation. “What about me?”

“You? Really?” Josie‘s heart began to race. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she’d questioned her success all evening. Now Jake was offering her exactly what she wanted.

He raised his eyebrow and she sensed she’d offended him. She raised her hand quickly. “I mean I just didn’t think you’d be interested.”

Meanwhile, lack of interest was certainly not her problem. She’d been attracted to him since the first moment she’d bellied up to the bar. Even so, could she really go through with this?

She licked her suddenly dry lips, studying his face. He had kind eyes. And full lips.

As her gaze descended, she added to her mental list of
Oh my God, He’s Fucking Hot
attributes. Jake had powerful hands and muscular arms. And he sure as hell knew how to fill out a pair of blue jeans.

Shit. She was seriously going to do this.

“A hot woman is sitting across from me looking for a hookup. There’s not a straight, single man on the planet who would turn that down.”

“Apparently it’s not just the single guys.”

“Good point.”

“And you qualify, do you? Single
and
straight?” She really needed to hear Jake say he wasn’t married. Though she was questioning her judgment after the Greg fiasco, something told her she could trust Jake’s word.

He nodded and once again she was taken in by his smile, his handsome face. Where Greg had been a pretty boy, Jake was all man. His jaw was covered with a five o’clock shadow that was pushing the borderline to full-blown beard. She spotted tattoos peeking out beneath his T-shirt on both arms. He was about a month overdue for a haircut, but the shaggy brown mess made her long to run her fingers through it.

“I qualify on all counts. I’d love to go home with you tonight. I’m not drunk, I don’t have any diseases, I’m relatively well-mannered and I don’t snore. Plus, none of my past girlfriends have blamed sex for our break-ups.”

“What do they blame?”

He laughed. “I’m trying to talk you into sleeping with me. Not out of it.”

Jake was the answer to a prayer. It would be no hardship having sex with him. None. At. All. “Fine. We’ll do it. Two conditions, though.”

“Lay ’em on me.”

“We go to your place. And I’m not going to stick around afterwards to find out if you’re lying about the snoring.”

“Deal. Should we leave now?”

She frowned. “Don’t you have to stay around until closing?”

He shook his head. “Nope. One of the perks of owning the place is you can come and go as you please.”

“You own the bar?”

“Yep.” He turned to talk to the other bartender. “Sam, this is Josie.”

Sam shook her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Josie.”

Jake took her empty glass and put it in the rack along with the other dirty dishes. “I’m going to take Josie home. You mind holding down the fort tonight?”

Sam shook his head. “No problem. I’ll lock up and take care of the deposit.”

“Thank, Sam.” Jake walked to the cash register for a moment, then handed Josie’s credit card back to her. “Here.”

“Don’t I need to sign a slip or something?”

“Drink is on me. Least I can do, considering.”

She slipped the card back in her purse as he grabbed some keys from a cabinet. He lifted the hinged part of the bar and walked over, grasping her hand. “Ready?”

She nodded. “So ready.”

When they got to the parking lot, Jake paused. “My apartment is a couple blocks that way, so I don’t drive to work. Your car will be fine here if you want to leave it.”

She nodded. “Any dark alleys between your place and here?”

He frowned. “You really don’t plan to spend the night?”

“I told you that.”

He sighed. “Yeah. I know. Dark alleys don’t matter. I’ll walk you back here afterwards. Come on.”