I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with the cops either. I slid out of the seat and unfolded my six-one frame. “Hey, before I go. Amy been in here lately?”
“Nah, you looking for her again?”
“Just haven’t heard from her in a while.”
“How long’s a while?”
“Couple months.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah, but you know how she is.”
“I do. She was always the wanderer. But I’m sure she’ll turn up.”
Yeah, but where and when was anybody’s guess. “She always does.”
“If I see her, I’ll tell her to call.”
“Thanks, man.”
“You got it.” Jon clapped me on the shoulder and gave me a clipped nod. “You know I’ll always look out for you guys.”
That was the damn truth. Jon had been looking after us since we’d been unruly teens and gotten us out of a shit-ton of trouble. So the least I could do for him was go and save GQ from any more Mitch-handling tonight.
I made my way down the bar, through the groups of men chatting and drinking it up. There were several regulars tonight, and they acknowledged me with a nod, while others checked out the latest body to move into their line of vision. Now wasn’t the time for that, however, as I kept my eyes locked on GQ. Not that he had any idea who I was—but he was about to.
I moved past Mitch to where his less-than-excited companion had his head bent down over his phone as though he were hoping he could disappear inside it. I couldn’t see his face to give him a heads-up, but as I slipped in between him and the guy sitting to his right, he looked up, and I was happy to have the bar top handy.
Fuck. The guy was gorgeous. With full lips and a masculine jaw line covered in stubble the same color as the chestnut strands on his head, he had a classic, handsome look about him. A sophisticated sexiness that had nothing to do with the designer outfit he wore, and everything to do with his broad shoulders and Roman-like features.
I’d been too far away earlier to get a good look at him. But as my eyes traveled over him now, I could’ve punched Jon for talking me into this. The last thing I needed was to stare into a face like his. It was a face that could make you stupid. A face that could make you forget all the rules you put in place. But I was here now, and I’d made a promise to Jon, so before I could talk myself out of it, I reached out and hooked a finger under one of those ridiculous—but sexy—suspenders.
“Hey, babe, sorry I got held up.”
GQ’s eyes widened, shock crossing his features, before he looked to where I was sliding my finger up and down the narrow strip of elastic fabric.
“You haven't been waiting long, have you?”
“Uh…” GQ raised his head, and when it was clear his words had left him, I looked at Mitch, who was watching the two of us through bleary eyes.
“You trying to move in on my guy, Mitch?” I glanced to GQ, and when he continued to just stare at me, I winked.
“Nah.” Mitch waved a hand through the air. “You know me, Jameson. Just being friendly. That’s all.”
“Uh huh.” I smirked at GQ, who now looked about two seconds away from asking who the hell I was, then slipped another finger under his suspenders and tugged him my way. Seeming to realize he needed to move with the motion or lose the accessory altogether, GQ leaned into me, and the striking color of his eyes caught me off guard.
There were swirls of green, brown, and gold staring back at me. The hazel tone was like some rare jewel. Before I started spouting poetry or some shit, I shook my head and asked, “Was that all he was doing? Being friendly?”
GQ licked his lips, and that was when I saw it, the wheels starting to turn behind the eyes again, and I wondered what he was going to do next.
Was he going to throw Mitch under the bus? Tell me to take a fucking hike? Just because Jon and I thought he needed help, that didn’t actually mean he did. But then a spark lit his eyes, and he reached out to place a hand on my leather jacket and squeezed.
“Mitch was just…keeping me company until you got here.” He threw a quick smile over his shoulder. “Weren’t you, Mitch?”
So, he’s going to play along after all. Smart man.
“Yeah, uh, that’s right.”
GQ turned his attention back to me and smoothed his palm across my shoulder to rest it on my chest.
“See? No need to worry or grumble at him. Be nice…Jameson.”
He patted my chest for good measure, a cheeky glint in his eyes as he finally caught up with the plan and seemingly approved.
“Well, as long as that’s all it was.”
“’Twas, I swear. Here.” Mitch slipped off his stool and gestured to me. “Come sit ’ere. Take my spot.”
“Actually, I—”
My words halted as GQ pressed his fingers into the leather beneath his palm and winked at me.
I was about done with this now. The last thing I needed was for him to get the impression I was interested in more than just saving his ass. He wasn’t my type, and I definitely wasn’t his, considering the clothes he was wearing were worth more than what I paid in rent each month.
I placed my hand over his and stilled it. I needed to get us back on track. I needed to give him and myself an out. “I was actually going to see if you wanted to get out of here.”
“Get out of here?” GQ let his gaze roam down over me, and despite my every intention not to be interested, my traitorous cock took interest. “Um, sure, let me just pay for my drinks.”
“No need. I got it when I came in.”
GQ looked over to Jon, who nodded our way.
Yep, he’s in on it too. You’re welcome.
“Oh, okay, thanks, babe.” GQ slipped off the stool, and I wasn’t sure why, but I was surprised when we were face to face. He was taller than I’d expected. Then he held his coat out to me. “Would you be a doll and help me with this?”
I narrowed my eyes on the expensive coat then reached out and took it from him. It was clear he was getting a kick out of my little savior routine now and milking it for all it was worth. But the sooner I got him dressed, the sooner I could get him out the door. A good motto for most situations when it came to men I picked up in bars.
I scanned the place, noticed several of the regulars looking my way, and made a mental note to make Jon pay for this the next time I saw him. I held up the coat, and when GQ turned to slip his arms into it, an expensive scent hit my nose. It was fresh and sensual, with citrus and aquatic aromas that made me think of blue waters of the Mediterranean, and it made me want to step in behind him and nuzzle into the crook of his neck.
What the actual fuck? You’re trying to get rid of him, Jameson. Not take him home with you. Let the guy go.
I quickly released the coat and took a step back. He turned and said, “Ready when you are,” and I hauled ass out of that bar, determined to put as much space between me and him as soon as humanly possible.
Chapter 3
Ryan
I WASN’T USUALLY a believer in miracles, but as I followed the broad-shouldered sex god heading toward the door of the bar, I thought that maybe I should reconsider that. What else could explain his sudden appearance after I’d just wished for a way out of the situation I was in?