Free Licked (L.A. Liaisons Book 1) by Brooke Blaine Page B

fridge.
    “How’s date night going?” I asked.  
    “Best night of my life,” he said with a smirk. Up close I could smell the faint hint of whatever sex-in-a-bottle cologne he was wearing. That had to be it. Pheromone cologne, making all the girls stop and drool. Cheater.
    I nodded at the women behind him who were stealing glances to make sure he was coming back. “Looks like you’ve got an adoring fan club already. You must not have opened your mouth yet.”
    His grin grew wider. “They don’t leave a lot of room to say much. But that’s the trick. Let the woman talk, and you come off as a great listener.”
    “Ah, spoken like a true playboy.”
    “Is that how you see me?”
    Shrugging, I said, “I don’t really notice one way or another.”
    “I saw your reaction when I walked in. Didn’t think I owned anything fancier than jeans and t-shirts?”
    “Was just surprised to see you here, that’s all. Didn’t think this was your kind of thing.”
    “It’s not.” Hunter shook his head. “I just thought after meeting that crazy woman in charge maybe you wouldn’t want to face the love fest alone.”
    “I’m doing just fine, but thanks.”
    “Yeah, I can see that.” He looked as though he wanted to say something else but stopped himself.  
    Well of course he wanted something else—I hadn’t even offered him a drink.  
    “Sorry, can I get you something?”
    He leaned over the counter like he was going to tell me a secret. “I’d love whatever your friend took a shot of earlier.” Looking back over his shoulder at the hungry women still eyeing him, he said, “Make that two.”
    I poured him two shots of the Rattlesnake concoction, and then made him an alcoholic Shirley Temple chaser, heavy on the grenadine so it turned bright pink. Then I topped it off with a straw and a purple umbrella. His brows were knitted as he took the drink out of my hands.  
    “You’re too kind,” he said, holding the glass as if there were some sort of growth coming out of it.  
    “Try it. You’ll like it. And besides.” I leaned over the counter like he’d done a minute ago. “Women love a man who wears pink.”
    There was a fire in Hunter’s eyes when I pulled away. His lips wrapped around the bendy straw I’d stuck inside the drink for an amusing effect, but as he sucked the juice into his mouth, there was nothing funny about it.  
    No, funny was not the right word. Figures he could make tasting a girly cocktail look sexy as hell. My face was getting warmer, and Hunter must’ve noticed, because his lips left the straw and he grinned again.  
    “I do love it pink and juicy.” He backed away as my eyes grew bigger, and I threw my towel in his direction. Laughing, he turned away and rejoined his group, the women gladly welcoming him back to the fold.  
    Cocky shit. Next time I was spiking his drink with Drano.

    IT HAD TAKEN Shayne and me a good half-hour to kick out the last of the stragglers—and that included Hunter, who’d insisted on helping move the tables and chairs back in order. I couldn’t complain too much, though, because after a long day I was dead on my feet.  
    As I untied my apron, a buzzing in the front pocket had me jumping. When I pulled out my cell, the screen showed Cameron was calling, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. After turning out the lights in the shop and opening the door that led to my apartment, I hit the answer button. “Cameron.”
    “Hey, I caught you. It’s not a bad time, is it?”
    Making my way up the stairs, I pulled the phone away from my ear to glance at the time. Almost midnight, which meant it was—I counted on my fingers—about three p.m. or so there. “Not at all. Just closing up shop. How’s everything going over there?”
    “Eh, could be better. Negotiations have been a bit intense and things are running behind schedule, so I apologize for not calling sooner.”
    “That’s okay. It’s been crazy here