Free Tempting Sydney by Angela Corbett

relationship—by any definition.”
    My brows came together in an angry line. “I really don’t think you know me well enough to make that call.”
    He shrugged. “I know your type.”
    I was about to tell him off again, but he dropped his shorts and my witty comeback was lost. My mouth fell open and I stared.
    He smirked. “Never seen a mostly naked man before, huh? Guess that doesn’t say much for your previous boyfriends.”
    The jab brought me back to my senses enough to stop staring at the huge bulge confronting me. He wasn’t completely naked, but he was close. The only thing delineating him from being a living version of the Statue of David was his gray boxer briefs. I refused to acknowledge that thought further. “Don’t be dumb. Of course I have.”
    “On TV?” he asked, his tone infuriating.
    “Screw you.”
    He walked toward me, pushing into my personal space, getting closer and closer. “Be careful, sweetheart. One of these times, I might take you up on that offer.”
    My mouth fell open. It was at that very moment my phone rang…which was strange. Not many people actually used the phone to talk any more. I was used to texts instead. I took a step away from Jax’s danger zone, and turned my back toward the very tangible temptation that stood a few strides from me. I looked at the phone. Brynn’s name was on the display. “Hey, is something wrong?”
    “No, I just need you to come to a bar with me tonight.”
    “That’s the emergency that warranted a phone call? A demand to meet you at a bar? I thought something was wrong with you! You could have just texted me!” I was in the middle of something!, I wanted to scream. Something super important! The image of Jax in nothing but a tiny piece of cotton covering a massive piece of man was making me breathless.
    “No! I need to give your name to the guys so they can get us into the VIP section. I had to make sure you were coming with me first.”
    I sighed. “Where?”
    “Edge. It’s the new, all glass building on Third.”
    “Well, I seriously doubt anything Edgy is going to be happening if the building is all glass.”
    I could feel her rolling her eyes. “You need a better imagination.”
    I rubbed the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. “What time?”
    “Nine. And don’t be late! I’ll meet you there.”
    “Yeah, yeah. See you then.”
    I turned back around and caught my breath. Jax was in the exact same position as when I’d moved, and he was still watching me. Judging by his intent stare, I got the impression he’d been watching me through the whole conversation. I couldn’t tell if he was interested in the discussion, or annoyed. “You have a date?”
    I snorted. “Or something.”
    He waited, and the awkward moment got even more awkward, prompting me to keep talking and give way more information than I should have. “I just get dragged to parties, bars, and anywhere else Brynn wants to go because she loves being social.”
    He watched me. “You don’t love it, though. So why do you go?” He always seemed so interested in my answers that it sometimes made me feel like everything I said was being dissected. Now was no different.
    “Because I don’t want her to go alone. She needs someone to watch her back.”
    He folded his arms across his chest, drawing my eye to his massive pecs, which was good so I had something else massive to focus on that wasn’t in the same vicinity of his crotch. “And who watches yours?”
    I lifted one shoulder. “Mine doesn’t need watching.” I pulled my keys from my pocket. “Looks like you’ve got everything under control here.” I gestured to him and his lack of attire. “Thanks for the show. I’ll see you next time I need an oil change.”
    I immediately winced at my choice of words.
    He grinned and held my eyes like he was trying to decide his next move. I knew mine, though, and it was out the door, far away from this volatile situation that wasn’t at all helped by