Free Bouncer (Bad Boys in Big Trouble Book 2) by Fiona Roarke Page B

spray of what had to be at least two-dozen mixed color roses in a vase. There was a bucket with a bottle of champagne, iced and ready.
    He disappeared into what she presumed was the kitchen when he reappeared with two chilled champagne flutes. He grabbed the bottle, removed the foil, popped the cork and poured them each a glass.
    “To excellent scratching.” She held up her glass in salute.
    “And hopefully to more of it.” He clinked his glass against hers.
    She took a sip. It was sweet, crisp and very good.
    “Are you hungry?”
    “Famished.” Jessica couldn’t remember her last meal.
    He took her hand and led her into his kitchen. From the refrigerator he pulled out a platter with a variety of cheeses, sliced meat and fruit decoratively placed alongside sliced bread and crackers.
    “Thanks.” She made a little sandwich and studied him as he leaned against the small kitchen island where he’d placed the food and munched on crackers.
    “Did you ever get through all that paperwork?”
    “No. Just the initial incident report. Likely it’ll seem like a forever project, with a minimum of two to three weeks before the conclusion. But on a brighter side, I’m starting an exciting new project soon.”
    “Awesome. Wait—am I the exciting new project?” He gave her a devastatingly sexy smile.
    She took a long sip of champagne and murmured, “No, but you’re running a close second.”
    “I’d like to keep seeing you Smith, but I don’t want to scare you off or press you into something you don’t want.”
    She studied him. He was fabulous, perfect even. She’d be stupid to relinquish him so soon. She should find out more about him before making any snap judgments about him based on the amazing sex they had together.
    “Saturday night you told me you had women throwing themselves at you at work. Will you tell me what your job is?”
    “I guess that’s fair since I know yours now. I’m a bouncer at the Lexicon Club.”
    “A bouncer?”
    “Well, technically my title is security specialist, but I was never one to put on airs.”
    She gave him a once over. He looked exactly like a bouncer. A gorgeous one. She’d be willing to bet women offered all manner of enticements to get into the most exclusive club in the city.
    “Disappointed in my career choices, Smith?” He ate another cracker and took a sip of his drink. But he watched her closely, as if steeling himself for a negative response.
    “No, not at all. I was just thinking about all those women who offer to do exactly what I did tonight so they can get to the head of the line and into your club faster.” She lifted her eyebrows in question.
    “I told you, I always turn them down.”
    “Hmm. Really? Always? You’ve never taken anyone up on it?”
    She saw a flash of something in his eyes. Regret? Sorrow? Pain? But just as quickly as it appeared, it was replaced by a mischievous expression.
    “Okay, in the name of full disclosure, I did make one mistake a very long time ago that I’ve sworn I won’t repeat. There was a woman. She fooled me, which isn’t easy to do. She wanted easy access to the club. I was her way inside. Turns out we weren’t exclusive like I thought. In fact, she had the hots for just about every other guy available within her airspace.” He shrugged, but she could tell it had hurt him to some degree.
    “I see. So I shouldn’t expect to gain access to your club.” Again that flash of sorrow, as if he thought of something completely distasteful then thrust it from his mind. She certainly understood what kind of effect that could have on a person.
    He grinned. “Of course I’d let you in, Smith. Do you like to dance?”
    “No. I’m not a party, dance-club sort of girl.” She shrugged. She’d always hated the club scene. “Remember when I promised you the first night we were together that I wasn’t looking for a boyfriend?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m reconsidering my options.”
    “Are you? Excellent. I believe that