Free Some Like It in Handcuffs by Christine Warner Page B

chest in an exaggerated swoon. His friends laughed.
    She balanced the circular tray over her shoulder and rounded the bar toward their table. Sunny placed their drinks on napkins in front of them. “There you go boys, drink up.”
    When the cool touch of an unexpected hand glided up the back of her leg to cup her behind she jumped and spun around. “Don’t touch the help, buddy.”
    The stranger leaned back in his chair, cocking his head to one side. His pale blue gaze slid over her from head to foot, as if appraising her. A smirk pulled at the corners of his thin lips. “Relax kitten, I’m just having some fun.”
    Her first reaction was to hit him with her tray, but she held her breath and counted to five in silence.
    “Not my kind of fun.”
    Play it cool. You’ve been through this before. Craig had taught her several wrestling moves that had come in handy over the years. Her hands fisted as she prepared to put one or two into action.
    The hollow laugh of the stranger caused the hairs on the back of her neck to rise. Her toes clenched inside her sparkly red stilettos. He tossed his long, dirty-blond hair from his face. “No need to play hard to get.”
    Everyone underestimated her ability to bring a grown man to his knees. Just last week she’d surprised a guy when he’d cornered her outside the restroom. She’d warned him nicely, but when he made a grab for her, she flipped him over her back so that he hit the floor with a thud before he’d had a chance to blink. He’d left the bar not only with a bruised back but a dented ego as well.
    “Does it look like I’m playing?” Her jaw tightened and she threw his hand away when he tried to grab her wrist. He raised his palms in a sign of surrender and Sunny turned to leave.
    He lunged forward and grabbed her around the waist. She struggled against him, but he tightened his hold. The serving tray in her hand crashed to the floor. The man’s large sweaty palms slid around her bared mid section and she dug at his fingers, but he chuckled and tightened his grip.
    Don’t lose it, don’t panic.
    Sunny threw her hands behind her to wrap them around his neck, pulling his head down with a whack to her shoulder. The stranger’s nose connected with a loud thud and he shook his head. Pain streaked down her shoulder, but she ignored it.
    Joe from the next table stood to come to her aid, but the greasy blue eyed ape shoved him backward with one hand, he stumbled into his table of friends and fell to the floor.
    “Back off—” Sunny’s gaze darted around as she tried to find the part time bouncer. He usually seemed to pick and choose his hours and even when he was supposed to be on duty, he’d be scarce.
    “You like it rough, kitten, is that it?” He yanked her down onto his lap and held her there. His scent, a mixture of booze, cigars and sweat made her want to gag. The feel of his breath on her neck and his body against hers sent a shock of revulsion through her. Anger and panic collided inside of her. Her heel dug into his shin at the same time as she angled her elbow and rammed it into his ribs. “I told you to—”
    His body stiffened and his fingers dug into her stomach. “Hey, get—”
    “Let the lady up.”
    The hard edged voice came from above. The man loosened his grip and Sunny stopped struggling. They both looked up into the solid stare of Judson’s dark smoldering eyes. His solid frame towered over them, blocking out the smoky lights overhead.
    Sunny swallowed. He looked intimidating. Part of her resented his interference, but another part welcomed it. He stepped closer, his eyes silver slits. “Let her up.”
    The low growl of Judson’s voice sent a wave of unease through Sunny. Her body went stiff, the stranger still held her, but slid his damp palms around to her back.
    “Hey man, calm down.” He shoved her away from him with such force her ankle twisted and her heel fell off. Judson steadied her with one hand before she fell to her knees.