Free Body of Work by Karla Doyle Page B

at the university down the road—made eye contact and waved the money. When she’d been on the other side of the equation, she’d always gravitated to people with the cash at the ready, namely when the amount in their hand should accommodate a healthy tip. And here came the bartender, right on schedule.
    “Money talks, right?”
    Strong, tanned forearms swiped a rag across the bar in front of her. “What money? All I saw were gorgeous blue eyes looking at me.”
    “Nicely done,” she said, and he laughed. “I’ll have a Jäger Bomb, please.”
    “Going hardcore, I like it. But how about I mix you something that tastes better and won’t make your pretty face numb?”
    A bartender who didn’t want to push an easy drink at her and move her out of the way—nicely done indeed. “Sure.” She squeezed tighter to the bar to avoid an oblivious drunk on her left side. “Whatever you have in mind, I’m game.”
    “Words to get me through the night.” He winked.
    A quality wink, playful and sexy without a hint of creepiness. Here was a guy she would have gone home with not so long ago. She knew his type—easygoing and mildly adventurous in the sack. Like medium chicken wings—not too bland, not spicy enough to singe the senses. A good diversion for a night. But not this night. Not any night since she’d developed her Brian-fatuation.
    The blond placed a tall shot glass in front of her and layered in melon liqueur, Baileys and Jägermeister. “Bottoms up.”
    She handed him the cash and lifted the glass. The aromas of sugar and alcohol filled her nose. She believed him that it’d taste good, but she bet the innocent-looking concoction still held the power to numb her face. “It’s really pretty. What is it?”
    “Loch Ness Monster.”
    “Ooh, sounds dangerous. Should I be scared?”
    Another laugh as he placed her change on the bar. “Only if you have multiple sightings.”
    “Thanks for the warning.” Cassie tipped her head back. Nessie floated over her tongue and rolled down her throat, setting off a mixed reaction. Happy taste buds at the entry point, focused channel of fire as the alcohol crept lower. She swallowed the last drop and shook her head. “Wow.”
    “Want another?”
    “God no. I can only swallow one monster at a time.”
    “You’re killing me here, gorgeous.” He caught her hand as she pushed a generous, well-deserved tip his way. “Come back to my section for all your drinks tonight. I’ll take good care of you.”
    “That’s a sweet invitation, but that was it for me—I’m here to dance, not drink.”
    “Then just…come back.”
    Oh, it was that kind of invitation. “I—” The harmless fib poised on the tip of her tongue vanished when she caught sight of Brian in her peripheral vision, hovering over a curvy young blonde with hair that hung halfway down her back. Speaking of monsters, Cassie’s green-eyed one reared its ugly head, higher and stronger than ever. She blinked her attention back to the bartender and smiled. “I will.”

Chapter Five
     
    What the fuck. When Dave had come to tell him Cassie was at the door, dropping his name, Brian assumed—stupidly—she’d come to see him. He’d tracked her the second she walked through the archway, yet she’d headed straight to the bar instead of searching him out. Ten minutes later, she was practically holding JT’s hand while the guy drooled on the bar in front of her, ignoring the rest of his customers.
    Too bad he couldn’t bounce the staff.
    Maybe he wouldn’t have to, now that Cassie had abandoned the bar. JT still had a smile on his face, the bastard. The night was young and the back parking lot was dark—Brian could straighten JT out later, if necessary. Make sure the only fluid JT gave Cassie came from a bottle.
    The girl who’d latched on to Brian earlier kept chatting, following him as he trailed Cassie through the crowd. Bouncer groupies. Made no sense to him, but there were always a few. He’d have to