Don't Close Your Eyes by Lynessa James Read Free Book Online

you.  Jase has been coming here long enough to know this about me, and while we are close, Jase’s closeness affected me in ways I had to say prayers of forgiveness for.  He knew what he was doing.  I lifted one corner of my mouth while rolling my eyes, pretty much admitting defeat while I released my heavy exhale.  I turned and slapped his arm. 
    "You're such a brat, Jase."
    "Uh, huh, but that's why you love me.  Admit it, you're smitten.  Too afraid of the way you feel about me, that's why you avoid my every advance..."  He was only a few inches from my face now, and his forehead was almost touching mine as he leaned in closer.  Eek!
    "Uh, huh, that's why," I told him dryly, barely keeping my face neutral, determined to hold my ground come hell or high water in my competitive nature.
    His face was serious, but his eyes held mischief.  "If you want, we can totally explore those feelings after you get off of work," he breathed, his voice intentionally low.  Dang, he was laying it on thick, and it was still early in the day!  He reached up and held my chin in his fingers, pulling my face toward his.  His thumb ran across my bottom lip.  I swallowed reflexively.  Oh ...
    The bell over the door jangled again, and I looked up to see who was coming in.  Jase groaned in protest.  "Aw, Jase, that's too bad, you almost had me that time," I purred coquettishly.  I pulled away from him and began wiping the bar as he chuckled in response.  I smiled, partially out of relief.  Literally saved by the bell.  He was good.
    A guy walked up to Jase, and Jase turned to give him a guy hug.  You know, that hug that guys do where they grasp a hand and throw the other over each others shoulders?  Hmmm...  I couldn't help but be curious.  Jase didn't have too many men he showed affection for.  Nix that, I had never seen him treat any other man like this.  Interesting. 
    "Hey, Babe, get us a couple beers over here," Jase said absently.  I didn’t answer him right away, so he looked up at me.  "Sorry, Kins, I meant will you please get us a couple beers over here?" he smiled sheepishly.  Oh, now he was playing at well-mannered and adorable?  Psh!  Yeah right, mister!
    I just smiled, "Sure, Jase."
    I couldn't help but eavesdrop out of curiosity over the conversation playing out between the two men behind me as I grabbed their bottles and pulled off the caps.  They were exchanging the normal pleasantries, asking about each others families and such.  There was a short pause in their conversation as I placed the beer in front of them.  I was a suddenly taken aback by the blue eyes that met mine at that moment.  I gasped, and it was so obvious that I turned quickly in embarrassment.  I cursed my stupidity silently and forced myself to relax and smile before turning back around.  Playing at indifference, I asked if they needed anything else.   I think I was believable...  Possibly...  Jeez...
    TDH.  That's the label we give the "Tall, Dark, and Hot" guys who walk in here.  For all they knew it was bartender lingo for a type of drink.  Fairly convenient.  Only right now, there were no other females to share in admiring this particular TDH with.  Dang it.  Such a shame.  Maybe he will still be here when Kayleigh comes in.  It would certainly be a shame for her to miss out on those preppy good looks.  He was clean-cut for the most part, but held a definite edge that had you thinking twice about that assumption, almost authoritative.  Just the fact that he was so attractive was enough to hold your attention long enough to want to figure him out.
    I finished wiping down the bar and grabbed a tray to make rounds by cleaning up the tables and handing out more beer and refills to the regulars.  When I came back to check on the guys, they seemed to be done talking about the business they had and were now focused on me as I disposed of their empties.  I ran my towel quickly over the place where the bottles had