Full Moon by Mari Carr Read Free Book Online

calmed the waters. They were laughing at something Jake had said. She smiled. Then she ignored the stranger and stood up, approaching Jake just as the two men shook his hand and said goodbye.
    “Hey, gorgeous.” Jake glanced at his watch. “It’s only been fifteen minutes. Are you coming to give me the brush-off?”
    She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to wait an hour.”
    Jake’s eyes darkened with lust and her body responded instantly. “Come with me.”
    She accepted Jake’s proffered hand.
    Jake stopped by the bar, told Sam he was taking a break. Sam caught sight of her next to his boss and smiled. “Hey, Josie.”
    She waved, unable to muster any embarrassment at Sam’s knowing wink. Had Jake been talking about her? He’d mentioned looking for her this past month. Perhaps he’d included Sam on the bourbon and Diet Coke prowl, enlisting help in his search.
    If that was true, then not only was she running the risk of becoming too attached to the handsome bartender, she could hurt Jake as well. Because her game plan hadn’t changed. There wasn’t room in her life for a boyfriend. She had reacted without thought, coming to Jake with no real strategy. Once again, where Jake was concerned, she found herself letting her libido do the thinking.
    “Where’s Shelly?”
    Shit. Josie had forgotten all about her friend. Leave it to Jake to be the considerate one. Josie had let her body take over and wipe away all traces of common sense and courtesy. He led her to the edge of the dance floor and Josie waved, capturing Shelly’s attention. She gestured to Jake and pointed to the back door.
    “Full moon,” she mouthed.
    Shelly grinned and held up her finger. “One hour?” Though Josie couldn’t hear Shelly’s voice, she could read the words on her lips.
    Josie nodded slowly. Damn. One hour? Will that be enough time?
    Jake, who had watched the exchange, chuckled and echoed her thought. “I guess we’ll have to make the most of this next hour, then.”
    She let him pull her away from the crowded floor. “This is the last full moon for us, Jake.” She wasn’t sure why she’d felt compelled to make the pronouncement, but she didn’t doubt for a moment, the words were meant for her, not him.
    He released her hand, wrapping his arm around her waist. “We’ll see.”
    She wanted to dig in her heels, fight him on that point before they went any further. She needed to make him understand that this would definitely be their final night together. It had to be.
    Unfortunately, her physical needs kept her quiet and she didn’t say anything. Instead, she followed him to the back exit. They stepped out into a dark, somewhat-secluded alley. While the area was shadowed and not well-traveled, anyone could walk along—either from the street, the exit they’d just used or from the back door of the building adjacent to Blue Moon.
    Jake let her take in their surroundings for a minute or so before asking, “Public enough?”
    There was an undeniable thrill attached to the knowledge that anyone could come along at any moment. The chance of being caught combined with Jake’s hungry look was intoxicating. Perfect. “Yeah. It is.”
    “Too cold?”
    It was mid-February and there was a brisk breeze blowing. Regardless, after spending nearly an hour in the overheated club, the cool air felt good on her skin. Maybe the chill would clear her head, convince her this wasn’t such a good idea. She was starting to like Jake way too much.
    Before she could reconsider, he pressed her against the back wall of the bar and kissed her. Josie melted into him as memories of their first night together drifted back to her. She hadn’t imagined any of it. He was an amazing kisser.
    Jake took possession of her mouth like a man on a mission. She wrapped her arms around his neck, savoring the sweet taste of soda on his tongue. He was yummy and she wanted more.
    His hands drifted to her jacket, parting it to squeeze her breasts through her