Now and Again by Brenda Rothert Read Free Book Online Page B

approached.
    “Glad you made it, Cupcake,” he said, winking as she slid onto the stool next to him. Layla’s cheeks warmed as the man Ben was talking to said goodbye and left.
    “How’s it going?” she asked.
    “Not bad. How was work?”
    “Just the usual stress. I went and saw the building my sister bought to open a bakery in, and it’s such a disaster.” Layla shook her head and sighed.
    “Is she hiring a contractor?”
    “I don’t know. She and her boyfriend are working on it for now, and I’m helping this weekend. It’s probably got rats and God knows what else in it.”
    A wiry woman with short gray hair and dark, suntanned skin pushed another bottle of beer in front of Ben and he flashed his million dollar smile at her.
    “Thanks, gorgeous,” he said, winking. Though she waved dismissively, Layla could see the older woman’s eyes glowing. She went down to the other end of the bar, leaving Ben and Layla alone once again.
    “You’re a flirt,” Layla said, giving him a look. Ben smiled as he took a pull from his fresh bottle of beer.
    “I don’t hear you complaining when I flirt with you,” he said, glancing at her.
    Layla laughed nervously, wishing she had a snappy comeback. But he was right. Ben broke the silence, giving her an earnest look.
    “I’m actually not a flirt,” he said. “You and Doreen—” he gestured to the older woman who was pouring alcohol into shot glasses, “—are the only women I’ve flirted with in a while.”
    “Really?” Layla asked skeptically.
    “Really. You can ask any of the guys. I’m pretty much a serious asshole.”
    “Well, it’s been a while since anyone flirted with me,” she said as Doreen came back to their end.
    “Want anything?” the bartender asked, raising her brows at Layla.
    “Sure, I’ll have a Malibu and pineapple.”
    Ben turned to Layla as soon as Doreen was out of earshot.
    “You saying no one’s flirted with you in a while has to be the biggest line of bullshit I’ve ever heard,” he said. “I guarantee it happens all the time.”
    Layla shrugged. “Men looking at my boobs isn’t flirting. I mean real flirting … the kind that makes you feel good. Like you made Doreen feel. You saw her smiling; you probably made her night.”
    “Do I make you feel good?” The intensity in his eyes as he looked at her made Layla hot all over. She pulled her hair away from her neck and laid it over her shoulder.
    “Yes. When you’re not frustrating the hell out of me, you make me feel good.”
    “Hey, Montrose!” A tall man with dark features approached, grinning at Layla though he’d spoken to Ben. “And you are?” He extended his hand toward her.
    “Fuck off, Landon. This is a private conversation,” Ben said. The man shook his head and walked away.
    Doreen sat Layla’s drink in front of her and Ben glanced at it, smiling.
    “This is the only one I’m having,” she said.
    He raised his brows and laughed. “I didn’t say anything.”
    “Hey, put his on my tab, too,” Layla called to Doreen.
    “Like hell. Give me the tab, Doreen.” Ben’s sigh of indignation made Layla laugh.
    “If you want to make me feel good, let me buy the drinks,” she said. “You always buy.”
    “As I should.”
    Layla turned toward him with a glare. “Oh, don’t go all old-fashioned on me. I work damn hard so I can pay my own way and take care of myself.”
    “That’s your problem,” Ben said. “You come off as a woman who doesn’t want or need anything from anyone.”
    “That’s because I don’t.”
    “Bullshit.”
    “Are you going to start in about everyone needing love and companionship?” Layla snapped, her anger rising. “I have friends for that. I didn’t think you were one of those guys who judged independent women, but I should have known better. Are you a fucking Republican?”
    Ben threw his head back with laughter. “I couldn’t give a shit about politics, Cupcake. Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I can tell