Some Like It in Handcuffs by Christine Warner Read Free Book Online Page B

then nodded, his lips parted to show his crooked yellowish teeth, and the low light in the room gave him an eerie glow.
    “Ya’re missed upstairs. Lots of people need drinks.”
    Sunny turned sideways to press past him, grabbed the case of beer she needed from the row of coolers along the wall outside of Benny’s office and bounded up the steps, but not before she shot Slater a quick glance over her shoulder. He stood in the doorway where she’d left him. His hollow gaze raked over her, crinkling at the corners as they narrowed.
    Her hasty retreat caused her to trip on the last step, but she didn’t slow down until she burst through the swinging door to the bar. Benny was heading behind the counter at the same time and caught her as she stumbled into his arms.
    “Whoa, sweetheart, slow down.” Benny grinned.
    Sunny wiped her brow with the back of her hand as she balanced the small crate of beer she’d brought up from the basement against her leg and gave Benny an enthusiastic smile.
    “Sorry. I was low on these.” She kneeled to restock the cooler beneath the bar, unable to look Benny in the eye, fearing he’d know what she’d discovered in his office file cabinet. Disgust with herself for doubting him churned her insides. He’d never hurt Karina, but now she knew for sure. No man would keep all of those letters and pictures unless he had been in love, and was still in love after all of these years.
    “Not a problem. I’ll mix a few drinks and get you caught up.”
    From there the night moved along like any other except for the hairs on the back of Sunny’s neck never relaxed, and neither did her heartbeat. Not only had her run in with Slater unnerved her, but she still couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
    After they closed, Benny waited while Sunny finished restocking the liquor and wiped down the counters. It’d become his habit to walk her and the dancers to their cars. Because it had been busy she’d parked at the far end of the lot tonight, although that had been her last choice. Despite Benny’s presence, Sunny swallowed and turned to her right. Something didn’t seem right. Did she see a shadow move or was it her imagination? Her flesh prickled with goose bumps. Relief raced through her when a stray dog scuttled by chasing an empty food container blowing in the wind.
    “Thanks again for seeing me to my car, but I’m a big girl and would’ve been fine.” Just hearing her voice, even when she doubted her words, chased away her fears.
    “Sweetheart, you’re only a big girl in your mind. You can’t weigh more than one hundred pounds soaking wet with a brick strapped to your ankle.”
    “I think you’re exaggerating a wee bit, Benny.” Sunny giggled.
    “Well, you had an admirer tonight, and I wanted to make sure he wasn’t out here waiting for you.”
    Sunny stopped short. “What are you talking about?”
    “Didn’t you see the guy in the booth Slater usually sits in?” Benny looked down at her. His brow creased. The rough life he’d led showed in wrinkles lining his leathery skin like a well used road map. He appeared at least ten years older than his actual age.
    “No, I guess I didn’t pay much attention, but we were kinda busy tonight.” Sunny’s gaze darted around the parking lot. Her chest constricted and she fought to inhale.
    “I watched him and he couldn’t take his eyes off you. Even when one of the girls took a break from dancing and tried to chat him up, he brushed her off.”
    “What’d he look like? Was he cute?” Sunny chuckled in an effort to make light of the situation. Benny laughed too, but they both sounded tense. If it turned out one of her brothers was onto her and had slipped into the bar to spy, she didn’t want to alert Benny.
    “Actually I couldn’t see him too well.” He rested his arm over her shoulder and hugged her to his side. “He was large, dark, and wore a cowboy hat, so I couldn’t see his face, or much else.”
    “Hmm, tall,