Body Shots Read Free

was the nature of the business.
    “We’re just about done loading the van,” a voice said behind her. Chills ran through her body.
    Damn. Plastering a smile on her face she turned.
    “Great night.”
    “Thanks for giving us a chance.”
    “Anytime.” She slid an envelope across the bar. “You guys rocked the house.”
    “The band before us was pretty hot too. That singer was on fire.”
    Jealousy surged through her. Was Reed interested in Lita , with that to-die-for body and that killer voice? What guy wouldn’t want to get to know her better?
    “ Lita’s incredible.”
    “Yes, she is. Hey, do you mind if I have a beer or are you shut down for the night?”
    Her head told her to deny him but her heart trumped her. “Sure, one Corona coming up.”
    She went to the cooler and removed the beer. She reached for a slice of lime and stuck the wedge in the opening. “Here you go.”
    He pushed the wedge into the beer with his thumb and then licked the juice from his finger.
    She groaned, imagining that tongue on her, tasting her.
    “Something wrong?” Reed asked.
    She shook her head, realizing he’d heard her groan. “Just remembering something I have to do tomorrow.”
    She stood there uneasy. She didn’t want to make small talk with him. She wanted him to drink his beer and get a move on. Because if he stayed she was going to continue to wonder if his lips were still as baby soft as they were ten years ago. Or if they felt like butterfly wings tickling the skin when he kissed her stomach. She had to forget about things like that and about Reed. One look at her stomach now and he’d be running for the door, like all the others.
    She’d saved him from a lifetime of misery and disgust when she disappeared. Because she knew Reed would have done the right thing and stuck by her but she also knew he wouldn’t be able to stand looking at her body every night when they went to bed or made love. It was disfigured and flat-out gross.
    “Hey Reed, we’re all set. We’re gonna take off.”
    “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow to square up, Tim,” he said, holding the money envelope up for his band mate’s view.
    “Sounds good.”
    They waved goodbye and closed the door tightly behind them.
    Why was he lingering? He should be leaving with his band mates, not sticking around her bar. She wanted to lock up, finish cleaning and escape to the safety of her apartment. Away from him.
    He returned his gaze to her. He was undressing her with his hazel eyes. She could feel the power of his stare.
    She darted away from the bar toward the back door, out from under his gaze.
    “You can finish your beer but I have to lock this door. Don’t want any stragglers roaming in thinking we’re still open. I’ll just be tidying up. Don’t pay no mind to me.” She started wiping down tables and rearranging chairs, anything to keep busy.
    She heard his footsteps. Fuck! He was headed in her direction. Pretending she didn’t hear him or sense his closeness she continued brushing peanut shells onto the floor, where she’d eventually sweep them up.
    “We’re alone now.” His fingertips brushed over the small of her back, where her tank top had ridden up, exposing a small area of skin. “You can be honest now. I know your name is not Laura. God, Sierra give me some credit.”
    His voice was pleading, not angry, like she’d expect.
    Slowly, she turned. They were face to face. She stepped back hitting the top of her legs against the table. Nowhere to run. Like a trapped animal. She couldn’t flee. Yes, this was the biggest mistake she’d ever made. Somehow, some way she had to get herself out of this mess.
    “Listen, Reed.” She turned her eyes away. What could she say? What lie could she concoct to get him to leave her alone?
    He closed the minimal gap between them, sucking the air from her lungs. He reached out touching her face.
    “Admit it. Tell me you’re not Laura.”
    She crumbled under his touch. “I’m not