One Hot Night Old Port Nights, Book 1 Read Free

stop. I don’t intend to be the butt of your jokes when you go back over to the bar, thank you.”
    He pulled back with a frown.
    “Why would you think that? I mean, it’s funny that you got yourself in this position, but no, I’m not coming on to you to go back to the bar and joke about it. No way.”
    She looked doubtful.
    Scott added, “I’m coming on to you because I like you. I’ve liked you for a long time, and I think you know it. I could ask why you always say no?”
    “I just…I thought…I’m not exactly your type.”
    “And what is my type, exactly?”
    Her expression turned from hesitant to incredulous, and he noticed a light sprinkle of freckles on her nose.
    Cute.
    “Much younger and more scantily dressed, for instance.”
    She had noticed who he was with, at least. That meant she was interested. He never saw her with anyone.
    “I like to spend some time with a pretty girl now and then, sure, but most of the girls you see in the news or at the bar, they’re just sports fans or friends.”
    “Whatever. It’s none of my business.”
    Scott smiled and leaned in a little closer. “Would you like it to be?”
    Her eyes widened. “You can’t say age doesn’t matter. I’m way older than you.”
    “Not way older. Just a few years older,” he countered. “And no, it doesn’t matter one bit to me.”
    Scott knew her age. He’d gotten a copy of her driver’s license for the rental contract. He could give a fig about the age difference. He knew people in their thirties who had bodies of sixty year olds after abusing them for years. In contrast, one of his uncles was near seventy-five and running marathons. Number of years meant little in the scope of things.
    Leaning in, he licked his lips, anticipating her taste as the door in front opening rang the bell—it had to be Nick.
    He winked at Audra. “Saved by the bell, honey.” Then he yelled, “Nick, back here!”
    Scott wasn’t sure if it was relief or disappointment that flashed over Audra’s expression when he stepped away. She was clearly feeling a bit mortified when Nick showed up with his tool case, staring at her curiously and at Scott.
    “What did I walk into here?” Nick asked, teasing his friend and winking at Audra, who blushed furiously.
    Her lips clamped down and did that thing that Scott loved.
    Damn. Nick had lousy timing.
    “Ms. Leone was testing out these shackles and the key she had made doesn’t work.”
    Scott handed the key to Nick, who studied it for a moment. “Yeah, this is all wrong. I can remake it for you. I’ll get you out of here in a slick minute. Who made this one? You should get a refund.”
    Nick smiled easily at Audra, and Scott saw her relax a little and smile back.
    “I’m afraid I ordered it online.”
    “Oh, that’s too bad. Locksmithing is something you should have done in person.”
    “I know. This is very embarrassing. It was stupid of me not to be more careful.”
    “Ah, this is nothing. You should see some of the messes people get themselves into these days. I’ve seen stuff I can’t ever unsee, you know?”
    They laughed, and while Scott knew that Nick was only putting her at ease, his friend’s flirting rankled. Nick was closer to her age. He was in good shape, Scott knew, because they often played community hockey together—but Audra had never laughed that easily with him.
    Before he could think about it more, Audra was pulling her hand from the counter and stretching both arms over her head with a sigh of relief.
    Scott swallowed hard, watching her. Nick grinned widely, watching him.
    Audra was clearly relieved as she lowered her arms. “Thank you very much. I know you’re professional, and I know I probably don’t even have to ask, but—”
    “Client-locksmith confidentiality. No worries, sweetheart,” Nick said with another one of those smiles that made Scott want to trip him the next time they were out on the ice.
    Wasn’t Nick seeing someone? He wasn’t sure.
    “Drive