Page 26 of Against The Boards

“It’s Rox. What’s an ‘emergency call’?” I asked him.

He laughed. “It means she’s on a shitty date and needs rescuing.”

Another few text messages popped up on my phone.

ROX: Please send help! This date is awful.

ROX: He ordered for me! I hate wine!

I furrowed my brow as I reread what she sent.

ME: Wait, you went on a date with a guy?

ROX: Yes! Still bisexual, you dick!

ROX: HELP ME, ASSHOLE! You’re the only one I knew who was around.

ME: Hmm… I think I will just let you suffer instead. I mean, if I’m your last resort.

ROX: You’re such a fucking dick.

ME: Where are you?

ROX: Eileen’s Tavern.

I chuckled and glanced across the restaurant, then saw her sitting in a booth on the other side of the bar. Riley turned around and waved when Rox noticed us. Her date turned around, too. Keith Collins from the paper. Why would Rox go out with someone from the media?

“Okay, what’s a good emergency to get her out of this date?” I asked Riley.

He raised both eyebrows and ran his hand down his clean-shaven jaw. “You forgot your key?”

I stroked my beard. “Hmm…that might work.”

“She seems pissed; you should take her home,” Riley suggested. There was a grin on his face like he knew something I didn’t. He stood up and fist-bumped me, and seconds later, he was out the door.

I downed the rest of my beer and threw some dollars on the bar for a tip. I took a deep breath and strode over to Rox and Keith. Keith’s eyes lit up with recognition, but Rox had her signature scowl plastered across her face. I wasn’t sure if it was for me or him this time.

“Oh, hey Keith,” I greeted pleasantly. “Listen, I’m sorry to cut your date short, but I locked myself out, and Roxie here is the only person in the country with another key.”

She glared at me at the use of the nickname she only let her brother use. “Honestly, Benny!” she exclaimed in exasperation, but her eyes told me ‘thank you.’ She looked at Keith with a grief-stricken expression. “I’m sorry.”

She dug around in her purse and threw down some money. Keith seemed to balk at that and tried to give her the money back, but she waved it away. “No, no, take it. I’ll see you around.”

She hopped down from the booth, and we walked together toward the exit while I called a car. She ground her teeth and looked pissed beyond belief. Was it bad that I was turned on by the look on her face? Very much, yes. Did I care? That was a big nope.

“He knew I hated wine,” she said, spitting venom. “When he asked me out, I told him I didn’t like wine because he said he didn’t peg me for a beer drinker.”

“He’s an ass,” I agreed.

She balled her hands into fists while we stood together on the street, waiting for the car. She ran her hands down her face in obvious agony, but my eyes focused on cataloging how sexy she looked. That dress hugged her ample breasts in all the right places and accented her deliciously curvy body. My mouth watered at the sight of her, all soft and feminine, and holy fuck Roxanne Desjardins made me hard again.

She rubbed her hands over her arms, and without thinking about it, I had to be a smart-ass. “I thought you Canadians didn’t mind the cold?”

She glared at me. “You think you’re a real funny guy, eh?”

I smirked but shrugged out of my leather jacket and put it around her shoulders. I felt her freeze as my hands lingered on her shoulders. “Here,” I breathed a low whisper into her ear.

If this was any other woman, I would have made a move and placed a gentle kiss on her neck. But this was Rox—a move like that might get me murdered.