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She was shocked. All the time she’d known Grayson, she’d never heard him beg anyone for anything. Maybe he needed closure, too. She couldn’t talk about their faded relationship now. Not with things in such turmoil.
“After we’ve both had a chance to cool off, we’ll talk.”
“Thank you,” he said, then turned. At the door, he stopped to say, “I’ll pick you up for dinner tonight.”
“Hey,” Samantha yelled after him, but he was already gone. Of all the nerve! If he thought he’d maneuvered her into a date, he had another think coming.
Jake carried some ice cream refills to the counter. “I see you got rid of him. Did everything go okay?”
“Just fine. I’ll talk to you about it later.”
She’d call Grayson at work and tell him not to come, so there was no need to inform Jake about her lack of success. She didn’t want him to lose confidence in her.
An hour later, she was doing inventory in the storeroom when Jake’s strong arm slipped around her waist. She snuggled against his muscular body.
“Guess who?” he whispered, bending to nuzzle her nape.
“Grayson,” she said, chuckling when he grumbled in response to her teasing. The fact that she could joke about him meant she’d relegated him to history. What do you know, she’d gotten closure on her own.
“Guess again.”
“This isn’t very professional, Jake.” She leaned into his strength, all her previous objections fading away. She owed it to the both of them to at least give their budding relationship a try. Smiling, she all but purred at the sensation his plundering lips caused.
Monica poked her head around the door. “Samantha, the stripper is here.”
“Stripper?”
Samantha flushed, seeing Monica’s sparkling eyes as she viewed their embrace, and stepped away from Jake’s arms. Oh boy, she was sure to be in for some razzing later.
“Send him into my office.”
“Him?” Jake sputtered.
Samantha turned to face him. “Yes, a male stripper hired for a bachelorette party this evening.” She noted the startled expression on Jake’s face. “It’s part of my business. He’s new and needs a bit of coaching before his debut.”
His eyebrow quirked. “Let Gary coach him.”
She crossed her arms, standing up to his disapproval. “No, that wouldn’t do, at all. The man needs reassurance he can perform in front of women.”
“Then how about Monica?”
“Listen here, Jake Ramsey. This is my business, and I’ll run it as I see fit. Now, go out front and help Gary while I get on with things.” She watched him hesitate for a moment before breaking into a rueful smile.
“You’re the boss.” He shook his head. “Just see that all you do is watch.” He leaned down to brush a scorching kiss across her lips, then walked out.
Samantha sagged against the shelves, still tasting his sweet mouth on hers. Gathering her senses, she straightened and headed toward her office. His kisses still packed the same punch, and no buff hunk would take him off her mind.
Inside her office, a tall, dark, good-looking man dressed in a police uniform stood next to her desk. The ladies would go for this one.
“Thanks for coming in, Lance.”
“Glad to meet you.” He held out his hand.
She shook it. “Nice costume. Did you bring your music?”
“Sure did,” he said, grinning.
“Well, let’s get to it, then. And remember, you’re there to entertain, and that’s all. Look, but don’t touch, if you know what I mean.”
