AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A different type of warmth filled Malcolm at the reminder of what had happened the day before. He cursed. “I never gave Jami an update.”
“She seems like the type of woman that will understand.”
“Maybe.” Malcolm remembered how worried her face had been even before Celia had called. “She’s been through a lot.”
Blake nodded. “Well, you should relax her too.” He stepped away when Malcolm went to smack him. “I’m serious! Katie told me a bit more about her past. Showing her a good time would be worth it.”
Malcolm could still feel Jami’s body resting against his while she slept. He hadn’t realized how much tension she always carried until he’d finally seen her without any.
Blake raised an eyebrow at him. “I guess maybe you already have.”
Malcolm pulled ahead as they started up the stairs in the garage. “As I said, I have a tavern to run.”
“Fine, don’t kiss and tell.”
Their footsteps were the only sound in the stairwell as Blake followed him up.
Chapter 25
Jamicouldn’tconcentrateonher laptop. Not with the blank look that Malcolm had worn ever since he’d returned from the hospital.
He’d been surprised to find she and Reggie had opened the tavern for lunch service, but not bothered by it. At least, he hadn’t seemed upset to Jami. More distracted. He’d even gotten a few of the drink orders wrong, which wasn’t like him at all.
Tanya nudged her on the way back from the food window. “What’s up with your man?”
Jami flushed. “He’s not mine.”
“Please. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting turned on, and he wasn’t even looking at me.” Tanya’s smile spread. “Did me dropping you by his house yesterday pay off?”
Heat moved through Jami’s body at the reminder. Tanya’s chuckle made her duck her head.
“I see it did. Weird.” Tanya pursed her lips as she studied Malcolm again. “I figured he’d be more relaxed after finally getting some. Oh well.” She shrugged, moving off with the food she’d collected.
Malcolm had dropped everything for Celia when she called. Jami hated the snarl in her stomach that hadn’t fully gone away. It had been like he’d no longer seen her, but Celia had needed him. Jami had called to check on her and learned more from her friend than the brief explanation Malcolm had managed when he returned before dinner service. Celia didn’t want everyone worrying about her, but it was inevitable.
Only it wasn’t worry that Malcolm appeared to be struggling with. Having seen that expression often enough when he looked at her, Jami felt certain it wasn’t concern for Celia that continued to eat at him. No, the blank look reminded her more of how he’d been when Andrew had grabbed her.
“Here, Little Bit,” Reggie murmured, placing a basket of sweet potato fries next to her keyboard.
“You need to stop,” Jami protested, but she snagged a fry and dipped it into the brown sugar butter.
“More weight looks good on you.” Reggie wasn’t looking at her, though. No, his eyes traced Malcolm. “You know what’s what?”
“Celia’s blood pressure sent her to the hospital.” The fry felt like it lodged in her throat. Jami reached for her water glass. “She’s mostly stable now, but they’re keeping her.”
Reggie’s lips pressed together. “Nah. Something else.” His large hand pushed the swinging door as he returned to the kitchen.
The rest of dinner service passed slowly. At the end of it, Reggie came out of the kitchen again to pause next to Malcolm. “The gym?”
Malcolm stilled where he was drying one of the beer mugs. Then he shook his head. “Not tonight.”
Reggie’s eyes flicked to her before he turned away with a shrug. “Text if you need to,” he said, following Tanya to walk her out.
Jami closed her laptop and hopped off her barstool after Malcolm arranged the last cleaned glass.
Malcolm’s gaze didn’t quite focus on her. “Sorry, Jami. You wanted to talk earlier, but we didn’t get a chance.” He looked away, his hand gripping the counter hard. “Can we talk tomorrow?”
Jami slipped behind the bar, watching his body tense as she moved closer. “It’s okay. I don’t mind waiting.” She moved under his arm to get in close, her breasts brushing against his chest, and he shuddered. Her hand reached up, stroking along his clenched jaw. “Why don’t you stay here with me tonight?”
