Brazen

He straightened, continuing to work as if nothing unusual had passed between them. Only the unmistakable desire in his eyes and the clench of his jaw told her otherwise. He filled five glasses and began placing them on her tray. 'I guess sitting behind a desk doesn't offer much in the way of exercise?' he asked, bringing her back to where they were.

'Not much. The walk to and from the train station does that.'

He pushed her full order toward her. 'A long walk must feel good after sitting behind a desk all day.'

'Yes.'

'You mentioned something about financial work, but you never said what…'

'I'd better go, the natives are getting restless.' She deliberately cut him off. He'd never asked much about her life and she didn't want him to start now. If he crossed over the line, he'd go from temporary lover to… what? Someone she shared confidences with? Cared about?

She already did, which was why she had to keep some distance between them. At least her attempt at changing the subject appeared to work. He glanced toward her waiting customers and scowled.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you. It causes wrinkles, even in men.' She ran a finger over the furrows between his eyebrows, until he caught her wrist in his hand.

'And I wouldn't do that unless you were looking to take a risk.'

Little did he know she'd already taken one by being with him. 'Such as?'

'You're avoiding personal questions between us, Samantha.'

Not only handsome, but perceptive, too. Was there no end to his virtues? 'Maybe, but anything more will only complicate things between us, don't you think?'

He studied her for what felt like an endless moment before he answered. 'Things are already complicated,' he muttered. 'But you're right… the natives are getting restless.' He grabbed a rag, turned away and began wiping down the bar where the foam from the beer had overflowed.

She longed to say something, anything to end the sudden chill. But what? I'm a financial planner engaged to another man? I'm selling myself to the highest bidder? As much as I care about you, the course of my life is already set? Somehow, she didn't think he'd appreciate hearing any of those answers any more than she liked thinking them.

She lifted the tray and walked away. Mac watched her hasty retreat, admired the movement of her hips and wished like hell they hadn't been interrupted earlier.

'If you ask me, I'd say you struck out,' Zee said with a chuckle.

'No, just crossed over the line.' An imaginary one Samantha had drawn ever since their conversation about her father. Anytime he'd asked, she'd been unwilling to reveal any more about herself. With their week running out, perhaps she thought it best to keep her distance. Perhaps it was time to enlighten her that the end of the week didn't have to mean the end. He shook his head.

'If you want the lady to confide in you,' Zee said, 'seems to me you ought to do the same.'

Mac agreed, but Samantha wasn't ready. What had begun as an innocent deception now loomed large between them. She was emotionally skittish, and he had no desire to give her additional reason to run. Whatever was keeping her from him, he didn't want his secret to make things worse.

His gaze fell on her as she worked. Ironically, as she dammed up emotionally, she opened up sexually. Who'd have thought she would greet him in the shower? Having sampled only a part of what he wanted from Samantha, Mac wasn't dumb enough to think he could keep his hands to himself any longer. Once he closed for the night, nothing would stop him from having Samantha in his bed. Hot and eager, warm and wet, pulsing around him…

'Easy, boy.' Zee's voice shattered Mac's daydream.

The older man had followed his line of vision and caught him drooling over Samantha. He hadn't been privy to Mac's thoughts, but the way the codger's mind worked, he'd probably come too close to the erotic truth for Mac's peace of mind.

'She's pretty good at this,' Zee said.

Making her way around the table of men, Samantha placed a beer in front of each customer, ducking, chiding and putting them off with a laugh or a shake of her head. Mac had to give her credit. She'd learned quickly how to handle a table of eager men… Except for the guy she served last His hand lingered on her waist despite her vehement disapproval, and when she tried to take a step backward, she was stopped by a firm palm on her behind and a whisper in her ear. On the rare occasion when Mac had seen it happen to Theresa, he'd always handled the situation with a detached calm that resulted in a quick resolution. No one got their feelings hurt or their bones broken. Something changed inside him when the woman being pawed was Samantha.

A raw possessiveness flooded his veins, but he forced himself to give her a second to handle things before he went charging in. He gave her a second too long, he realized as the guy rose to face her and placed a hand on her breast. Mac rounded the bar and headed for Samantha quicker than Zee could spit.

Apparently she'd learned more than Mac thought. She was also faster, because by the time he reached the table, the guy was wearing his beer on his jeans.

'Put a leash and a muzzle on your customers, Mac.' She glared at the offender who was busy wiping down his wet jeans.

'Zee…' Mac nodded in the drunken guy's direction.

The older man understood. He grabbed the patron, who began ranting about harassment, and led him and his friends to the door. He'd make sure they knew they'd worn out their welcome and check that someone sober drove home. Bear's father might act outrageously at times, but when called for, he could be a formidable opponent and a good friend.

Once Mac was sure they had gone, he turned his attention to what was important. He reached for her hand and wasn't comforted to find her fingers trembling inside his. 'Samantha…'

She shook her head, cutting off anything he might have said. 'I'm fine.' But her pallor told him otherwise. 'You should have heard the things he said. He was crude and acting… I don't know, entitled. Like because I'd served him drinks, I'd like to cater to him in other ways, too.' She kept wiping her hands on her clothes, as if she could wipe away the memories as easily. 'Just because I serve drinks for a living doesn't mean I'll… service any slimeball that walks in here.'

She spat the last few words with such anger, Mac didn't think now was the time to remind her she… Hell, he didn't exactly know what she did for a living, but he knew it involved high finance and not serving drinks in a backwater bar. But she respected those who did, which made his respect for her inch up another notch.

He glanced at his watch. Closing time was still forty-five minutes away. 'Okay, folks. Whatever you drank last, consider it last call.' Because the incident had been loud and public, the grumbling remained at a minimum.

Clouded eyes met his. 'You don't have to close early for me. I told you I'm fine.'

He wasn't. He reached for her, his hand grazing her cheek before he pushed a strand of hair off her too-pale face. 'I'm closing,' he said with finality. 'If not for you, then for me.'

'But Bear…'

'Left me in charge. I figure that gives me some rights around here.'

'Who am I to argue with the boss?' she asked, some color coming back to her cheeks.

He braced his hands on either side of her face. 'You did a great job taking care of yourself tonight. But I want you to know I wouldn't have let him hurt you.'

'I know. Like I said, he didn't. He just… violated me somehow.'

A lady like Samantha, from the world Mac thought she came from, wouldn't be used to harsh words from a drunken idiot. 'Give me a few minutes to close up and this will all be a distant memory.' He'd make sure of it.

Zee returned. 'You okay, honey?'

She turned her sunny smile on the older man. 'Fine. And thanks for everything.'

'My boy doesn't run a trashy joint. I'm sorry…'

Waving away his apology, she grasped his gnarled hand. 'I know what kind of place this is, Zee. And you don't have to apologize for it. Either of you.' Her gaze took in Mac, as well.

Mac the bartender. Suddenly his deception didn't sit well with him. In fact, it turned his stomach.

Zee turned to Mac. 'I'll get going and let you take care of things here.' The old man shot Mac a pointed look