Stud Muffin (Donner Bakery #2) - Jiffy Kate Page 0,91

because if you don’t, someone else will, and you don’t want to look back and think, I should’ve married her.

“You want me to take you home?” I ask, glancing over at her. She’s glaring daggers at Asher’s back and I wonder if he can feel it. He better be glad looks can’t kill, because if they could, he’d be dead.

“No,” she says, her lips pursing as she turns around and faces the bar. “Another shot of tequila, Floyd.” He obliges, pouring one and setting it down in front of her. She takes it and tosses it back.

“You okay?” I ask, keeping my eyes on the growing crowd.

“Fine.”

But I can tell she’s not. I’m not sure if it’s just seeing Asher or the fact she has to be in the same vicinity as him, but she’s definitely pissed about something.

After a few minutes, one of the guys from Asher’s table walks up to the bar and asks for a beer. He really doesn’t need to, that’s what we have waitresses for, so I watch him closely.

“Hey, Tempest,” he says, sliding onto a barstool beside her.

“Jimmy,” Tempest says through clenched teeth, not looking at him.

He smirks and leans over onto the bar. “Didn’t know you frequented the Pony,” he says mockingly. “Isn’t it too late for you to be out… time to make the muffins?”

I’m about to step in and tell this guy to fuck off when Tempest slides off her barstool and stands up to him. She’s not tall and tonight, she’s wearing tennis shoes, so there’s no added height from heels, but the way she stands with authority, it makes Jimmy back up.

“Whoa,” he says with a smile, hands in the air. “I thought those anger management classes were paying off, but maybe not.” The cocky grin on his face is getting ready to be wiped off if he doesn’t shut his mouth.

“Jimmy,” Tempest says, venom in her tone, but she covers it up with a syrupy-sweet smile. “I know you’re not making fun of my job, seeing as how you haven’t had one in over a year.” Her hand comes down on his shoulder. “My mama told me they’ve been praying for you. You know how those prayer circle women are.” When she feigns innocence, I know something else is coming. “Speaking of, how is Heidi? My mama said she’s been hosting their Tuesday night bible study. I’ll have to let her know I ran into you.”

Jimmy’s face pales and he grabs his beer and walks back to the table without another word.

“That’s when it pays to listen to gossip,” Tempest says, sliding back into her seat. “What a fucking douchebag.”

I huff a laugh, shaking my head. “Tell me how you really feel.”

“Duped,” she says after a few seconds, something like sadness and hurt in her tone. Looking over at her, she swallows and shakes her head.

“Wanna talk about it?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Not right now.” Taking a deep breath, she blows it out. “I just want another shot of tequila and to see something naked.”

“I could help you with that,” I murmur, leaning closer.

“Your job requires you to remain fully clothed,” she says. Turning back to the bar, she lifts a finger to Floyd, who reads her sign and gives her what she wants. “Their job is to take it off.” Tipping her shot glass toward the stage, she brings it back to her perfect pink lips and throws it back. “I typically don’t swing that way, but they’ll do in a pinch.”

I can’t help the laugh that erupts. She’s something else and I love it. I love that I never know what she’s going to say. I love that she fights back and doesn’t shy away from tough situations. I love that she’s strong and fierce and sexy as hell.

Chapter 25

Tempest

Thanks to the tequila I drank last night and staying at the bar so late, when Cage finally drove me home, I came straight upstairs and crashed.

He asked me if I wanted to come to his apartment, but I knew what that would entail and honestly, my head is still reeling from our first romp in the sack. I don’t think I’m ready for another. Besides, I hardly ever get a Saturday off work and I had plans of sleeping until eight.

Glancing over at the clock, I see it’s only six thirty, which is still sleeping in for me, even though I didn’t go to bed until after two in the morning. I’m used to