After she delivered that, Jake rose from his chair, tossed his napkin on the table, reached across it and nabbed her glass of champagne.
He rounded the table, his eyes on his target, his blood hot in his veins, and only stopped when he felt her hand curl around his.
He looked down at her to see she’d paled and was now looking concerned.
“Jake—” she started in a whisper.
“It’ll be okay, baby,” he assured her. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Then he pulled his hand from hers after giving hers a squeeze and prowled to Stone.
He put the glass on the bar beside Stone and growled, “Outside.”
He didn’t wait to see if Stone followed him. He might not know Boston Stone but he knew the kind of man he was. Even though he knew Jake could take him, and not just because Jake had two inches and thirty pounds on him, he wouldn’t take the hit to his manhood that would be keeping his seat when he was called out.
Jake wasn’t wrong. When he got outside, Stone was there. The asshole rounded him and they faced off, Jake going first.
“You got stones,” Jake clipped.
To that, the motherfucker grinned. “Is that a pun?”
“I’m not bein’ funny, asshole,” Jake bit out. “Seriously? Sendin’ a drink to the woman sittin’ across from me at my table?”
“I bought the entire bottle but I’ll drink the rest. I’m relatively certain Dom Perignon would be lost on you,” Stone replied, his voice smooth, his words snide.
Jake let that slide. What Boston Stone thought of him did not factor. Not now and it never would.
What factored was Josie having a good night, smiling bright and then a minute later being pissed because of this jackass.
“Josie’s got too much class to lay it out for you,” Jake returned. “But on the way here, she told me about the drink she’s supposed to have with you. She also told me she didn’t want that drink. We talked about it and decided I’d lay it out for you. And now that I got that opportunity, here it is. She’s not into you, man. Let it go. And heads up, a woman like that with class like that, the shit you just pulled doesn’t do anything for her except piss her off.”
“We’ll see Monday night if Josephine is into me.”
Jesus. Was this guy deaf?
“You didn’t hear me,” Jake returned. “You won’t be seein’ shit ‘cause, if you show at the Club, she won’t be there ‘seein’ as she’ll be makin’ dinner for me and my family.”
Annoyance chased across Stone’s face before he hid it and lifted his chin. “It appears she’s in the mood to go slumming but a woman like that always comes around when that particular thrill is gone.”
What was with this guy?
“She’s just lost her grandmother, asshole,” Jake reminded him.
“And in times of sorrow, it’s good to turn your mind to other more pleasurable things and, when she gives me the opportunity, I’ll enjoy turning her mind to just those things.”
“Christ, honestly?” Jake asked. “I told you she’s not into you. Do you seriously think your dick is that big?”
“I’ve never been a man to compare. We don’t have that in common. We don’t have anything in common, Spear. Except for the fact that both of us know precisely how fuckable Josephine Malone is. And I wouldn’t have believed it possible but tonight, seeing her in that dress, proved she’s even more fuckable. If you have the stones, my suggestion, get in there and do it fast. Tonight. Before your charms wear off. But please, not against the wall of the foyer of Lavender House. That’s where I’ll be taking her our first time.”
Jake’s vision went red but he didn’t have the chance to say a fucking word.
This was because she came at him from behind. And he was so pissed and focused he didn’t hear her heels on the pavers. He just felt her shoulder as it hit his arm then she slid in front of him and he watched Josie pull back a hand and slap Stone hard across the face.
Stone’s head jerked to the side and Jake moved. Wrapping his fingers around her wrist, he pulled it down and around her belly, yanking her back to his front then stepping them both back as he wrapped his other arm around her chest.
But now, she was focused.
“You cad,” she snapped and Jake lost his fury instantly and had to clench his teeth to stop himself laughing at her ridiculous insult that, even ridiculous, was fucking cute because it was pure Josie. “How dare you!” she kept at him. “You’re…you’re…unspeakable,” she finished on a hiss.
Stone’s face changed entirely, his eyes on her, his lips murmuring, “Josephine—”
“Do not utter another word,” she warned angrily. “I’m afraid I must inform you that with your behavior tonight and the things I just heard you say, I’ll not be meeting you for a drink Monday. Indeed, I’d rather not see you again in my life. Have I made myself clear?”
“It’s unfortunate you heard that, Josephine, but allow me to—” Stone started.
“Actually, I find it quite fortunate,” she cut him off to declare. “I simply thought you were arrogant and insensitive. Now I know you’re much more and none of it is good. Alas, what’s unfortunate is that Jake and I were having a lovely evening. The first lovely evening I’ve had since my grandmother died, and you cast a pall on that. However, with the likes of you, it’s easily forgettable so we can put the unpleasantness that is you behind us, return to the restaurant and continue enjoying our evening.”
Listening to this, Jake was making a mental note not to piss Josie off when she pulled from his arms but caught his hand.
“Come, Jake. Your beer has arrived and I’ve just discovered I’m in dire need of a martini.”
She tugged on his hand.
He grinned at her then grinned at a frowning Stone who was giving Josie a dark look Jake didn’t like all that much. Then again, the asshole could do nothing. She was lost to him even more than she was before. It didn’t matter he was loaded and could send a glass of Dom Perignon to her table. He’d ceased to exist for Josie.
On that thought, Jake kept grinning as he let her start to pull him toward the restaurant.
But when she turned, she wobbled on her high heel so he jerked on her hand to send her flying his way. He let it go but caught her tight to his side with an arm around her back as he swallowed down a bark of laughter when she muttered an infuriated, “Drat!”
“Just keep on keepin’ on, baby,” he whispered. “You leveled him. And it wouldn’t matter what you do in those shoes. You’re gonna look good doin’ it, he’s got no chance, so it’s all good.”
He negotiated her up the steps and reached out to open the door for her when she declared, “That man is a toad.”
“That man is in your rearview mirror and what’s down the road is a martini and a fuckin’ good meal.”
He heard her draw in a breath as he pulled her through the door, then she said, “Indeed.”
He gave her a squeeze and felt her arm slide around his back as he headed her to their table.
They only let each other go when he held her chair for her. She sat in it. Jake tucked her under the table and resumed his seat.
He was putting his napkin back on his lap when she again spoke.
“I was correct. You’re very gallant.”
He looked at her to see her eyes direct on him. “What?”
“I found what you just did to be both honorable and brave. I’ve never seen a man behave like that. Your acting when I was annoyed to handle that matter without delay was quite gratifying.”