Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security 6)

Lucky for me, I don’t have a heart. I’m fun. I’m a good time. I’m not interested in getting to know anyone on a truly personal level.

It’s why I have to avoid Jude Morris. At least for the next three weeks. If he’s going to be helping Quinten teach the class, then it would be too messy to act on that feeling low in my belly that’s tempting me to find out just how far that shyness actually goes.

I pay the bartender when she slides the drinks across the counter, telling her to keep the change before walking to the table.

Hayden and Quinten are what I like to call argue-flirting, both throwing each other attitude that will no doubt end up with the two of them eventually naked and panting. The dance humans make when there’s sexual chemistry is a thrill to watch.

I know I should sit by my friend, but doing so would mean walking directly past Jude, and I don’t know if I could do that and keep my eyes off his body, wondering just what he’s working with under his clothes.

“Hey, how did you beat us here?” I ask as I approach, placing Hayden’s soda in front of her on the table.

Both guys look at me, a thrill running up my back at Jude’s attention, but I ignore it. I may want to see what the man is made of, but I need to be focused on getting my best friend to open up her eyes to what’s literally sitting right in front of her.

“Scoot,” I urge Quinten, earning a look that tells me I’m crazy before he stands and sweeps his hand to indicate for me to slide to the inside of the booth.

Hayden’s eyes are on me, so I flutter my eyes at her crush. “So gallant.”

“I don’t exactly fit comfortably under the table,” he argues as he settles back in beside me.

I don’t miss that he purposely keeps room between the two of us, and it’s just another hint that the man has no interest in me. I bite my lip to keep from smiling and look up at my friend. When I catch her eyes, I tilt my head in Jude’s direction, testing the waters, my eyes widening when she just glares at me. This may be harder than I anticipated, but if anything, I’m persistent.

I realize I may not have to work as hard as I had planned when Hayden’s eyes lock on Quinten’s mouth as he takes a sip of his beer. She makes a grunting noise from deep in her chest, forcing Jude to speak for the first time since I sat down.

He questions the noise, taking a concerned tone, and it only serves to irritate my friend who has been called out on her noisy need.

I do some of my best flirting, but I feel like it’s falling on deaf ears as Quinten keeps his focus on my friend without speaking to her instead of flirting back or even telling me to shut up.

I’m ready to get up and leave until I look up at exactly the wrong time to find Jude’s eyes on me. Before I can stop it, a slow smile spreads across my face, and a hunger deep inside of me ignites. When his cheeks begin to darken under the harsh lights of the bar, I have to look away.

I’m a little wild and crazy, but I have lines even I don’t cross. That doesn’t keep me from imagining this man stripping me down right here on this table and making me scream his name over and over.

Understanding just how crazy those thoughts make me, I dart my eyes away and find the pleading eyes of my best friend.

“Ready to go?” she asks, eyes begging me to stand up and walk out of here with her.

“Already?” I ask, wanting to leave, but hating the idea of walking away from the bar so early.

I want the man at the end of the table, but it’s not even ten o’clock. Everyone knows the best bad decisions don’t happen until after midnight, and only a rookie would make a move so early in the night.

I shift my weight, Quinten reading it just as I intend as he stands to let me slide out of the booth.

I also keep my distance. Flirting is one thing, but Jude seeing me touch another man may ruin any chance I have with the bashful guy.

“See you guys next week,” Hayden mutters as she starts to walk toward the door.

My friend makes a beeline outside, not noticing the guys follow us out.

“Just making sure you get to your car safely,” I hear Quinten say, and it’s clear the man is already a goner for her.

I smile as I walk toward my car, not saying a single word to either of them. Tonight was the third of six classes, and since I’m a patient woman, I can wait a few more weeks before making a move on Jude.