One Hot Night Old Port Nights, Book 1 Read Online Free Page A

“Yes. Driving would have been a disaster waiting to happen.”
    Scott chuckled. “Come on back. I have some chili on the stove. I also have a pair of wool socks you can borrow.”
    Audra wasn’t going to argue. The chili sounded fantastic, and her feet were now wet and cold. She watched him walk back to the kitchen, paying particular attention to his very nice form, and regained her sense of mission. She wanted to have sex with Scott Beckett, but she wasn’t going to throw herself at him. If she was reading him right, she wouldn’t have to. She only had to let him know she was ready to take him up on his offer.
    First, though, she was ready to eat.
    Audra followed him into the huge kitchen behind the bar. The bright lighting was cheerful, and the rich aromas made her take a deep breath that she exhaled on a smile.
    “This is very nice, for a commercial kitchen.”
    “It’s my personal kitchen as well—I didn’t see the point in putting in a whole kitchen in the apartment upstairs when I have this here.”
    “I wondered why you live here? Why not some fancy place on the bay, like other star athletes?”
    She thought the question might have sounded obnoxious, but he didn’t seem fazed by it.
    “When I opened the place, I decided I wasn’t going to be an absentee owner. I wanted to run the place myself. People come in to see me, to talk with me, you know? Not to sound conceited, but it’s how it is. I also like being downtown. What do I need a huge house for when it’s only me?”
    Audra nodded as she took two huge bowls from him. He didn’t sound conceited, but realistic. Genuine.
    She admired that he was committed to his business, as she was to hers.
    “Chili’s over there. Do you mind filling these? I’ll run upstairs to get you something for your feet.”
    “Sure.”
    She shut the burner off and grabbed a ladle from the counter where Scott had left it. She inhaled again as she lifted off the lid—it was possibly the best thing she’d ever smelled.
    Except for Scott himself, of course.
    Her rumbling stomach agreed. She doled out a few large portions and went searching around the kitchen for some bread or crackers. Finding them, she carried everything over to a counter where some stools were arranged—probably where the staff ate during their shift—and put everything there.
    Scott walked back in a second later and presented her with a huge pair of socks that she stared at.
    “Are those socks or a scarf?”
    “I have really big feet.” He wiggled his eyebrows in a way that made her laugh out loud as she took the socks from him.
    “I guess. Thank you. Is this spot okay?”
    “Actually, let’s take dinner out by the fireplace.”
    “Sounds lovely.” A suitably romantic setting for pre-orgasmic activities, she thought with a secret smile as she followed him out.
    When they sat, she started to pull one of the socks on over her cold feet.
    “Shouldn’t you take off those wet stockings first?”
    Audra paused. That probably made more sense.
    “I’ll go grab us a couple beers—you okay with a beer?”
    “Definitely. Something dark, though. A stout or a porter if you have it.”
    “We do, and you’ve surprised me yet again. In fact, I have something I think you’ll really enjoy.”
    Audra bit back a comment about betting he had several things she could enjoy as he walked back to the bar. He was still within sight, but he wasn’t paying attention to her. She tugged her skirt up a little, finding the clips that held her stockings up and undoing them, rolling the soft material down her leg and off.
    She heard Scott curse behind the bar—it sounded like he’d dropped something. When she looked, he was wiping up something he’d apparently spilled.
    Damn, she’d hoped he was peeking at her little display.
    She quickly removed the other stocking and pulled on the soft wool-blend socks. They came up to her mid-thigh and probably looked ridiculous, but they were warm. Scott returned and handed her