Page 45 of Unbound Boxset

CHAPTER FOUR

“Can I help you? Oh, hi, love. What’ll you have?”

Julianna stared at the man behind the bar and pursed her lips. “Where’s Mike?”

Jack just grinned at her obvious annoyance and lowered his lid in a naughty wink. “He had a thing he needed to go to with his wife. I told him I’d cover his shift. Let me guess. White wine? Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay?”

Julianna bit her tongue. Hard. “Martini, extra dry, extra olives.” She swore she’d drink the whole damn thing if it killed her, and tried not to look longingly at the bottle of white wine she preferred.

He lifted a brow. “You got it. Not driving, are you?”

Julianna bristled and turned to her companion, who she forgot when faced with her irritating, sex god gardener. “Tom, this is my handyman. What would you like to drink?”

“Stout, please. Guinness.”

Jack poured, shuffled glasses, and served with an economy of motion and grace. The scents of perfume, heat, and alcohol burned through the air as the crowd thickened in the late evening hour. The marina bar courted a tourist crowd. Julianna scheduled this first meeting in a public place where she wouldn’t have to worry about the locals. After all, Tom was the first official response to her ad. So far, dinner had been a polite, quiet affair with no sparks. She figured a crowded bar may loosen him up a bit, so she’d suggested a quick drink before ending the evening.

Unfortunately, her companion sat on the bar stool, tight-lipped and unsmiling. He glanced around the rustic, slightly dirty waterfront bar as if he smelled something bad. When he paid for the drinks, he didn’t tip. Julianna squirmed and quietly pushed a five-dollar bill across the bar while Jack wasn’t looking.

“Interesting place,” Tom said. “I prefer the New York scene, of course. Happy hour is always quite raucous.”

She nodded. “Yes, I’ve always wanted to see Manhattan.”

“You should. There’s a myriad selection of cultural events to experience, from museums, plays, and art.”

She pushed away the slight irritation at his arrogance. He acted as if Newport was beneath him. “I assume you haven’t done any sailing?”

“I prefer creating opportunities with concrete under my feet. Sailing seems like such a wild sport. Tennis is more my style. Have you been to Wimbledon?”

“No,” she said.

“A pity.”

An uncomfortable silence fell. She needed to come up with better conversational topics. This entire date was crumbling in failure.

Someone screamed with laughter and Julianna turned to take in the scene. A curvy blonde leaned across the bar, lips open with invitation as Jack poured a shot into her mouth.

Obviously, Jack had met many new women this past week. A crush of females gathered around him, cooing over his English accent, their faces giving off obvious vibes that they’d be available after his shift. Julianna twitched her nose in disapproval. She’d been right with her initial estimation. The man didn’t seem to care who shared his bed, as long as she was warm, female, and willing.

The realization made her straighten her shoulders, even more intent to make this meeting with Tom work. Jack had finally stopped sniffing around her place and she was glad. She’d never allow herself to be used and tossed aside for sex, no matter how pleasurable the time. Much better to keep her dignity and be disciplined with her unruly body. Her parents had always taught her pride must be saved at all cost.

It seemed to be the only thing she had left.

She drank the rest of her martini and a pleasant heat buzzed through her, allowing her to relax a notch. Tom finished his drink, then stood. “Well, I have to get back early in the morning so I better say good night.”

She fought past the disappointment. “Of course.”

Jack suddenly appeared. “Refill?”

“No, thank you, we were just leaving.” To prove a point, she grabbed Tom’s hand and forced a merry laugh. She went to walk him out, but he stopped her at the doorway.

“I’ll email you and we’ll discuss possible arrangements for marriage.”

Julianna blinked. The beat of the jukebox blared and pumped out Nelly’s “Hot in Herre.” “I thought—I thought we’d meet once more before making a decision.”

Tom shrugged, obviously bored. “I need a wife in order to climb up the corporate ladder. Damn company’s only promoting family men. I want someone who’ll stay out of my life but be there for work events. I can give you the money for the house and we can arrange a wedding in the city. No big deal.”

She twisted her hands and fought off sheer panic. “Umm, well, email me and we’ll see.”