Bad Boys Do. Victoria Dahl

      Olivia stumbled to a stop, one of her shoes slipping off in the rough grass. She kicked off her other shoe and stared at her scarlet toenails peeping through the blades of emerald.

      She couldn’t, could she?

      It would be wrong. Outrageous. Emotionally immature.

      And she’d enjoy the hell out of it, at least for one petty moment. Victor deserved to be taught a lesson.

      “No,” she told herself, picking up her shoes and continuing on. The grass was a cool contrast to the hot sun. She wondered why she hadn’t kicked off her shoes earlier. Sometimes loosening up brought good things.

      “He did ask me out,” she whispered to herself. But he hadn’t asked to be used.

      Anyway, she had no way of getting in touch with him. Well, she had the class lists, but that would be slimy. Way over the line. Using a student list to call for a date would reach Victor-levels of inappropriate behavior.

      So there was nothing to be done, really. It wasn’t as if she knew where he worked. Ha.

      When she finally reached her car, Olivia slid in and laid her forehead on the steering wheel. She stared at the specks of dust on the dark speedometer.

      On one hand, she’d never do something like that: walk into a man’s workplace and ask him out. On the other hand, she was looking for new experiences. New adventures. New daring.

      But daring didn’t mean foolish. And adventurous didn’t mean sneaky.

      Decision made, she drove toward home, but for the first time, she noticed that her normal route took her within a block of Donovan Brothers Brewery. She couldn’t see it from this side of the block, but it was there, pulsing like a terrible beacon. Luring her in.

      Cursing, she turned right and drove in the opposite direction of her house. This direction took her toward the brewery, and Jamie, and the really bad decision that called to her so loudly she couldn’t ignore it.

      Pulling into the parking lot, she looked around as if she would recognize his car. Stupid. As stupid as getting out of the car and walking through the door, but there she was doing it, spite pushing her on.

      After the bright sunlight, she couldn’t see anything for a moment. This world was dark and cool and smelled strongly of icy beer and wood polish. She blinked rapidly, worried that Jamie was standing there watching her founder.

      Finally, her eyes adjusted, and she was both relieved and disappointed to see that Jamie wasn’t behind the bar. A blond woman with a perky ponytail stood at the tap. She slipped a lemon onto the edge of a glass, added it to a tray with three other beers and went to serve the only table that was occupied. “Hi!” she said as she passed Olivia.

      “Hi,” Olivia replied weakly. A quick glance showed that Jamie wasn’t lurking in one of the corners of the room. Olivia eyed the swinging doors at the back, but if he was behind those doors, he may as well have been a hundred miles away. This was a sign that she wasn’t meant to be here. She’d been saved from ruin and embarrassment.

      Olivia slid her foot back and started to turn.

      “Can I help you?”

      The woman again, with her tray tucked under her arm now. She smiled widely, and Olivia felt a jolt of recognition. This girl was definitely related to Jamie.

      “Did you want a beer?”

      “Oh. No. I was looking for someone. Sorry, I’ll just—”

      “Jamie? He’s not working the bar today.”

      Olivia blinked. Did women come in looking for Jamie all the time? Yes, of course they did.

      Her chest filled with horror as she slid her left foot back to join the right. “Okay. Thanks.”

      “You should follow our Twitter account! He always lets everyone know when he’s behind the bar.”

      “Oh, sure. Thanks. I’ll do that.” She coughed, then repeated. “Thanks.”

      Just as Olivia was reaching back for the door handle, the swinging doors opened and Jamie walked through.

      Oh, God. Oh, God.

      His smile froze and his eyes widened in surprise. “Ms. Ol—” His gaze slid to the female bartender and then back to Olivia. “Olivia. Hi. What are you doing here?”

      The woman winked at Olivia and said, “Look who was hiding in the back,” before she retreated to the bar. “Hey, Jamie,” she said lightly as she passed him.

      Jamie ignored her and walked toward Olivia, and her heart sped to a frightening pace. She couldn’t back down now. Because what other reason could she have for being here? She hadn’t even thought to bring class handouts or a book or anything that would offer an excuse for her presence. This was the kind of disaster that descended when you didn’t make lists.

      “Hi,” she croaked.

      “Hi.” He put his hands in his pockets and waited, his mouth curved in a puzzled smile.

      “Are you working?” she asked.

      “Not really. I’m off today.”

      “Oh.” She nodded, and kept nodding until Jamie cocked his head.

      “Did I forget something in class, or …?”

      Olivia took a deep breath. “Are you busy tonight?”

      That popped his chin straight. “What?”

      “You asked, and I said no, but … there’s a party I have to go to tonight. One of the professors is leaving….”

      The wide smile spreading across his face distracted her.

      “What?” she snapped, irritated by the way her pulse sped.

      “I’m just … surprised.”

      She felt a sudden fear that he’d only been kidding. It had all been a flirtatious joke. She couldn’t possibly be his type. “If you don’t want to—”

      “Of course I want to. What time should I pick you up?”

      “We can just meet there. There’s no need—”

      “Right. What time should I pick you up?”

      For the first time, Olivia caught a glimpse of steel beneath his velvet exterior. Her pulse enjoyed it very much. “Seven-thirty?”

      “Great. Seven-thirty. I’ll be there. Do you want a beer or a glass of water or …?”

      “No. No, thank you. I’d better just …” Guilt was turning her stomach, so she gave him her address and phone number, then stammered out a goodbye while he smiled sympathetically.

      “I’ll see you tonight,” he said, making it sound like a promise.

      She left with an awkward lurch for the door. The heavy wood nearly closed on her leg, but thankfully Jamie caught it just before it got her. She hurried to her car and then collapsed inside.

      What the hell had she just done? Why was she going on a date with a man who inspired women to regularly come into a bar to ask for him? It was madness. She must look like a fool.

      “I’m not into him,” she whispered to herself. “I’m doing this for me.” And she was. But she couldn’t pretend that Jamie Donovan’s charm wasn’t part of what she wanted. That charm felt like magic dust being sprinkled over her skin, and she wanted everyone to see the glow. Including her ex-husband.

      She’d wash the magic off later and everything would be fine. But her heart was still racing when she made it home, and it didn’t have anything to do with nerves.

       CHAPTER FOUR

      SHE