Page 19 of Love Unbound
She stood and walked toward him, meeting him at the edge of the table. “Would you like to rack or break?” he asked over the noise in the room.
“I’ll rack,” Jodi responded, reaching down to retrieve the triangle rack, then knelt the best she could in her skirt to place the colorful balls on the table. Free skirted the table again, walking to the wall to choose two pool sticks. The slow, rolling walk was inherently sexual and made Jodi drop one of the balls loudly. She blushed hotly as he turned to look at her quizzically.
She racked them quickly, rolling them along the brushed felt until they were all aligned, then lifted the triangle, leaving the balls in their correct spots on the table. Free chalked both cue tips, and Jodi flushed hotly again. Why was everything this man did so damn sexy?
Retreating to their table, she picked up her beer with a shaky hand and took a long drink as Free bent at the waist, leaning forward on one forearm to align his shot. The muscles of his arms rippled and bunched, stretching the arms of his black shirt deliciously as he catapulted the cue stick forward, making a clean, loud break and sending the balls ricocheting around the table. Jodi’s mouth watered and she took another drink of her beer, dropping her gaze guiltily as he glanced at her.
Jodi had told herself this wasn’t a date, but it sure felt like one. She hadn’t been on a date in years, and she admitted to herself that she was enjoying it very much. As much as Free had fought against whatever this was between them, the way he looked at her and the way he kissed her made her suspect he was losing his inner war. Jodi reminded herself she wasn’t looking for a fling with Free, but when he did stuff like brushing his fingertips along the backside of her upper arm ever so lightly, she grudgingly admitted that her resolve was rapidly melting.
When it was her turn, he sidled over to her, reaching around her to pick up the can of beer, bringing it to his lips. It was maddening! He was doing all of this on purpose! She smiled and stepped around him, walking to the pool table to take her turn. Painfully aware of her short skirt—had she known they were going to be playing billiards she would have worn jeans—she cautiously bent at the waist to line up her shot. When she turned around, she blushed again when she realized his gaze was on the backs of her bare thighs.
They took turns, razzing each other until only two balls remained. A waitress came by, asking if they’d like anotherround just as Free swallowed the last of his beer. They both nodded, and gave the waitress their order.
At regular intervals, they were stopped by people they both knew; friends of Free’s, old coworkers, and family acquaintances happy to see Free back home. A petite blonde walked up to them and hugged Free, staying to talk for only a few seconds before continuing on her way to the other side of the room, but had whispered an invitation into his ear for later that made Jodi bristle with jealousy.
The waitress returned a few minutes later with their fresh beers, just as Jodi leaned down to take her shot at the black eight ball. Free razzed her again, telling her not to miss, when a buxom woman with box dyed black hair sidled up to Free, placing her hand on his forearm and leaning up to place a kiss on his mouth, which he dodged. Jodi’s hackles went up. The gall of these women made Jodi want to scratch their eyes out!
Free removed the heavily tattooed hand on his arm and stepped away, just as Jodi straightened.
“Mal,” Free said, a bit stiffly.
“Freeman,” the woman purred seductively, replacing her hand on his arm possessively. “You failed to mention you were back in town.”
“Obviously, I failed to mention it for a reason,” he grunted rudely to the woman. He shrugged the hand off his arm again, reaching for and taking a drink of the fresh beer.
Mal eyed Jodi up and down shrewdly from where she stood on the other side of the pool table, before muttering, “Robbing the cradle with this one, aren’t you? Don’t you think you’d have more fun with someone a little more… experienced?”
Free laughed darkly as Jodi came around the table toward them. “I think I’m good, thanks for the offer though. I’d rather keep my shit STD free if you don’t mind.”
Jodi’s eyes widened at the brazen comment. She watched asMal’s mouth dropped open and she snapped, “You asshole.”
Free shrugged and quipped, “Not a lie, though. Excuse us.”
He took Jodi’s hand and led her back to their table, sitting down kitty corner from each other. He held her hand fast as the dark-haired woman stomped away angrily.
“I’m sorry this is so awkward for you,” he murmured.
Jodi laughed self-deprecatingly. “You’re a very popular person,” she said simply. Staring at their clasped hands, she took a deep, steadying breath and continued, “I’m neither naïve nor stupid, Free. I knew a long time ago about your reputation. From my bedroom window I could see the barn and your apartment…” she trailed off quietly.
She glanced up at him to find him watching her closely.
“I can’t change my past,” he whispered, his thumb stroking the top of her hand.
“I know that,” she whispered in return. “I can’t change mine, either.”
Free dropped his gaze to their hands and she heard him say, “I’m sure you’ve dated since I’ve been gone.”
Jodi smiled ruefully. “Define dating.”
Free raised his eyes to hers and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted when a couple staggered over to their table, sitting down unsteadily. “Freeman! Let’s do shots!” the inebriated woman slurred, while the man slapped Free on the back roughly in hello.
Free smiled at Jodi before introducing her to the two. “Jodi, this is Brad and his wife Sheila. I’ve known these two for ages.”
“Did he ever tell you how I found a morel mushroom the size of my pinky nail?” Sheila mumbled incoherently, holding up one unsteady hand and pointing to her fingernail. “I found it, and he didn’t!”
Free leaned over to Jodi and whispered, “I’ve never been morel hunting in my life. But for some reason, she thinks I havewith her. She tells this story every single time I see her.”
Jodi laughed heartily. Brad reached out a hand and Jodi shook it. “Nice to meet you.”
