Chapter 1

Audrey

Saturday 4.48am

The steady thump of the music competes with my heart as Beth shimmies seductively with just about every man in the nightclub.

I adjust my skirt, wishing I hadn’t let her talk me into wearing it, and take a sip of my beer.

I knew this trip wouldn’t be fun. But I also knew Beth is hiding how devastated she really is about her divorce.

I’m waiting for the train wreck that is sure to come when she’s flirted and possibly screwed someone as payback for her husband’s decision to end things.

Even if I don’t think this is the healthiest way to deal, Beth is family, and even if I’m not interested in partying, I know she’s making up for all the things she missed.

By reminding myself she’s not doing as well as she thinks she is, I ignore my growling stomach and my body’s desire to sleep.

When she finally decides to come sit down, probably just to get another drink, I take my chance.

I lean over and yell in her ear. “It’s nearly five am. The club has to shut soon.”

She grins and flicks her blonde hair behind her shoulder. “I know! Isn’t it great? I’ve never stayed out this late before.”

I force a smile. I do not think it’s great. I think it’s the pits. I’m tired, stone-cold sober, hungry, and sick of sweaty men hitting on me.

I can think of a million places I’d rather be at five am, and none of them involve sitting on a sticky barstool.

Instead of telling her I’m tired, I try another tactic. “We can do this again tomorrow. We’re here all weekend.”

She shakes her head and gets back on her feet. “I met this guy. He’s Greek and he lives around the corner and he wants to take me home.”

I have to fight not to groan. Not that she’d hear it in here. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

When her shoulders sag a little, I think she looks almost set to agree with me, but her brow furrows. “Auds, you can relax, you know. No one knows who you are.”

I stifle another yawn. “It’s not that. I need sleep. We can come out again tomorrow,” I yell at her.

Her frown grows, and she leans in close to yell in my ear. “I’m going home with Costas.”

I’m so tired that I just pick up my purse and shrug. “You don’t need to screw him.”

But she’s already gone, leaving me staring at the lights on the dancefloor.

I turn on my heel and find the extremely good-looking bartender watching me.

His eyes are dark, and his jawline is shadowed by a scruffy beard. A few times I’ve caught him looking at me, which has only increased my anxiety he’s recognized me.

Given I’m in downtown Miami, and he’s not exactly in the circles I travel in, that’s unlikely.

His lips tug into a smile, and he taps his watch as though I need the reminder the club is going to close soon.

I find a weak smile, and hobble past him, ignoring the incredibly sexy vibe he’s giving off.

I’m almost at the door when I remember something I should have done before.

Beth needed my car keys three hours ago so she still has them.

I spin on my heel, and push through throngs of grabby and sweaty clubbers all heading for the exit in a desperate bid to find my cousin.

But there’s no sign of her, and after a futile search of the ladies’ room, I realize I’m going to have to get a cab.

Given the number of other clubbers on phones ordering them, I’m going to be in for a very long wait.

With a weary sigh, I hop back on the barstool I claimed three hours ago and wonder if it would be easier to walk.

One glance at the impractical heels Beth insisted I wear, and I know that’s not going to be an option.

Not only do I have to leave my car here, at a horrendous rate, but I have to wait for a cab which was precisely why I drove us here.

I hop off the stool, and head towards the exit, crossing my fingers there might be some women willing to share.

I stumble out into the early morning, and drink in a glorious sunrise painted across the sky.

Despite my annoyance at Beth, it’s impossible not to appreciate the aesthetic.

Especially after a night spent watching people groping each other. I lean against the wall and watch the color spread until my eyes are blurring and I’m yawning.

There’s a gaggle of very drunk women, looking worse for wear in the parking lot, so I brace myself to go see if I can hitch a ride.

I’m stopped by a masculine voice beside me. “Best thing about working nights.”

I turn and find myself staring at the bartender again.

This time, in the daylight, he’s just as handsome, but the way he’s looking at the sky makes him somehow less intimidating.

“It’s stunning,” I say.

His eyes meet mine and another lazy smile appears. “Didn’t you drive here?”

That he noticed surprises me, but I nod and point to the waiting group of clubbers. “My cousin took my car keys. I was about to ask one of them if I could share their cab.”

As if I timed it perfectly, one of the women in the group lurches away and starts to throw up in the bushes outside the club.

He rubs at his chin while I watch on in horror. “Where are you staying?”

I tear my eyes away and try to hide my disgust. “Um. Clearwater resort.”

He nods slowly. “I don’t normally do this. And I probably shouldn’t offer. But if you’re stuck, I can drive you home.”

My stomach backflips as I look sidelong at him. “Um,” is all I can think of to say.

He chuckles. “I promise I’m not a creep. I’ll even make you a deal. You can drive, I’ll sleep.”

I’m so tired, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. But him suggesting it makes me relax monumentally. “That’s fine. You can drive me home. But you should know, I have mace in my purse,” I say.

He laughs again and jerks his thumb behind us. “My car’s this way. And I’m Spencer by the way. You can call me Spence.”

Strangely, I find myself smiling back at him. “Audrey,” I say.

***

Spencer

I wish I could say I don’t know why I offered to drive her. But I do know.

I’ve been watching her since she and her cousin arrived.

With the lean body of a dancer, full breasts, long dark hair, and lips made for kissing, I noticed her the second she sat down.

I’d expected her to throw back a few drinks and flirt with me just like every other woman in the club. But she didn’t do either of those things. She danced, but mostly she spent the night doing a stellar job of watching out for Beth who was flirting with pretty much anyone who paid her attention.

Her cousin was cute. Big tits, blonde curls, desperation pouring off her, but Audrey was pure unobtainable class in a sea of easy lays.

And now she’s sitting in my car, looking at me like I’m about to knife her or worse. “Got your mace ready?”

Her lips twitch into an uncertain smile and I find myself staring too long at them. “I’m always prepared for the worst,” she says,

I smile back at her and turn the ignition on, taking every opportunity to look at her while I can. “How long are you in Miami for?”

She stifles a yawn. “Just until Monday. Beth needed a break. Things have been rough for her this year.”

I nod and ask what I think I already know. “Newly divorced?”

Her brow arches. “Is it that obvious?”

I shrug and put the car in gear. “You get to know the type.”

I can feel her eyes on me as I pull out of the parking lot. It’s still early enough for traffic to be sparse, but it won’t take long before the freeway is congested, and the heat is melting the asphalt.

If I were on my own, I detour to the beach, maybe grab some Cafecito to wind down, but my passenger means I need to make allowances.

Her voice comes out a cross between annoyed and curious. “The type?”

I glance at her and nod. “You do this job long enough you notice things.”

She’s silent for a while, I think she’s dropped it, but when I look at her again, her brow is furrowed. “And what’s my type?”

I chuckle because I know a trap when I see one. “Smart. Educated. Gorgeous.”

She laughs. “Nice answer, you must get a lot of practice handling women?”

A smile creases my lips. “Too much.”

Her voice comes out wry. “I guess that comes with the job. Women throwing themselves at you?”

I slide a look sidelong and make sure I’m looking at her face and not at the swell of her breasts. “It’s a blessing and a curse, depending on the woman,” I say with a grin.

Her amusement only grows. “One of the perks to bartending?”

I chuckle low because I know what she’s implying. I’m a little old to be a bartender, and in the cold light of day, I’m probably looking every year of my thirty.

“I don’t do this all the time. But it’s a great way to network.”

“Network?”

I nod and turn down Lincoln Road. “You’d be surprised how many people I meet tending bar. It’s pretty much the best way to get inside information.”

She’s quiet for a moment, and I hear her yawn again. “I’m so tired. I don’t know how you can work all night long.”

I want to tell her I can do a lot of things all night long, but I don’t. “You get used to it. And I don’t work nights all the time. I’ve been filling in for my little brother this week.”

“Well, lucky for me then. I’m not so sure another bartender would have come to my rescue.”

Considering how stunning she is, and the fact that she was sober and polite, I’m picking pretty much all of the bartenders would have offered.

My brother included.

“You’re going to need to come back to get your car, aren’t you?”

She groans. “I know. I’ll do it tonight. After I’ve had some sleep. And after I’ve spoken to Beth. This weekend is costing me way more than I anticipated.”

Rather than risk looking at her, I keep my eyes on the road, and try to come up with a good enough reason to see her again.

She’ll have to come by the club, but I’m rostered off this weekend, so I won’t be there. If she’s only in town a few more days, I’d be crazy to start something with her.

By the time I pull into the parking lot, she’s fighting to stay awake, and yawing so much she can barely keep her lips together.

She smothers another one and gives me a weary smile. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

When she reaches for her purse, I shake my head. “I don’t need your money. It was on my way,” I lie.

She frowns hard. “I can’t let you—”

I cut her off. “Thanks for not mace-ing me.”

She snorts an inelegant laugh and seems to get I’m not going to take her money. “Nice to know there are some gentlemen left in the world.”

My lips tug into a smile because the thoughts I’m having aren’t gentlemanly in the least. “Take care of yourself,” I say.

She gives me a warm smile as she opens the door. “I will. And thanks again.”

When the door closes, I hang around for a second, watching her long legs, and the way her hips and ass move as she heads for the entrance.

Just as a car honks me to move, my cell starts to vibrate on the dash.

I pull out and hit the call button. “This is Spence.”

The number is hidden but I’d know the gravely voice anywhere. “The owner is going to be away all weekend and we’ve got the access code. You free?”

I glance in my rearview and frown as my plans to pay Audrey a visit slide away. “The island job?”

“Think you can handle that?’

I nearly choke on a laugh. “Handle the job I found you mean?”

He curses down the line. “Don’t be a smart ass. I can’t remember who got what and how, now can I?”

I flip the sun visor down and tap my fingers on the steering wheel as I head back towards my condo.

“Okay. But I might be bringing a guest.”

He growls. “Long as you do your part, don’t give a shit who you bring.”

A smile starts to spread as I consider that statement. “I’ll see you at the marina.”

I don’t bother to say another word, I just end the call.

I should probably be a little concerned I’m planning to bring Audrey along. But this is easy money and if I can convince her, she’ll make a boring job a whole lot more interesting.