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at Kenzie as she sat down on the barstool.
    “Saw what?”
    “You checking out my brother’s backside.”
    “I was not. I was looking at—” she glanced back the way he’d disappeared, “—that puddle of something or other over there.”
    Kenzie arched a brow and leaned forward to peek over the bar counter.
    “That puddle is the size of a quarter. And your eyes were arse level, not floor level.”
    “I’m not having this conversation.”
    “It’s fine, I’ll carry it on for the both of us. You guys really should just sleep together,” Kenzie mused. “I’ve never seen two people more destined to fuck.”
    She was not the type that blushed easily, but dammit, this was twice in two days she’d had a reason to.
    “Why are you here? Aren’t you off for the evening?”
    “Aye, but I wanted to check on you. And besides that, I’m hungry. Ring in a cheeseburger for me, all right?”
    “Done.” Delonna typed in the order, knowing her friend well enough to request no onions. “And I’m fine, by the way.”
    “Are you really? I’m sorry I wasn’t home last night. I meant to be, but Brett bought this brilliant wine, and one thing led to another, and—”
    “Really, no need to explain. Especially about where it led.” She laughed softly. “I get it, Kenzie. You’ve got an amazing fiancé whom you’re head over heels in love with. I wouldn’t be home either.”
    “Still, you needed me last night.”
    “I was fine. And whether I wanted him or not, I had Aleck. Though he was pretty awesome, actually. Even made sure I got home okay.”
    “Did he now?” Kenzie’s eyes brightened. “After he ensured your safety home, did he perhaps sleep over?”
    “No. And stop with that line of thought, please.”
    “Hmm. Bummer.”
    Delonna gave her a pint of ale and a warning look.
    Kenzie sipped the ale, her expression thoughtful. “You realize he canceled a date for you last night?”
    Heart stilling, Delonna stared at her friend. “He had a date?”
    “Aye. Some customer with too much makeup and a skirt that was about the size of a bandage.”
    “So his usual type,” Delonna muttered.
    “So to speak. Or it is when he actually makes an attempt to go on dates, which isn’t all that often. Though…never mind.”
    “Though what?”
    Kenzie looked uncomfortable. “It’s nothing. It’s just that, I suppose dating is the wrong word.”
    Awareness kicked in and Delonna nodded. “Just hooking up?”
    “Aye. Probably. Aleck doesn’t really date. Hasn’t since…” Kenzie closed her mouth and looked away. “He just doesn’t anymore.”
    So Aleck had given up getting laid last night to help her? Why?
    The memory of him walking her to the door last night flickered through her head. Of him going in for a kiss. Her heart began to pound harder and her mouth tightened.
    “Excuse me for a moment.” Glancing around to make sure no customers were going to need immediate help, she strode to the back room.
    Aleck had just begun putting in his whisky orders from their delivery source when Delonna strode into the back. He glanced up, distracted momentarily from the price changes, and glanced at her.
    “Everything all right?” He needn’t have asked, though, if he went by the compressed lips and warning glint in her eyes.
    “Last night, when you showed up to help me. Were you hoping for something in return at the end of the day?”
    He stilled, not pleased with what she was implying. Leaning back in his chair, he narrowed his eyes at her.
    “As in was I hoping you would shag me?” he asked lightly.
    She blinked and then gave a small nod, folding her arms across her chest.
    He bit back a snarl of a laugh. Then, as stoically as he could, he rolled his shoulders and said, “Aye.”
    Her eyes went huge and her body began to tremble. “You complete jerk. You seriously—”
    “Bloody hell, no, not seriously.” He stood up and rounded the desk toward her.
    When she moved to back up, he caught her arm to stop