Read Jared: Red, Hot, & Blue, Book 4 for Free Online Page A

bumped anything else with a guy in a while either, come to think of it. She was long overdue for that. For now, this would do.
    Mandy adjusted her position beneath the table. Crossing her legs she aligned herself so she could slowly and tantalizingly run her toe up and down Jared’s calf.
    His raised brow and wide smile that he tried to hide behind his beer as he took a long draw from the bottle told Mandy her little flirtation was affecting him. Damn, it was starting to get to her too as her insides began to warm.
    Reminding herself she was here to get her release signed and not get laid, Mandy started making small talk that would hopefully lead to a discussion about her show. Maybe their little game beneath the table would loosen Jared up enough he’d reconsider. “This is a great place. No wonder you come here.”
    Sipping on the longneck bottle—she had refused the glass so she’d blend in with the locals—Mandy felt the cold foam slip down her throat. With every swallow she thought more about what it would be like to take this thing with Jared to another level.
    Jared laughed. “It’s also the only place. That’s why we come here.”
    Bobby didn’t even smile. It seemed Bobby was going to be the tougher nut to crack, more so even than Jared. That was all right. She was up for a challenge. She was just getting her beer muscles…and toes. Adjusting her angle, she moved the game of footsie to Jared’s thigh.
    “Well, I’ve been to more small towns and their bars in the last two weeks than I ever imagined I’d see in a lifetime. Having a basis for comparison, I can assure you this is one of the better ones.”
    “Tell me where you’ve been, darlin’. What’ve you been doin’ since I saw you last?” Jared’s hand landed on her knee and squeezed and she had to work to smother a moan.
    Why was she wishing he’d slide his hand up a little farther? The seam of her jeans was already pressing against a suddenly incredibly sensitive spot. If Jared even touched her there she’d come right at the table beneath the steely-eyed perusal of the local law enforcement. There was probably some sort of law against public orgasms in Pigeon Hollow. She nearly giggled at that and realized she was well on her way to getting tipsy. Mandy remembered she’d forgotten to eat dinner.
    With a knowing grin that said he knew exactly what his touch has done to her, Jared relaxed back in his chair and stretched out one booted leg. She glanced at the long, lean, denim-clad leg and swallowed.
    He wanted stories? She had stories. And what better way to take her mind off of how that leg would feel if she dared to put her hand on it? Mandy swallowed the desire in her throat and launched into the first of what would turn into many tales of her recent travels.
    Before she knew it, the waitress had dropped off another round. The second beer went down as easily and quickly as the first while she was regaling them with stories of all the characters she’d met over the last few weeks of roaming the South in her rental car.
    Still laughing from one of her descriptions, Jared put down his bottle and stood. “If you’ll ’scuse me.”
    She nodded as he disappeared into dark a corner in the back of the bar, leaving her alone with Bobby.
    The deputy leaned forward once Jared was gone. “What are you still doing in my town, Miss Mandy?”
    Leaning forward herself, she answered him. “Honestly? I’m here to convince your town that my offer to tape my show here is the best thing that ever happened to them.”
    “You many think that, but I’m not so sure.”
    “Forgive me, but if you don’t see how I can benefit every person here, then you’re as shortsighted as your friend. I’ve talked to a few of the business owners, Deputy. All of them were enthusiastic about the idea. They’d all sign on in a heartbeat. All of them except the one I need. The Gordons still say no. Jared Gordon to be exact.”
    “There’s something I don’t