Even though it was originally my idea for Angel to ask Jenna to tend bar for the MC, it’s still a pretty big shock to see her here.

Since that day at the Downtown Diner, I haven’t seen Jenna at all. And definitely not this close up.

I could have used a warning.

Again, I’m struck by how startling it is to see her as a brunette. It definitely suits her. Hell, pretty much anything would look good on Jenna, though. She could probably shave her damn head and still be a damn knockout. Even so, it still feels a little… off. Like the way she was carrying herself the other day at the diner. The curtain of hair, and the way she has a tendency to hide behind it, feels like a barrier. Something she’s consciously placing between her and the world.

She looks up at me just as I come through the door and freezes in her tracks. Those pale, pale blue eyes lock onto me, her lips parting slightly in surprise. I take advantage of the moment to check out the entire package close up.

Jenna is petite in stature, barely coming up to my shoulder. But even so, somehow she has legs that just won’t quit. She’s wearing a pair of jean shorts that are probably meant to be modest, but on her they’re anything but. Looking at her now, my eyes raking over her curves, I can still remember how it felt to reach down and cup her ass, pulling her toward me for the first time all those years ago. The feel of it in my hands is so strong right now that I have to fight the rising of my cock against my zipper. Shit. No good pitching a tent right here in front of the whole club. Especially when I can’t do anything about it.

“Hey,” I say, my voice huskier than I mean it to be.

“Hey,” she half-whispers back.

“So. You’re working here now?”

Jenna blinks her eyes in surprise. “Yeah, I guess so. How did you know?”

“I, uh…” I shrug. “I suggested it to Angel. After Jewel got hurt.”

“Oh.” Jenna looks flustered, like she doesn’t quite know what to make of that. “You did?”

Frankly, neither do I. Oh, yeah, of course I suggested it to Angel. At the time, it just seemed like a practical solution to a mutual problem. But that was when Jenna still seemed kind of… abstract. Now, with her here in the flesh, right in front of me… Well, let’s just say, I’ve never been much of a one to resist temptation. And this, right here? This is a fucking temptation. And I brought it on myself.

“Yeah,” I continue nonchalantly. “It just seemed like it made sense. Angel said you were back in town, and that you were having some money troubles, so…”

Jenna’s expression changes, in the space of an instant. Her jaw sets, and her eyes flash. She’s embarrassed, and more than that, she’s pissed.

“Great. Glad to know my life is and my problems are something everyone feels entitled to know about,” she says sharply, giving a short, sarcastic laugh. “But I guess it was probably obvious anyway. Why else would I accept a job in a place like this?”

Fuck. I feel bad. Jenna’s always been proud. She doesn’t like people to see her weaknesses. I know that much about her. I wish I could take my words back, but of course it’s too late for that.

Instead, I pretend to be angry myself, to take the focus off her. “What do you mean, a place like this?” I retort. “You think you’re too good for the likes of us?”

It seems to work, at least a little. “No, that’s not what I meant,” she says quickly.

“Sure it is,” I continue. “You think we’re just a bunch of criminals. The lowest of the low.”

“No!” She rolls her eyes in frustration. “It’s just that…” She pauses.

“It’s just that what?” I prompt, crossing my arms.

“I just…” She’s flustered now, and her blush heats her skin. I resist the urge to reach up and slide my thumb along her jawline, to see if it will make her blush more.

“I’m sorry, you’re right,” she finally admits. “That was rude of me to say. I don’t think badly of the club. I just…” She sighs, looking defeated. “Well, I guess I was hoping to find a job other than bartending for once. I guess I’m just frustrated that I have to basically take a charity job with my brother’s club.”

“It’s not charity,” I say gently. “We really do need a bartender. Just so happens, you fit the bill and you’re free.” Her face looks dubious, and I decide not to push it. I try to change the subject. “How’ve you been?” I ask her without thinking, and then realize I’ve just put the focus right back on her and her troubles. Smooth.

She laughs softly. “Okay. I mean, apart from the obvious.”

“You look good,” I say, because it’s true. Her blush just gets deeper. Fuck, she’s just as goddamn gorgeous and sexy as I remember her being. More, actually. What I wouldn’t give to back her against the bar and have my way with her right now.

“Thanks,” she murmurs, looking down. “So do you.”

Aha.

“Hey, Ghost!” yells Beast from the back. “Get back here and settle a bet for Tank and me.”

“Calm your tits,” I call back. I grin at Jenna. “Sorry. Pardon my French.”

“I forget they call you Ghost now,” Jenna says, a tiny smile quirking the corners of her mouth. “Angel told me that.” She wrinkles her nose. “It took me a minute to figure out it’s because your name is Casper.”

“That’s not why they call me Ghost,” I tell her.

“It’s not?”

I take a half-step toward her and lower my voice a notch. “No,” I say, “But I can be a very friendly ghost, if you want me to.”

I mostly say it just to see her reaction, but as soon as the words are out of my mouth, something changes. It’s as though an electric arc just shot between us. Her eyes lock onto mine for a long, scorching second. When she finally looks away, I realize I’m hard as a rock.

“I’m just here to pour drinks, Cas,” she says quietly.

“Ghost!” Beast shouts again.

“Goddamn it,” I mutter, turning away. Jenna retreats behind the bar, and I go back to kick Beast’s ass.