All the Way by Jennifer Probst Page B

game. Vinnie sported the old-fashioned white button-down shirt, slacks, and sports jacket. Old school about his appearance, he always showed up dressed like he was going out on a hot date rather than getting drunk at the bar with his friends.
    Vinnie hummed the first bar of a song. Pop jumped in. “ Don’t Worry About Me ,” he boomed.
    Cosmo cursed. “I shoulda had that one.”
    Gavin blew out a breath. Didn’t they ever talk in anything but Sinatra code? “Fine, if I won’t change your mind by threats of death, how about jail? You’re breaking the law. No smoking inside of restaurants. Put it out, Cosmo.”
    The thick gold ring around his finger gleamed in the light. He muttered something in Italian and stubbed out the cigarette. “Ridiculous. You’re gonna ruin my game.”
    Pop glared at him.
    He confiscated the ashtray and the lighters. “No more smoking.”
    Cosmo glanced at his hand and threw in two more chips. “ Luck Be A Lady Tonight , gentlemen.”
    The men grumbled and went back to their game.
    Gavin smothered a laugh and left. He dropped off a basket of bread and checked Antonio’s progress in the kitchen. His chef shook his head in disgust when he entered. “You are screwing up again, Gavin.”
    “I’m trying to keep the evening running smoothly. Who would’ve thought Pop hung out with the bad crowd?”
    “You will lose your lady. You haven’t even danced with her tonight, and you leave her in the company of Dominick for entertainment.”
    “He’s married with kids.”
    Antonio sighed. “He cheats on his wife. This I know for a fact.”
    Gavin paused for a beat, then ripped off his apron. “When Brando gets here, tell him to set up cappuccino for table five. I’m taking a break.”
    He strode to the bar and took a seat next to her. She tapped the edge of her glass with one cherry red fingernail as she listened to Dominick amuse her with stories about the business. Gavin casually reached under the bar and slid one hand to the top of her thigh, stopping at the hem of her short black dress. Her quick indrawn breath danced in his ears.
    Dominick seemed to sense her distraction and paused. “Hey, Gavin, how are you? Just keeping this lovely lady company while you take care of business.”
    Gavin smiled. “How’s Deborah doing? And the kids, of course.”
    Color stained the man’s cheeks. “Uh, fine, just fine. Be right back.” He flew to the end of the bar and left them alone.
    Miranda glanced at him from under lowered lashes. “Were you trying to prove a point?”
    His fingers glided over her silk-clad legs, and her sleek muscles flexed under his touch. He grew to rock hard status and shifted uncomfortably as he imagined stripping off that dress and getting her naked and ready. Damn, she was beautiful. Classy. Sexy. It’d be a miracle if he got through the evening without taking her in the stockroom. Instead, he focused on conversation. “I just asked about his family. You knew he had a family, right?”
    She emitted a throaty gasp when his hand dipped under the sensitive flesh behind her knee. “The subject never came up, but I did notice the wedding ring. You didn’t have to play the role of possessive caveman, you know. What are you doing?”
    “Touching you.” He gritted his teeth as the wave of lust hit him hard. “I’m frustrated. I’ve been watching you all night, smiling and laughing with other men, and all I want to do is hold you in my arms. Strip off that little black dress. Kiss you, make you moan, drive inside you over and over—”
    “Gavin!” Her lower lip trembled. “Don’t say those things. And no—no touching.”
    He reluctantly let his fingers drop from the path of Eden. “Why?”
    “Because. You’re not getting me into bed tonight just because you invited me out once. Plus, we’re in a public place.”
    He shot her a grin. “Never stopped us before.”
    Sexual tension squeezed between them. A flash of recognition crossed her face. Gavin remembered