Some Like It in Handcuffs by Christine Warner Page A

it was on its way.”
    “Jeez, give me a break. You think if you hadn’t rescued me I’d have been dragged from the bar kicking and screaming? I’ve handled situations like that before, as a matter of fact just last week.” She tilted her head with a defiant lift of her chin.
    “Tonight you didn’t have to, because I was here.” Judson’s voice lowered as he took a step toward her.
    “I’m not going to argue with you about this.” She glared. “I guess we’ll never know how I definitely would’ve handled the situation since you jumped in before I’d finished.”
    Sunny backed up, stumbling in her heels. She ran her hand through her hair, spun around, and stormed toward the sanctuary of the ladies room.
    The one stall bathroom door slammed shut behind her and she pressed the lock into place. The faded green and white foiled wallpaper covered every wall in the small space and winked at her as the solitary light over the sink reflected against it. She balanced her hands on either side of the porcelain sink and stared at her reflection in the mirror.
    He infuriated her. She shouldn’t even care what he thought of her, but she did. Then when he blamed Benny…
    She turned on the water cupping her hands. They filled with the velvet smooth water and she splashed it onto her face. Sunny had told Benny several times he needed to hire a reliable bouncer to control the rowdies. The lame brain he paid now never seemed to be of any help if someone got out of control. She had no idea where he disappeared to, but she and all the dancers had to rely on Benny’s help, and sometimes Slater’s, and they weren’t getting any younger.
    Closing her eyes, she pressed her forehead against the cool surface of the mirror. A tear squeezed from her eyelid then slid down her cheek.
    What if he was right? She’d never had any trouble handling herself before, but then again she’d never been in a situation quite like that one. Every other time she’d had a man get out of control she’d curbed their advances before things got carried away.
    She cringed remembering how she’d been pinned on that man’s lap. Could she have gotten away without Judson’s help? And, what if her family was right? She wanted a challenge, but maybe she was in way over her head.
    No way.
    Sunny opened her eyes and smiled at her reflection. Even though she was little in stature, her willpower demanded she take care of herself. If she needed to fight, she would. Being raised with four over powering brothers had prepared her to wrestle her way out of tight spots. And, if things got out of control and a weapon was necessary, she could handle that as well. Her Dad had taught all of his kids to use a gun properly.
    A moment of surprise wouldn’t distract her from her goal.
    Sunny fluffed her hair, put on her game face, and stepped into the packed bar. Judson sat across the room, his eyes trained on the door she’d come out of. She met his stare, gave him a tight smile, and strolled toward him.
    “Get your stuff. You’re off duty as of now.” His strong voice flowed in one ear and out the other.
    “You are not the boss of me.” She walked past him and took her place on the opposite side of the bar.
    “Benny cleared it. You have the rest of the night off.” His voice lowered to a dangerous level. “Get your stuff. I’m taking you home.”
    “Get a cotton swab and clean out the wax.” She rested her palms on the counter and met his gaze across the bar. “I’m. Not. Leaving.”
    “Sunny, I said—”
    “I heard what you said, big guy. I’m not leaving. I’m finishing my shift.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Stay, leave, make your choice, because I’ve already made mine.”
    His face turned to stone. Sunny craned her neck when he stood from the stool, walked around the bar then stopped in front of her. She took two steps back colliding with the oak cabinets behind her.
    “Don’t…don’t even think…think about it.” Her voice