He wilts. Asshole.

I gesture our bouncer over. “Take out the trash, would you?”

He hustles the jackass out to the back door. Then I notice, the woman left her jacket. I grab it, and follow her out the front.

“Wait! Hold up!” I yell, going after her. She’s pacing on the sidewalk out front, and turns as I approach. “You left this,” I explain.

“Oh. Thank you,” she says, looking kind of giddy, her face lit up with exhilaration. “And I’m sorry about the mess in your bar. I—”

“Don’t you dare apologize,” I stop her. “I’d pay good money for that show. I’ve seen a lot of stuff go down here before, but I’ve got to say…the dick punch was new.”

She laughs. “I took a self-defense class last year,” she admits, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes sparkling in the streetlights. “They said, go straight for the good stuff.”

“Well, you certainly taught me a few tricks.” I stare at her for a moment, before remembering my manners. I offer my hand. “I’m Austin.”

“Jenn,” she replies, slowly taking it. Her skin is soft, but her handshake is firm, but somehow, I’m not surprised. This woman is just full of contradictions.

I wrack my brains for something smart to say, but the best I can come up with is, “I’ve never seen you at Mavericks before.”

Way to turn on the charm, dumbass.

Jenn’s flush deepens. “Like I said, I’m more of a homebody.”

I blink. “Wait. You weren’t kidding about the knitting, were you?”

“It’s a social thing, with friends,” she blurts, looking downright adorable. “A knitting circle.”

I can’t help smiling. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Jenn, who throws punches and knits sweaters.”

“I mean, not at the same time,” Jenn says, and I laugh.

“That would be impressive. Although, would you need the dick-punch if you had those knitting needles to hand?” I ask.

“True,” she grins back at me. “I should carry them around with me. You never know when a guy like that will need… needling.”

Our eyes meet, and we just stand there, smiling at each other, and I get the weirdest feeling.

I’m tongue-tied.

Me, the guy who always has a line, or charming compliment. Who can melt any woman’s heart – and panties – without even trying. But now I’m standing here on a street corner, and I can’t think of a single thing to say, because this mysterious Jenn has surprised, impressed, and charmed me in the space of ten minutes flat.

And I want more.

“There you are.” We’re interrupted by a woman’s voice, and I turn to find…

Shit. My date for the night. Who I completely forgot about.

Melissa is standing outside the bar in a skin-tight dress, flashing me a big smile. We met the other night, and she seemed like fun company. But now, I’m wishing I didn’t have plans.

I greet her, then turn back to Jenn, not ready to say goodbye just yet. I can’t ask for her number in front of my date, but… “Can I get you a cab? An ice-pack for your fist? Yarn?” I joke.