“You know, short man?”
He shook his head, frowning.
“Short man syndrome, or the Napoleon complex, describes the idea that shorter men overcompensate for feelings of inferiority due to their height through aggressive, domineering, or overly competitive behavior, though it's a social stereotype, not a clinical diagnosis. Studies show taller men can be more aggressive when provoked. At the same time, some research suggests shorter men might use compensatory behaviors for survival and mating advantages. Many of these men also suffer from small penis syndrome. Do you know if he does?” she asked, leaning in close. “Does he suffer from that?”
Viking tossed his head back, a laugh echoing around them.
Chapter Eight
Jinx knew her words would make Viking smile. Hearing him laugh soothed the jagged edges around her soul. His brother was an obvious jerk. She’d seen the way he’d looked her up and down. She was used to men and even women appraising her and finding her wanting. Oh, there were patrons at the bar who would offer to take her home, or out for a quick fuck, but she wasn’t an idiot. Anyone who came from a good family didn’t take a bartender home to meet their mama. Of course, if they knew where she came from...no, she wouldn’t think like that. Her lineage wasn’t something she would use.
“Hey, where did you go?”
Viking’s gruff voice brought her out of her head, making her blink twice. Shit, she needed to stop thinking about the past if she didn’t want him to ask questions she didn’t want to answer.
“Sorry. I guess I’m still trying to get my legs under me. My thighs are still vibrating,” she said truthfully.
He stared at her for a long moment and then gave a stiff nod. “That’s normal for someone not used toriding. If I had you on the back of my bike, I’d have to make sure we didn’t go too long without breaks, or you’d be sore.”
“That sounds fun. I’ve never ridden on a bike.”
His eyes flared as if he were picturing them together, or maybe that was her wishful thinking.
“Mmm, we’ll have to rectify that.”
She dropped her eyes, not wanting to look like she was a schoolgirl drooling over her first crush. For crying out loud, he was a twenty-four-year-old woman, not a teenager getting asked out by the quarterback.
“I should probably get home and change for my shift at the bar tonight.” She bit her lip to keep from spewing more bullshit. Jinx had a feeling Viking could see through whatever mumbo jumbo she tossed out, so she didn’t waste her breath. Besides, the less she lied, the better she felt.
“What time do you have to be there?” he asked, looking at the watch on his wrist.
She glanced at her own, which wasn’t as fancy as his. “In four hours, but I want to get there a little earlier and make sure we’re stocked up properly before the evening rush. Sometimes I don’t have timeto do that. With the holidays and all, you never know who will pop in for a drink.”
“Yeah, people love to celebrate even on Christmas.” He let out a deep breath. The same look of sadness she’d glimpsed at the restaurant washed over his face.
“What are you doing the rest of the evening? Big plans?” she asked.
“Well, I’m not hanging out with my brother, that’s for sure.” Viking glared in the direction his brother had gone.
She nodded. “On account of his little dick and all?”
A huge smile split his lips. “Fuck, you are good for me.”
She grinned back. “You’re the first person to say that.”
He stepped closer—his heat enveloping her in a comforting embrace. “I like being the first for you. In fact, I find myself liking lots of things about you.”
Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water, but for once, Jinx couldn’t think of a snappy comeback. Finally, she inhaled and let it out. “I like you too.”
He pinched her chin between two of his fingers, keeping her face where he wanted, and gave her a quick, hard kiss. “Come on, Cinderella. Let’s get you home so you can get ready. I don’t want you blaming me for making you late.”
“You just don’t want to be on the hook for taking care of me if I get fired, thanks to you.” She gave her head a little shake, laughing. Viking couldn’t know that Frank wouldn’t fire her unless she did something horrid, like embezzle a million dollars from him or murder a customer in cold blood in front of witnesses. Even then, he’d probably ask if she had a good reason before firing her on the spot.
“You think so?” he asked.
She frowned up at him, wondering what he meant, but then her phone rang. She held up a finger. “Hey, Fred, what's up?”
Jinx shook her head, looking up at Viking, feeling her face go hot. “I did not leave with some stranger. I left with Bekkett Larsen. Who told you I climbed into some guy’s truck after making out with him like some hussy?”
