AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He took a sip of his drink, a hint of a smile dancing at the corner of that exceptional mouth. “I’m neither. But I do believe that evil must be fought. We don’t always win, but we have to try.” He put his glass down and faced her more directly. “You tried. And you won. You’re an impressive woman, Sara Constantine.”
“No, I’m—” She cut herself off, drew a breath, then said, “Thank you.”
“Why is it so hard to accept praise?”
She laughed, then took a sip of the Macallan that Melanie had slid in front of her. She glanced meaningfully at the bartender, then back to Luke. “I assume that question is meant for you as much as me?”
“Indeed.” He lifted his glass, and she met his toast with hers, theclinksettling strangely warm in her belly, especially when she noticed the silver signet ring on his right hand.Not married. Always a good sign.
She studied his face as temptation tightened in her chest. She’d noticed how attractive he was months ago, the first time she’d seen him watching her from across the bar. But he was even more gorgeous close up, with a strong jaw and well-defined cheekbones. A scar bisected his left brow, and that single flaw seemed to lift all his other perfect features to an even higher plane. She’d thought of him as a mythological god before, but that didn’t really do him justice.
“What case will you tackle next?”
She laughed. “What? Don’t I get a rest?”
“You don’t want one.”
“No,” she admitted. “I don’t.” She traced her finger over the rim of her glass, surprised that he saw her so clearly. “Tomorrow I’ll finalize paperwork and clear out my office. After that, I guess I’ll see what comes up on the docket.”
“An excellent way to live,” he said. “Never knowing what’s coming next, but always at the ready. It keeps you fresh.”
“Some people can’t handle it. But I love it.” She tilted her head, trying to place the accent coloring his subtly formal pattern of speech. “Where are you from?”
“I’ve traveled all over the world, but I’ve spent a lifetime in Los Angeles.” He took a sip of his drink, then glanced quickly over his shoulder toward the back tables.
“You’re really from LA? You sound…”
He returned his attention to her. “What?
She wanted to brush off the question, but found herself answering honestly. “Exotic,” she said. “God, that sounds so rude.”
“Not at all. From you, I’ll take it as a compliment.”
“You took my compliment much easier than you took Melanie’s.”
“Did I?”
“What did you do for her?”
“She found herself in need of a place to stay.”
“And you’re letting her stay with you?” An annoying niggle of jealousy tugged at her gut, and she was grateful he’d turned away to glance over his shoulder again. She thought he was watching a dark-haired man, head bent as he read the paper, and was relieved that he wasn’t keeping tabs on a woman.
“My asshole ex kicked me out,” Melanie said, coming up to refill the nuts. “Luke found me a new place in under an hour. No credit check. Reasonable rent. No first and last months upfront. Great location. He totally saved my bank account. I was afraid I’d have to hole up at some rat-infested hotel. Or drive all the way to Riverside and stay with my mother. Seriously, this man is the coolest. Be right with you!” she added, waving at a couple who’d just settled in on the far side of the bar.
Sara took a long sip of whiskey for courage, then met Luke’s eyes as he turned back to face her. “You’ve been watching me.”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I have.”
She leaned back, surprised by his honesty, then lifted her drink. He reached out, capturing her arm before the glass met her lips. “What is this?” His thumb brushed lightly over the soft skin under her wrist, skimming over the characters inked there:
???.
“Just a tattoo.”
“An interesting choice.”
She hid her frown by taking another sip of her drink. “You know what it means?”
