He was trouble.
A year ago, in Club Anarchy, she’d been on her way to the restroom when she first laid eyes on him. Even before she knew who he was, she’d been drawn to him. Sure, he was ridiculously handsome, possessed a tough, sexy body and had a dangerously dark charisma, but something about him had tugged at her. Then she’d seen him in action. Seen that smirk of his as the women crowded him. Yup, drawn right back.
Only, he’d shown up athertable a little later, and on her birthday had snapped at her to get her ass moving since he was there to see her safely home.
Her, he barked at, but the others, he let them drool over him.
Whatever attraction she felt had died a swift death. She wanted a match to her heart. And he wasn’t it.
* * *
“Please tell me you’ve changed your mind about your leave and have come back to work early?”
At her boss’s harried tone, Kira grinned, leaning her forearms on the mahogany-stained wooden counter, lucky to get a space there. As usual, the bar was packed and noisy, the smell of grilling burgers and malted beer flooding the place. “Nope. Just here to meet someone.”
Brian’s overgrown, bushy, gray brows popped in surprise. “You have another date?”
Actually, Elias had been her last date—many months ago—not that her boss was interested. She laughed. “You say it like it’s a bad thing. But, no.”
He sighed. “Just my luck. I’m about to lose one of my best waitress-slash-bartenders.”
“I’ve been with you for nearly seven years and your sometimes-bartender for the last three. It’s time for a change, Brian. The big, wide world calls.”
He set a soda in front of her, waving off the money she held out. “I’m sure,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “But it won’t stop me from trying to change your mind with the two weeks I have.” He moved off to serve another customer.
Kira traced a finger down the misty can. A new job?
She hadn’t realized that she wanted one until a few weeks ago. After helping Tomas settle at The Shelter, she knew she’d found something worthwhile to dedicate her life to instead of encouraging people to become future candidates for Alcoholics Anonymous. As if the world didn’t have enough problems.
First, she needed some time away to get rid of this restlessness crawling through her. Maybe she’d travel a bit. Her parents had left her financially well provided for. She didn’t need to work. And bumping into Tomas had shown her a new way, but he’d run off again.
The main door opened. People swarmed inside and out of the cold like buzzing bees. Too fidgety to remain still, perhaps it would be better if she waited for Liam outside.
“Brian,” she yelled. “Raincheck on my soda. I gotta go.”
Kira scurried off, dodging the people surging into the bar. And crashed into a tall guy. “Sorry—” She leaped back. “I didn’t see…” The rest of her apology died when she looked up at him.
Sporting bronze hair shorn almost to his skull, the man cast her a cursory look, then sidestepped her and moved on, stopping a few meters away to survey the crowd. Dressed all in black, he looked like he should be hanging out with the Guardians, killing evil demons and such. Yep, he’d probably give them some competition with his badass vibe and striking good looks. However, the sense of familiarity sweeping through her had her brow knitting in confusion.
As if sensing her scrutiny, he glanced back. A shallow cleft notched his chin. Piercing emerald-green eyes narrowed for a second before he made his way back to her. “You’re not working tonight?”
Huh? Kira shook her head, trying to put a name to his face. “No, I’m off…” Dammit, of course. It had been a year, after all. “Riley?”
“Yes. Sorry, it took me a moment to recognize you with the different hair color.”
“And you took off all yours,” she teased.
“Yeah.” A short laugh escaped him. “Can we talk?”
Wow, he sounded serious. In the many years she’d worked at the Peacock Lounge, she’d had several customers who needed a shoulder to cry on. “Sure, but I can only spare a few minutes. I promised to help a friend, and I’d hate to cancel at the last second.”
“I see.”
Though nothing showed on his face, Kira had the distinct impression something troubled him. Maybe it had to do with the girl he’d mentioned the last time he was here. “You and your girlfriend okay?”
“What? No-no.” Instantly, his expression softened, and a genuine smile lit his face. “We’re fine.”
Okay. Kira glanced outside through the glass door at the bike double-parked in front of the bar. Nope, she didn’t have time to talk. “I’m really sorry, Riley, I have to go. My friend’s here. How about tomorrow night? Around 6 or 7?”
