“You know Jake will have a fit if he finds out you're smoking again,” Eve said as she neared her.
Kataya shrugged and killed the stub on the wall, then she hugged Eve. “He won't. He’s in the Middle East. Happy birthday.”
“Thanks…” Eve frowned at her tense tone. “What’s wrong? You seem to be wound up tighter than my copper wire sculptures.”
Kataya snorted, but her whiskey-colored eyes appeared troubled. “I haven’t spoken to Jake in months… I miss him.”
A tiny stab of envy pierced Eve’s heart. Hastily, she blocked the unkind emotion. If anyone deserved happiness, Kataya did. Disowned by her parents when she became pregnant at sixteen, then losing her baby, Kat’s personal life had been a mess until she met Jake.
Kataya popped a breath mint in her mouth. Her gaze fastened on the Band-Aids Eve used to cover up the scrapes and cuts on her hands. “What happened?”
“It’s nothing.” In a protective gesture, Eve balled her fingers, the old scars from her childhood accident pulling tautly over the new injuries. She shrugged. “I got a little too enthusiastic with my sculptures—I'm okay.”
“Hmmn…” Kat murmured. “If you say so. Gloves, Eve.”
At the reminder, she pulled out a dark red pair from her purse and drew them on. Kat didn't bat an eyelid, used to Eve’s colorful handwear. Since she had to spend her lifetime wearing them, she might as well make a fashion statement. “So, who’s here?”
“Eric, Brenna…and David,” she mumbled the last name.
At her friend’s innocent expression, Eve glared. “What did you do, Kat?”
“Nothing. I thought you liked him. Didn’t you say he’s the only one you can tolerate touching?”
“Yes. So?”
“So, I invited him.” Kat glared right back. “You're twenty-five today, and you're going to get laid. Get rid of the damn V. Tonight. Tomorrow. But it’s going to happen.” With a huff, she turned away. “Whoa. Look at him.”
“What? You’ve changed your mind about David and picked out a one-night stand for me now?” Eve taunted.
“Oh, shut up and just look, would you?”
Curious, since Kataya rarely paid heed to any guy except Jake, Eve glanced to where Kat nodded. Her attention instantly captured by a tall, pale-haired man heading for the club entrance He moved with a lazy, sensual saunter, reminding her of a predator stalking prey…for something far darker. Erotic. Her tummy dipped.
“Have you ever seen anything sexier? Bet he’s totally scrumptious from the front. He’s got the whole”—Kataya waved a finger in an attempt to draw what she meant—“dangerous, X-factor thing going for him.”
Eve didn't speak, didn't breathe, her focus riveted. His long burgundy leather coat flared out behind him as he disappeared into the dark, gaping maw of the club. He had to be a movie star or something because the bouncers didn't even stop him.
“Oh, no, get your eyes off him, Eve.” Kat grabbed her arm, dragging her attention away from the entrance and stepping in line to enter the club. “He’s great to drool over, but the badass will probably fry your brains the moment you touch him. That would make your first time a little toospectacular.”
“Sheesh, you’re a total buzz-kill, Kat,” Eve grumbled.
She snorted. “So, yes, David.”
Her cover charge settled, they headed in. Rock music threatened to rupture Eve’s eardrums. Overhead, strobe lights worked the crowd on the dance floor, turning their movements to frenzied jerks and shakes. The sharp odor of alcohol and heavy perfume crowded her nose as they cut through the masses. Kat’s slinky strides took on a bump and grind movement as she headed for a table near the dance floor which their friends occupied.
Eve grinned and gave them a quick wave.
Eric, lanky and dusky skinned, shot to his feet and hauled her into a hug that made the air swoosh out of her lungs. His hazel eyes darkened with concern. “Next time, no excuses. I’m picking you up. I know you're busy but I see you way too little these days.”
Yep, growing up with someone gave them rights to play big brother. But then he was…in a way. After all, his parents were her guardians.
Thankfully, Brenna saved her from near asphyxiation and slung her arm around Eve's waist in a quick hug. Her crystal-blue eyes sparkled, a startling contrast against her caramel skin and silky black hair. She brushed Eve’s cheek in a quick kiss and said in her ear, “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t stop Kataya from her nefarious plans for your induction into womanhood.”
With a deep sigh, she couldn’t suppress, Eve slid a glance to David—the guy who would make her a woman, if her friend had her way. As if having boobs and PMS didn’t already mark her as one, she thought with wry amusement.
David waited patiently to greet her. An artist like her, his collection of paintings would debut tomorrow at Eric’s gallery. A few inches taller than Eve’s own five-foot-six, he was slender with overgrown sandy-brown hair that had a tendency to flop into his eyes. Colorful dabs of paint marred his navy tee. Eve hid her smile, knowing he’d probably forgotten to change. But then David’s philosophy ran along the lines “as long as I'm not naked.” She doubted even that would bother him.
“Hello, David.”
