Crimson Groves Read Online Free Page A

Prince Charming. I’d also never been interested in anyone I met at a bar. That was a rule I’d had long before my relationship with John, and it bounced straight back at me once he got caught making Mandy a friend with “benefits”.
    “Abby sounds like a nickname. Is that true?” He sipped his drink, glossy, moist lips brushing against the glass.
    I nodded up and down. “Yeah. My real name is Abigail but I don’t really like it all that much, so I go by ‘Abby’. I was named after my grandma, but she passed away shortly after I was born.” I started twisting rings with my hair.
    “Abigail it is then. Of course if that is okay with you?”
    I nodded without thinking. Yes, of course, that name bothered me but it was okay if he called me it. What was I doing?
    He gave a graceful shrug, smile widening across his face. “You are absolutely beautiful, if I may be so blunt, and I would much enjoy learning more about you. It appears slower than usual tonight. I thought this would be a good time for me to come in and meet you.”
    Is this guy for real? Should I totally freak out right now? Or is this the most romantic thing that has ever happened to me? I couldn’t shake the amazing vibes I was getting from him. I could feel my pulse hammering away in my head. His eyes seemed to get deeper, bottomless. I couldn’t look away. They sucked me inside. All of a sudden I was paralyzed, frozen, couldn’t move, couldn’t think anymore. I was his, mesmerized, captivated. He was in full control and I wanted him to have it.
    I leaned in closer—because that’s what he wanted. My hair swept across his cheek. His neck tensed. My mouth hovered near his ear. “Have you been watching me?” I whispered. “Why wouldn’t you come inside before now to meet me?” I lifted my head back up, just enough to find his eyes again.
    He half laughed. “Would you believe me if I told you I was afraid to approach you? Afraid you would not receive me the way you are this evening?”
    “Well, I’m very happy you made it in tonight.” I said it, I meant it, but I did not recognize my own voice. I knew I should see a red flag and run for my life. This perfect guy had been watching me, stalking me. Didn’t he have anything better to do? He was gorgeous and could probably be with any woman he wanted. Why me, an average girl that bartended for a living? How could that impress him? How could he think I was pretty enough to come in here and say that without even knowing me? He was either a total freak or this was love at first sight, which made me a total freak to even think that. “What else do you do, besides watch me?” I asked, smiling.
    “I work from home. My house is not very far from here. I like to go hunting. I am very good at it. I also enjoy long walks at night, preferably when there is no moon.”
    I took a deep breath; it was steady, didn’t tremble. “I don’t live that far from here either.” Didn’t know why I said that, but I did.
    “May I escort you home when you are finished here?”
    Without thinking, I nodded.
    We talked a little longer, smiling, laughing, and carrying on like we had known each other for years. I’m not really sure what we were saying. My mind felt empty, blank. A few other customers came in, pulling my attention away from Bronx. I was able to breathe again, like my head had lifted out of the water. My hazy state of mind sharpened, and I took down the new drink orders with a plastic smile.
    Once everyone was happy, fresh drinks in hand, I looked back. Bronx was gone. His glass was empty, except for a few remnant ice cubes, almost fully melted. My heart jumped up my throat. I swallowed hard but it wouldn’t go back down. My stomach tightened. I needed to be close to him again. Where had he gone? I couldn’t believe he’d just left without even saying goodbye. Was he coming back? He said he would walk me home! I was moody and edgy the rest of my shift. Thank God my customers still tipped twenty