Quiver: Watched by Shadows (Quivering Shadows Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

did he expect me to go? I had no plan and so did what he asked. Taking a seat, I watched as he sauntered back towards the bar. He had a slight limp that he was trying hard to disguise, but regardless, he was as sexy as ever, and I took pleasure in watching him move. If I had to be honest, his battered state turned me on even more, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on him. I’d make him feel better, I mused.
    Across the hall, he made casual conversation with the men at the bar, his mouth creasing upwards as he joked and gestured nervously in my direction.
    He’d given me the scare of my life this evening; I had no idea how he knew where I was. Perhaps he had been watching me after all, like Terry and his shrill companion had said.
    Regardless, I needed answers. I could no longer bear to be kept in the dark. And I promised to grill him as soon as he returned.
    “Here you go,” he said handing me a glass of chilled white wine and sitting down next to me. I took a grateful gulp, trying to steady myself, but the heat from his body drifted over to me, and I could smell his salty vanilla scent. It made my head spin. I savoured it and breathed in more, wanting to get to closer.
    “You probably shouldn’t be drinking, but you look like you need it.”
    “What happened? And what the hell happened to your face?” I asked, about to reach for his cheek when I remembered the almighty slap I’d given him.
    “Never mind me. I’ve been watching you, that was a close call tonight, Kate. I’ve been trying to keep an eye on you when I could.”
    “But, that doesn’t explain—”
    “I know pretty much everything there is to know about you,” he cut in, “where you live, where you work, where you go, and who you do after work.” My mouth dropped open. Shame, embarrassment, excitement.
    “You saw that?” I asked quietly.
    He smirked. “Quite a little show. Though the curtains came down before it got good.”
    Without turning his head he took his eyes off me and quickly glanced towards the gathering at the bar. You could just make out through the white glare of the hooded table lights that they were talking about us, looking our way.
    Casually he extended his arm around my waist.
    “I really shouldn’t have brought you here,” he whispered into my ear, surprising me with a kiss on the cheek.
    My hands trembled as he pulled me against his chest.
    “Ok, but why? We’re not in danger are we?”
    He ignored my first question. “Potentially, I don’t know. But this was the last place I thought they’d look for me, and you.”
    “They did this to you didn’t they? Quadrello’s lot? I thought you were dead.”
    I caressed his hair and the top of his forehead. Skirting around his bruises, careful not to cause him any further pain.
    “Why do they want you dead?”
    “It’s a long story. It’d only put you in more danger…”
    I went quiet. I wanted to know more, but if I pushed him for additional details, I knew he’d clam up.
    “So, your name is Eric, right?” I asked, taking an alternative approach.
    “Yes, not that it’s a secret. You just never asked.”
    He sounded hurt, or maybe he was just teasing me. It was hard to tell, but I had a strong desire to make it up to him, either way.
    The details could wait till later. I’d had enough waiting around, being patient, I wanted to get down to the real nitty-gritty right now.

Chapter Six

    D istracted, I looked at the snooker table in front of us and imagined how the smooth green cloth would feel rubbing up against my naked skin. I’d climb up onto it, peel my clothes off in front of him and lie flat, opening my legs. I’d give him just a peak, readying myself so he could take his shot.
    “Kate, did you hear anything I just said?”
    “No, I was too busy imagining you coming inside me.”
    Did I say that out loud?
    He laughed, untangled himself from our embrace, stood and walked towards the corner, leaving an empty void beside me. A cue rack was mounted to