Dangerous Decisions (Obsidian Flame Book 3)
Page 14
“Here you go.” She placed the mug on the table.
This time, she managed not to flinch when he looked up.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked.
He continued to study her unblinking.
She turned to walk away.
“Yes.”
She froze.
“As a matter of fact, you can.” His voice rolled over her like a slow-moving thunderstorm, offering all kinds of dark secrets and salacious promises.
She pivoted toward him.
“A moment of your time?” He waved his hand, palm up, at the bench across from him.
Raven hesitated. She didn’t need to look over her shoulder to know they were alone. Even Mr. Grumpy Pants from table ten had left. At least Mike was in the kitchen.
Right. Like her pimple-faced brother, who weighed maybe a buck fifty soaking wet, would stop the barely contained hurricane in front of her.
“Uh…”
He raised a brow and his gaze briefly swept the empty diner behind her. His kissable lips twisted into another grin. “Unless you’re busy?”
Ass.
She pursed her lips and crossed her arms. Her cheap blouse pulled at her shoulders. She took a deep breath and instantly regretted it. This close, his scent cut through the grimy stench unique to Dan’s Diner and wound around her. He smelled like a mysterious forest, laden with magic, before the sun slipped away and the shadows took over, when light started to play tricks on the mind and made up monsters from errant branches.
Raven shivered.
“Will you sit with me?” Something in his chiselled face dared her to object.
She slipped into the booth. Her polyester pants slid smoothly along the synthetic leather seat. “If you’re looking to hook up, you’re looking in the wrong place.”
His eyebrows shot up.
Why did she say that? Heat flooded her cheeks. Grandma Lu would be proud, but from his amused expression, not quite the right thing to say.
“You mistake me.” His gaze sparkled with silent laughter. “I’m not looking to hook up. I’m looking for your brother.”
Raven leaned back. “My brother?”
“Yes.”
“You want to see Mike? Why didn’t you say so earlier? He’s in the kitchen.” Raven scooted to the end of the booth. “Go bother him.”
The sparkle and interest drained from his face. “I’m not looking for Mike.”
And then she knew without any uncertainty. Even if she had more than two brothers, she’d know exactly who this man sought. She slumped in the booth. Just as she knew this wasn’t a social call. Dread swamped her, coating her skin. The twisted emotion sank into her flesh. Her heart slowed and beat heavy. Her skin prickled.
This dark fae wanted her brother, which meant one thing.
He was in trouble.
As if the stranger sensed her inner dread, he nodded. “I’m looking for Bear.”
About the Author
J. C. McKenzie is a book-loving, gumboot-wearing, unapologetic science geek. She's the author of the Carus Series, an urban fantasy five-book saga published by the Wild Rose Press. Born and raised on the West Coast, J. C. sets the majority of her books in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance with sassy heroines and brutish, alpha-type men.
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