Engaging Evelyn (Blissful Bets #1)

by Alaska Angelini

  “I told you I would catch you.”

  The heat emanating from his skin was enough to warm her against the chill in the air. She still couldn’t catch her breath, which was ragged, at best. “Thank you,” she said, breathless. “You move really fast.”

  The spikes of her stilettos were on the very edge of the stair. Leaning forward, she had never felt so safe. It was very disturbing. For a moment, she was sure she was going to fall down the stairs. She still could if he let go.

  “Can you let me up now?” She groaned against his arm.

  “Of course, although I have to admit, I kind of like you helpless like this.”

  Evelyn was glad that she wasn’t facing him or she might have hit him. Plus, she would hate for him to drop her. Tumbling down the stairs in a short microfiber dress couldn’t end with a graceful landing.

  The stranger spun her around in his arms, holding her against him. Without too much strength, Evelyn moved away and stepped down one step.

  “So, are you going to tell me where you’re going tonight? I think I deserve that, with saving your life and all.”

  “No, I’m sorry. I don’t think that would be a good idea. Plus, I have plans for afterward so…” Evelyn let her voice trail off in hope that he would catch the hint that she already had plans with someone else. Maybe he would give up and leave her alone.

  “Is that right? Well, hmm. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at seven, then. I hope you have fun tonight.”

  Once again, he had managed to shock her. There was not going to be a dinner date tomorrow! Dumbfounded, she watched him walk back up the stairs and never look back. The wind raced up her legs, which caused a chill to go down her spine while she thought about what had just happened.

  She wasn’t sure how long he had been out of view. It seemed she was lost in her thoughts, once again. What part of her rejection hadn’t he understood? She wasn’t meeting him for dinner, damn it!

  As fast as her stilettos would carry her, Evelyn raced to her car. The parking lot was dimly lit, but the light didn’t penetrate the dark shadows that lurked in the pools of darkness between the distanced light poles.

  Scanning the shadows while she made her way through the deserted lot, she searched, hesitantly. There was a feeling she couldn’t shake of being watched. It caused chills to race down her spine. Without wasting any more time, she climbed in her car, locking the doors behind her. The cold leather bit into the back of her legs, making her teeth chatter.

  Melissa had been notified earlier not to pick her up. Evelyn assumed that she knew she had plans for afterward, but Melissa didn’t question her, which she was thankful for. Without lying to her, which Evelyn didn’t feel good about, she wouldn’t have known what to tell her.

  The engine roared to life, vibrating her whole body with the purr of the GT’s exhaust system. The heater came to life, giving her time to warm up before she drove the thirty minutes to Corpus Christi. The girls always met up at the Martini Bar and sometimes club-hopped until closing time at two in the morning. Just the thought of letting loose and having fun eased her tension.

  Evelyn drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway that led to Corpus and let her mind play over the two new men in her life, for today. One, she didn’t even know the stranger’s name. He was, well…odd for one, and yet, he was gorgeous. There was no denying that. But something about him just didn’t sit right with her. It had to be his eyes. They intimidated her. Evelyn had never seen anyone with that color eyes before.

  Bill was great to have sex with. As for his personality, well, who knew? She didn’t know the first thing about the guy besides him mumbling something about a fishing tournament he was in town for. Those things only lasted for what, a few days? Did that mean he was leaving soon?

  She’d have to ask when she stopped by his room later, if she stopped by. Evelyn doubted that he would care since he left her the key to begin with. But if he was indeed leaving so soon, then how was he going to become her boy toy? Damn, that would pose a problem.

  She jumped the Mustang to ninety on the deserted highway. Nervously, Evelyn looked at the clock, which read ten-thirty. She was already late and still had a good fifteen minutes before she got to the bar. Glancing over at the black scenery surrounding her, she couldn’t help but think about how it seemed to be almost closing in on her. A heavy feeling settled in her chest. The minutes rolled by while she fought to breathe.

  The sound of the phone ringing without a song playing for a ringtone made her want to groan. The number was private. The thought crossed her mind whether to answer it. It could be a prospective client, but with it being so late at night, she doubted it.

  “Hello?”

  “Evelyn, this is Sarah. Where are you? We’ve been waiting for ten minutes. You’re usually one of the first ones here.”

  “I’m a few minutes out. Whose phone are you on? It’s a private number.” Sarah’s rich laughter echoed. “I have no idea, but he’s hot.”

  “All right, give me a few minutes. I’m coming up to S.P.I.D.” The term was the abbreviation for South Padre Island Drive. It was so much easier than saying the whole damn thing.

  The deserted highway turned into a cluster-fuck. It seemed everyone was going out tonight. All three lanes on each side were jam-packed with cars.

  After weaving out of the endless traffic—safely, of course—Evelyn managed to exit and get on Everhart Street. The traffic wasn’t any better there, but after what felt like endless minutes, she managed to find a place to park in the crowded lot.

  The large bar was crammed with people. Loud music pumped through her body while she maneuvered around the large crowds. Working her way to their regular booth, she almost got a beer spilled on her by a stumbling blonde.

  “Evelyn!”

  Julie ran up to her and almost knocked her down. The smell of Jack Daniel’s and Coke on her breath was enough to take Evelyn’s breath away. Jesus, she prayed that her friend wasn’t already wasted.

  “Ev, there’s someone I want you to meet,” Julie said, pulling Evelyn a few feet away. “Paul, this is Evelyn.”

  She gestured with her hand to a large, toned blond. The moment Evelyn looked into his eyes she gasped. They were the same golden color as the man who was staying two doors down.

  For a color so odd, seeing two different people with the same uniqueness in the same day was a little shocking, to say the least.

  “Ev, this is Paul,” she said, raising her eyebrows.

  The movement caught Evelyn’s attention, and she watched as Julie’s finger rose to her and in slow motion pointed toward Paul. It was their initial signal.

  A wicked grin crossed Evelyn’s face. This was what she needed to get her mind off the growing anxieties. Seductively, she looked back toward Paul and put on her most dazzling smile. Well, if she couldn’t have one of them with golden eyes, she might as well have the other. Paul was safe. The stranger wasn’t. At least Paul wasn’t staying practically next door. And, as attractive as he was, he didn’t have that weird pull to her.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Paul.”

  Evelyn shook his hand while he smiled back down at her. His hand was warm to the touch, almost too warm. It reminded her of the stranger next door. Heat rushed through her at just the thought of him. What was so special about him that her mind couldn’t push him out no matter how hard she tried?

  Paul held her hand for a few seconds longer than etiquette required, which was all right with her, but he broke the connection as soon as her mind acknowledged the thought. She took a step back, right into a brick wall. The abruptness of the stop had her spinning around and looking right into another pair of golden eyes.

  “Paul, I see you’ve met my neighbor. This is the one I was telling you about earlier.” “Evelyn’s your neighbor, really?” Paul asked, raising his eyebrows, as if they shared a secret she didn’t know about.

  This wasn’t happening. She looked back and forth between the two men, so different, yet so alike. By
the color of their eyes and their build, they could have passed for relatives. Both of them had to be at least a few inches over six feet. But somehow, she didn’t think they were related.

  “Yes, she really is,” he said, cutting his eyes toward Paul. “So, Evelyn is it? Since we were never properly introduced, I’m Brandon,” her stranger said, grinning.

  He held out his hand and Evelyn paused in taking it. Against her better judgment, she placed her hand into his and squeezed it a bit harder than she probably should have. His laugh had more than one head turning. The sound caused her body to react. Damn it!

  All of the girls looked over, and their eyes froze on Brandon. Evelyn silently laughed to herself. This stranger was becoming a quick pain in her ass. An idea popped into her head. She could bet one of the girls to take care of him. Maybe then he would get off her back.

  Evelyn raised her finger and stopped. For the life of her, she couldn’t point to anyone in particular, and she wasn’t sure why. Perplexed, her brain couldn’t interpret what to do.

  Evelyn felt puzzled. Her lips parted while she looked toward the girls. They were just as confounded as she was. What in the hell was wrong with her? Still, she was standing there with her finger pointing halfway in the air.

  “Will you gentlemen please excuse us ladies? We’ll be back shortly.”

  Melissa’s voice penetrated through Evelyn’s stupor, but she still remained frozen. Hands grabbed both sides of her arms. Hazy, she could feel herself moving, yet it felt more like she was floating across the room.

  The door flung open, thanks to Sarah’s frantic shove. “All right, what in the hell is going on with you, Evelyn? You’ve been acting weird all day.” Agitated, she flung her blond hair over her shoulder.

  “Are you not feeling well,” Melissa asked, rubbing Evelyn’s arm.

  Relief filled Evelyn at Julie’s silence. From their conversation on the phone earlier, Evelyn had no doubt she knew exactly what was going on. “I’m fine. Just surprised, that’s all. I wasn’t expecting to see my new neighbor here.”

  “You mean that hunk is your neighbor? Holy shit! You lucky bitch. No wonder you changed your mind about placing a bet. You’ve decided you want him yourself. I don’t blame you at all,” Sarah said, fixing her hair in front of the mirror.

  “No, you’ve got it all wrong. You see, he’s more of a nuisance than anything. He set up a date for us at seven tomorrow, even though I told him no. He doesn’t give up. I’ve made it as clear as I possibly can. If any of you are interested, have at it.”

  Even as she said the words, Evelyn’s throat threatened to close. Whatever was happening to her, it had to stop, soon. She didn’t even know this guy. There was no reason for her body or mind to be betraying her like this. He was good-looking, so what. So were all the guys she bet on.

  “If you say he’s free, then I’m all over him.” Sarah looked over and smiled at her.

  Evelyn tried to give her the most genuine smile she could but failed horribly. It felt more pained than anything.

  “Ev, are you sure you’re all right?” Melissa asked, concerned. “I’m fine, really. Say, don’t you ladies owe me some drinks?”

  Cheers echoed off the restroom walls, and a real smile started to appear. No more self- pity. Evelyn had had a plan when she came here, and that was to have a good time. It was time she stuck with it.

  “That’s my girl,” Julie said, pulling her out of the restroom.

  Chapter 5

  They sat back at their booth. Brandon and Paul were nowhere to be seen. Evelyn thanked her lucky stars and downed her first apple martini. Closing her eyes, she basked in the flavor of her favorite drink.

  “We should go to the hot tub. It’s perfect weather, plus I bet we can get really naughty with whoever we decide to take,” Melissa said, looking around the crowded bar.

  “Sorry, everyone, but I have a bet and I fully intend not to take him anywhere near the resort.” Evelyn searched through the groups of people for Paul. So what if he knew Brandon. A bet was a bet. Bill would just have to wait until tomorrow.

  “He’s definitely scrumptious,” Julie said, downing her drink.

  The laughter floated around the table as hot guys walked past. Before they knew it, everyone had a bet placed for tonight. Evelyn had to have been on her fourth apple martini when Paul and Brandon showed back up. She was laughing so hard that she almost didn’t notice. It had to have been the laughing, or the fact that she was completely bombed. Drinking wasn’t something Evelyn was very good at.

  “How about a dance,” Paul asked, reaching for her hand.

  Evelyn stood, still steady enough to hide how drunk she was, and laced her fingers through his. The warmth emanating from Paul had diminished considerably since the last time her hand was in his. They walked to the dance floor, and Evelyn, picking right up on the rhythm of the music, swayed her hips to the hypnotic sound.

  The feel of Paul’s firm body against the softness of hers had Evelyn closing her eyes, but all she could imagine was Brandon against her. Thick arms enfolded her stomach and brought her closer against him. His hard cock pressed against her lower back, and she felt the length grow with every sway of her hips.

  “Let’s leave, just you and me,” Paul breathed against her ear.

  Evelyn turned, not breaking the rhythm of her hips. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him closer. Paul leaned down, bringing his arm tightly around her back and pulling her against him as he bent to whisper in her ear.

  “I want you. I want to taste every inch of your body. Leave with me.”

  Evelyn bit her lip, feeling her body tighten in response to his words. “Maybe I will. We’ll have to see. I’m not done yet with my friends. I plan to stay and get drunker still, and then if you still want to leave, we’ll leave.”

  Paul crushed his lips to hers, engulfing her mouth with the taste of peppermint the moment his tongue slid inside. She moaned at his taste and tightened her arms around his neck. Brandon flashed behind her closed lids and she nearly gasped at the unexpected vision. At the realization of what she was doing so plainly on the dance floor, she jerked back.

  “Come, let’s go and sit with our friends,” she said, tugging him to leave. He groaned, bringing her back against him.

  “All right, we’ll do drinks and have fun, but then I will taste you.” Shivers raced down her body at his words.

  * * * *

  Brandon sat at the booth watching his friend and Evelyn. The smile that radiated off her face, followed by that kiss, had him clutching his fists together.

  Paul wasn’t someone he wanted around her. Yes, he was his friend, but Brandon had a job to do, and Evelyn was his job. He had been asked by a very good friend of his to take care of her. Not to hurt her physically, but more, emotionally.

  It seemed that she took her bets very seriously, and when his friend wanted to see her again, she denied him. Taylor was never denied, and for some reason, he couldn’t hypnotize her, which alone had intrigued Brandon. What human could not be swayed by a vampire’s gaze? It was unheard of. The second time should have been easier.

  From the flashes he had gathered the moment Evelyn had looked into his eyes, he knew that she harbored a deep hurt. His job was going to be easier than he thought.

  Multiple scenes played in his head of her crying on several occasions. One in particular was of her in a wedding dress, sitting in what looked to be a bedroom. She had been clutching a bottle of liquor, burning pictures in a trash can that could have burnt the house down.

  Hurt like she had been through was something Brandon never wanted her to feel again, but he had to focus on his job, and his job was to do exactly that. Paul didn’t, of course, know what she had been through or what Brandon had been asked to do. He didn’t have the same gift as Brandon, so he’d never know what was going on.

  As they approached, Evelyn was swaying a little against Paul’s side. Brandon stood from her former seat at the booth. It was time. Paul looked
at him, knew he was thinking something, and gave him a look of curiosity and confusion. Brandon would have to explain things later.

  * * * *

  Evelyn sat down, looked at her phone, and noticed how late it was getting. Paul wanted her to leave with him tonight. He was gorgeous, but something told her not to do it, for the first time, to reject a bet and go home. Should she? Why was she suddenly confused? Not two minutes ago, she was kissing him on the dance floor.

  Everyone at the table started laughing. Looking up, Evelyn didn’t see anything that was funny. She finished off the apple martini that had been waiting for her and decided for once to listen to the nagging inside her head.

  “I should be going,” she yelled across the table toward Sarah, who was sizing up Brandon and, never breaking her stare, just nodded her head like a puppet.

  “Where are you going?” Melissa asked, from next to Evelyn.

  “I’m not feeling well all of a sudden. I’ll call you tomorrow. Have fun tonight, okay?”

  Melissa pouted. “Do you need me to take you home? You’ve had a lot to drink. I don’t think it would be safe for you to drive.”

  “I’ll be fine. Fresh air will help.” Evelyn grabbed her purse and stood. Paul walked over to her. Her mind raced for what she was going to tell him. Why did she feel so guilty? It wasn’t like she was lying. The thought of leaving with him did make her stomach turn slightly.

  “We’re going to have to do a rain check. I’m not feeling so well.”

  Paul smiled at her tenderly. “I can take you home and get you tucked into bed. I promise to be a perfect gentleman.”

  “No thanks,” Brandon said, wrapping his arm around Evelyn’s shoulder. “I’ll do that. We’re neighbors after all. It’ll be easier for you that way, Paul, less driving. Plus, I’m ready to go home.”

  Paul narrowed his eyes, looking annoyed, but remained quiet.

  Sarah glanced over at Evelyn, her face close to panic. Confused, Evelyn didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want Brandon riding home with her. That was asking for trouble.