‘Here we go guys, food will be up shortly,’ Ellie places our drinks on the table, Nate holds my stare, but I drag mine away from him and up to his sister.
‘Thanks,’ I smile.
‘You doing okay, honey?’ She soothes, gently.
‘Yeah,’ I nod.
‘Tonight, dress up. My girls wanna meet you. Thursday night, dresses and heels night,’ she announces.
‘I’m not sure, Ellie,’ I begin, ‘I’m not really in the mood.’
‘Sophie Parker, you promised, and a deals a deal,’ she reprimands me. ‘Throw out all of that worry and upset from within your head and allow yourself some down time.’ She demands. ‘Pick it all back up in the morning, trust me it will still be there,’ she instructs. ‘Seven!’
‘I’ll pop by,’ I sigh, she wasn’t going to let it go, and she was the only friend I currently had, so it was best not to get on the bad side of her.
She grins, ‘pop by, what the fuck does that mean?’ She giggles, as she returns to the counter.
I smile, despite myself and chance a glance at Nate, whose shoulders are shaking with silent laughter.
‘You don’t use, pop by?’ I ask him.
‘Fuck no, what the hell is pop other than a drink kids drink?’ he smiles at full beam, which exposes his dimple to its full effect and I receive a hard slam deep in my gut that instantly deprives my lungs of oxygen. The man is fucking perfection.
I roll my eyes at him and lecture myself again that I am vulnerable and my emotions heightened, which would explain my uncharacteristic craving to have this man close to me. Maybe because I’m so far away from home, maybe I am unsettled in such an unfamiliar environment, but something draws me to him.
When the plate arrived, it was mammoth. Thinly sliced hot turkey was served on, what Nate informs me was Texas toast with mashed potatoes, topped with homemade turkey gravy.
‘Jesus!’ I gasp, looking up in despair at Ellie. ‘I can’t eat all this Ellie!’
‘Eat what you can, you’ve eaten half of a meal since arriving two days ago,’ she comments.
‘How do you know that?’ I scoff.
‘I thought we had been over the whole, Krystal knows everything about everyone,’ she teases as she flicks her hair.
‘Your sister’s bossy,’ I announce to Nate, who is observing the altercation with some amusement.
‘Babe, that isn’t something I’m alien to, believe me, now dig in,’ he points his fork to the pile of food, ‘she tells Ma you not eating, you’re fucked!’
I manage half of my food before I sit back and rub my flat stomach, ‘how do you keep your physique so trim eating like this?’ I glance at Nate’s empty plate.
‘You think I’m trim, London,’ he purrs, arrogantly. ‘I’m flattered.’
‘Why are you always looking for a compliment from me?’ I joke.
‘Because you don’t offer them up willingly,’ he proclaims. ‘It’s a bruise to my ego that you look through me,’ he continues with a tilt of his lips.
‘Somehow I don’t think you have a problem with ego,’ I laugh, sarcastically.
He grins, ‘that’s a good sound, London,’ I immediately cease laughing and observe the sensation of his mouth curving against his even teeth.
After a heated debate about paying the bill, Nate wins claiming that he would put it on expenses through the force.
‘I can pay,’ I argue, ‘as a thank you for accompanying me today.’
‘I’m paid to do a job, I am doing it,’ he declares.
I feel suddenly stupid for thinking that Nate was here for any other reason that he wanted to be. Of course, this is what he is paid to do. He is from the Denver Homicide unit; they are employing him to be here and gather as much information as possible to, hopefully, solve the mystery of Oliver’s murder.
I lower my gaze, ‘Oh, of course. I’m sorry I took up so much of your time, Detective Austin. You could have just dropped me back to the hotel.’ I notify him, tersely. ‘I am quite capable of feeding myself.’
‘Sophie!’ he calls, I clear my face of emotion and lift an eyebrow in question. ‘Remember that talk we had about people only doing what they wanted to do?’
I nod.
‘That goes double for me, I only ever do what I want to do, you hear?’ His voice is sharp.
I nod.
‘I’ll drop you off at the hotel,’ he stands and waits patiently while I gather my handbag.
‘Delicious, El’s,’ Nate calls to his sister.
‘Later, Sophie!’ She calls from the kitchen.
‘Later!’ I call as we leave the diner.
‘Actually, Detective,’ I begin.
‘Jesus Fuck!’ he growls. ‘Nate!’ he calls, ‘the name is Nate!’
‘Okay, bloody hell, you need to calm down!’ I growl back. He grins. ‘You are like Jekyll and Hyde!’ I gasp, ‘what are you grinning at now?’
‘Say that again,’ he steps forward and gazes down with a smile set on his lips.
‘Say what again?’ I have no idea what on earth he is talking about, what I do know he is too close for comfort. My body is purring at his proximity, as his alluring scent surrounds me.
‘What you just said,’ he prompts me, quietly.
‘You need to calm down bit?’ I question, lightly. ‘Nate,’ I sigh, ‘I haven’t the foggiest idea what you are chatting about?’ I put my hand on my hip and scowl at him.
‘At last,’ he rolls his eyes to the heavens, ‘she calls me by my name.’
‘You are weird,’ I turn away, ‘I was just about to say, before I was rudely interrupted, that I don’t need a ride back to Marnie’s. I am going to have a wander around. I can walk back.’
‘You know how far it is? How about I drop you to pick up your Jeep?’ He suggests.
I wave him away, ‘no, I need to walk off all this food,’ I put a hand to my stomach.
‘Look fit enough to me,’ he purrs, suggestively.
‘Thank you for your escort, Detective Austin,’ I ignore the heat in his eyes and turn in the direction of Ollie’s.
********
Chapter Four
Nate was right; the walk back was long and all uphill. I would class myself as incredibly fit taking yoga sessions twice a week as well as usually running four times a week. I struggled and had to stop at various points along the way to recharge my batteries and take in the breath-taking views. I did remember to grab a bottle of water on the way, thankfully, but I was exhausted by the time I finally reached the hotel.
I had wandered around the pretty streets, familiarizing myself with the layout of the many shops. A couple of people stopped me and conveyed their condolences on the loss of Oliver, which had a healing effect, and somehow made me feel a little closer to my brother. Speaking to the people that he conversed with on a daily basis, made me feel as if I knew him a little better.
A few of those people asked after Simon, but did it with a shake of their head, as if they knew something rather unsavoury about his character. But, no one would elaborate. I made a mental note to ask Nate about it the next time I saw him.
Moving directly to my room, I kick off my shoes and flop tiredly on the bed.
A banging sound wakes me. I sit bolt upright, confused by my surroundings, blinking confusedly around me, totally disorientated.
‘I know you are in there, Sophie!’ That sounded like Ellie.
‘Just a minute!’ I sit on the edge of the bed for a moment to gather my wits, before standing to open the door.
‘I knew if I didn’t personally come and fetch you, you would bail,’ she marches in, dolled up to the nines, balancing on heels almost the length of her feet.
Even in my state of grogginess, I could see how stunning Ellie Austin truly was, her dark hair was puffed out huge, her make-up immaculate, her figure, tiny! All wrapped up in a sky-blue shift dress that barely covered the essentials.
‘Wow!’ I blink over at her, my hand still on the door. ‘You look hot!’
/> ‘Eyes off, honey, I’m taken, not that I couldn’t be swayed by you if I was that way inclined.’ Her eyes move around my hotel room, ‘where’s the wardrobe?’
I point, and she makes a mad dash to open it and inspect its content.
‘Shower!’ she points to the bathroom.
‘I didn’t pack to socialise, Ellie,’ I stand, immobile as she pushes the hangers one way then the other.
‘You have some fine clothes, girl,’ she states, ‘but none of this is going to suffice.’ She lifts her phone and calls into it. ‘Need something appropriate for my girl who’s got legs that go all the way up to heaven, tits that every man desires.’
‘No, Ellie,’ I call. She puts a finger up to halt me. Unusually for me, I comply.
‘Bring a couple. I’m at Ma’s, Room seventeen,’ she dips her head to the bottom of the wardrobe where my shoes are kept, ‘no, she’s good on the shoe front.’ Disconnecting the call, she glances over at me, ‘Sophie, shower girl!’
‘Jesus Fuck!’ I curse, as I enter the bathroom.
‘You sound like Nate,’ I hear her giggle.
Walking into the bar almost an hour later, I have to say I feel exhilarated. I had promised to do as Ellie suggested, and push all my grief and anxieties to the back of my mind for one night only. I dress in one of Beth’s, who’s Ellie’s best friend, little black dresses that fit where it touches. It is similar to the one hanging in my wardrobe at home, except shorter. Whether it’s the size differences in the U.S or whether she has had it altered as such, it leaves very little to the imagination. My legs are good, without sounding egotistical, I know this. I am told this by every guy I have dated, plus the ones that want to. I put it down to the fact I am on my legs all day long in the salon. My legs are strong, shapely and long.
I had styled my hair so that the long front section quaffed at my forehead, before applying my going out make-up, which involved a lot of liquid liner plus a layer of red lipstick.
When I confided to the girls that I was a hairdresser and beautician by trade, they had squealed their delight before begging me to fix their already impeccable make-up. They then made me promise I would style their hair at a later date, preferably at a time when they weren’t in a hurry to get to the bar before all the tables went.
The bar was surprisingly trendy for a small town, wooden floors with tall, black gloss café-type round tables next to round stools, which sat tucked beneath. Everyone appeared to have dressed for the occasion of it being a Thursday night, the women in short skirts or dresses, the men in collared shirts teamed with their customary denim jeans. Thursday nights in Krystal are evidently a time to party.
As soon as we entered, it seemed the entire room turned to observe us. Feeling slightly self-conscious my eyes were immediately drawn to a group of girls, who were busy waving and screeching to us from across the floor.
Ignoring the open glances of the residence of Krystal, I follow Ellie as she weaved her way through the length of the bar until we face four exquisitely pampered, extremely beautiful women.
Ellie introduces me to her friends, who all appear to be friendly and welcoming towards me, despite the fact I am a virtual stranger. After a small while, I permit myself to relax and quickly join in the various girlie discussions, with the aid of the alcohol that seems to be flowing freely. Someone orders a bottle of Tequila and the fun and the Karaoke begins.
It isn’t until nine o’clock that I notice the dirty blonde, plus Nate enter the noisy bar. Both of the men hold an aura about them, the kind that alerts you to their presence the moment they hit a room. Women turn their heads in admiration and men chin lift in greeting as they head straight to the bar to order their drinks, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil around them. My eyes automatically move to Nate to absorb his swagger. He has a way of moving that suggests total body confidence. Mind you he has every right to be comfortable in his body; it’s stunning.
‘Is that your boyfriend?’ I ask Ellie as my gaze moves to Nate’s companion.
‘Yeah,’ she grins proudly, ‘that’s my Eli, isn’t he adorable?’ She catches his eye and finger waves over to him. He provides her a wink, and I watch her almost melt. ‘He’s Nate’s ex-partner, before he moved to Denver,’ she elaborates, ‘we had murders when we first got together, had to keep it from Nate, for a while.’ She turns and rolls her eyes to the ceiling. ‘He can be overpowering with those he loves,’ she confesses.
‘Was he mad?’ I query.
She nods vigorously, as if mad doesn’t cover what he was, ‘but, as soon as he got we were serious about each other, things calmed down some. Nearly wrecked their friendship though,’ she smiles, regretfully.
I nod in understanding as I return my gaze to the two men that emitted an air of authority as they stood to lean on the long bar as they assess the room.
Nate’s eyes finally hit mine, and I watch as he frowns his eyes stroking lazily down the length of my body, leaving me sucking in a calming breath.
‘He seems to have a soft spot for you,’ Ellie confides, humour in her tone.
‘No,’ I scoff. ‘I am just a job to him, apparently,’ I wave her suggestions away and ignore the clenching of my gut at the possibility.
‘Nate does what Nate wants,’ Ellie smiles, ‘always has, and I think Nate wants a piece of you,’ she whispers.
I watch as a small, blonde woman with big hair and wide blue eyes stops in front of Nate and places her hand possessively on his chest. She gazes up flirtingly as she converses with him. He smiles down towards her, flashing her his dimple, in reply. Jealousy consumes me, they are evident familiar with each other, close even. A fist clenches in my gut and I force myself to look away.
‘She doesn’t mean anything to him,’ Ellie murmurs, quietly, her eyes following my gaze.
I shrug, ‘It's nothing to do with me,’ but she provides me an amused glare, her head tilted to one side, that suggests she thinks otherwise. I can’t stop myself from asking, ‘he seeing her?’
‘On and off,’ she confides. ‘Nate doesn’t do serious relationships,’ she continues, ‘Chelle knows the score, she would rather a particle of my brother than nothing. He’s up front with the women in his life,’ Ellie insists. ‘No one has sole ownership of him,’ this information doesn’t please Ellie, who evidently thinks the world of her brother.
So, it seems there are a lot of women in his life. Nate Austin is a player, no surprises there.
As if he senses my appraisal, he glances up from the blonde and his eyes lock with mine. I immediately avert my gaze and turn my back on the bar area. I’m certainly not willing to become one of his conquests.
Ellie and I are standing on the edge of the stage, sometime later, as we wait for Beth and Louise to begin their version of Adele’s, Someone Like You, when I sense him. Turning to the awareness, I look directly into his frown.
‘Hi!’ I smile, hesitantly.
‘Jesus fuck, London. Where’s the rest of your clothes?’ He growls low in his throat.
‘What?’ I laugh, with the incredulity of his statement, ‘what are you, my keeper?’ I scoff.
His gaze holds mine for a beat longer before it moves accusingly to Ellie. ‘What the hell you doing, El, playing dress up?’ He interrogates his sister.
‘Actually, I think Sophie looks stunning,’ she grins, not in the least affected by her brother’s obvious irritation, ‘don’t you think she looks amazing, Nate?’ She grins, he fails to respond.
The dirty blonde appears at his side, distracting the conversation. His eyes move directly to Ellie.
‘Hey beautiful,’ he pulls her in and places a long, hard kiss on her mouth.
‘Hey baby,’ she purrs up. ‘Hey, meet Sophie,’ she turns and waves a hand between us. ‘This is my Eli,’ she grins, goofily.
I hold out my hand, and Eli grasps it firmly. ‘Hey Sophie, I’ve heard a lot about you,’ but his telling gaze wanders not to Ellie, but to Nate, who continues to stare me down. ‘I’m sorry about your broth
er,’ he adds, respectfully.
‘Thank you, Eli,’ I tilt my head and smile gently before returning my eyes to Nate, ‘that look doesn’t intimidate me, detective. It wouldn’t scare a bee,’ I repeat his words of earlier today. I watch as the ice melts and his eyes soften with humour.
‘You’re a fucking nut!’ he exhales a held breath.
‘Yeah well, you’re a weirdo,’ I turn away as the music starts and the girls prepare for their big tune.
‘This should be fun,’ Ellie giggles, ‘you ever heard anyone that can take on Adele?’
‘Absolutely not!’ I agree, ‘I saw her at Wembley, she was bloody great!’
The evening is a complete success. For the duration of my five-hour stay, I completely push the recent dramas of the past weeks behind me and drown, along with the other girls, in Tequila and beer. I point blank refused to join in the Karaoke, not being a Karaoke kind of girl, but enjoyed watching it, immensely. Eli and Nate naturally joined the group, and no one seemed to take any notice. I took this as confirmation that it was a regular occurrence.
I observed as one of Ellie’s friends, a girl called Sara, tried to gain Nate’s attention, but he politely shut down her continual efforts to engage him in conversation. He wasn’t rude, but it was plain, as a woman, he wasn’t interested. I ignored the fluttering in my abdomen at this information; I am not having a fling with Nathan Austin, I remind myself.
When I visit the bathroom, or restroom as it’s called in America, I am stopped by a good-looking guy sat at the bar. He was blonde and blue-eyed, not Nate blue-eyed, but blue-eyed and stocky built as if he lifted weights on a regular basis. As it transpired, he, in fact, owned the local gym, and his name was Steve Goodman. He invited me for a drink at the bar, but I politely declined expressing I was with a crowd and should return to them. I shook his hand, which he grasped a little longer than necessary, as he passed on his sympathies for my loss.
When I turn to return to the group, Nate’s eyes followed me across the length of the floor. Again, they lacked the warmth that he usually provided me with his stare.
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