Sitting across from the beautifully polished woman, Monty observed his dinner date. Rich brunette hair pulled sleekly into a chignon at the base of her long, slender neck. Her navy silk, pin-striped suit was set off to perfection with a light blue, lacy blouse and a strand of pearls. Her make-up was subtle, expertly applied.
She sat, carefully cutting her salad into small bites, ignoring the steak on his plate. Her conversation revolved around the cases she was currently working on since becoming a partner in the law firm her father owned.
Claire was the perfect date for Monty. He tended to date elegant, intelligent, cultured women. He was never envious of Bart and Blaise in the old days as they left Chuck’s Bar with at least one woman on each arm. One-night pickups were never his thing. He grinned thinking of Bart’s player days put to rest now that he had found Faith. Of course, that still left the other single Saints to close down the bar.
“Monty, are you listening?” Claire asked, her mouth forming a slight pout as she carefully laid her fork down.
“I’m sorry,” he admitted. “What were you saying?”
“I was telling you about the new office that is mine now that I’m a partner. The oldest partner is going to retire and instead of everyone rotating offices, I’ll move into his former space. It’s on the corner. Can you believe that I’ll already have a corner office? Of course, his décor is ancient, so I think I’ll hire a new interior designer. I’ve heard of Sabrina Taggart.”
At that, Monty’s concentration focused back on her. “She’s the fiancé of one of my co-workers. In fact, she’s also the cousin of another colleague.” He caught Claire’s expression of interest as she sipped her wine.
“Hmmm, that’s nice,” she responded. “Well, if she’s as good as they say, then I’ll have her redecorate. What style do you think would be appropriate?”
Monty, usually in tune with his dates, found his mind wandering once more. A group of women walked into the restaurant and made their way to the bar. He glanced over, their laughter making it hard to focus on what Claire was saying.
The five women were attractive, dressed for a night out, and appeared to be celebrating some occasion. Hearing one ask for a table, he was glad that they were moving on, not wanting to have his quiet dinner interrupted continually with loud conversation.
“Oh, here comes our straggler,” one of the women called to the bartender.
“Hey everyone,” a woman called out and as Monty looked toward the bar, his fork halted on its path to his mouth.
The sultry voice belonged to a stunning woman, also dressed for a night out on the town. The riot of color assaulted his senses, as well as captured his attention. She had just pulled off a bright purple coat, draping it across her arm. Her emerald green wrap dress showed off her considerable cleavage and small waist, before flaring out at hips that would make most men drop to their knees and weep. Black fuck-me heels completed her outfit. Her face was carefully made up, showcasing ocean blue eyes and shiny pink lips the color of bubblegum. But her hair held Monty’s full attention.
The silky blonde tresses were streaked with hot pink, purple, and teal colors. One colorful stripe of each color filtered through the yellow blonde length. Jesus, she looks like a cupcake!
He watched as she made her way to the group of women, greeting each one with a hug. Slapping her hand down on the polished bar she ordered a Lemon Drop. She looks like candy so what else would she drink? Mesmerized, he tried not to gawk as she leaned her hip against the bar waiting for her drink and continued to talk to her friends.
He turned his attention back to Claire, never the type of man to be with one woman but looking at others. Claire was still describing what her office should look like when the Cupcake laughed at something one of the others said. His head turned involuntarily as he watched her. She lifted her chin in laughter, causing the cascade of colors to fall down her back, rippling as she shook. Her voice was rich and his cock twitched.
The women, drinks in hand, turned to move to the back where a waiter showed them to their table. Bending down to fix the strap on her shoes, Cupcake caught Monty’s stare as she stood. For an instant, their gazes held, before she winked, smiled, and headed to the back with her friends.
Monty forced his cock to behave. What the fuck is wrong with me? She’s not even my type. Thinking about his type, he turned his full attention back to Claire. By now she had finished her salad with grilled chicken strips and still sipped on her first glass of wine.
“I agree with your mother that you should have gone into law,” she continued.
“I did,” he answered, noting the shrewd look in her eyes.
She cocked her head in question.
“Law enforcement.”
Waving away the waiter as he brought the dessert tray, she laughed before saying, “You’re being pointedly obtuse, Monty. Law enforcement is not the same and you know it.”
Her laugh sounded forced, not joyful. Her words, pointed, not encouraging. His gaze drifted over her shoulder to the table where Cupcake sat with her friends, thoroughly enjoying herself.
Looking back at Claire, he suddenly realized that she represented everything he thought he wanted in a woman. And was utterly boring. When was the last time I actually enjoyed a date? When he could not come up with an answer to his own question, he gave up, determined to escort Claire to her car after the dinner, no longer desiring to have it lead to anything else.
He stood and walked around to assist Claire from her seat when his eye caught Cupcake again. This time, she held his gaze with a small smile before he saw her shift her gaze to Claire and then quickly turn away.
She thinks I’m some slime who’s with one woman while scoping out others. As soon as the thought popped into his head, he realized that she would be right…at least this one time. Disgusted with himself, he helped Claire into her black woolen coat and walked to the front of the restaurant, determined to put an end to what turned out to be a very dissatisfying date.
*
Angel Cartwright had walked into the restaurant late, eagerly looking forward to meeting with some of her old sorority sisters. Hustling in from the cold, she draped her coat over her arm before moving toward the bar.
“Theresa! Betty!” she greeted the first two women she came to. Hugging the others as well, she turned and winked at the bartender, catching his eye. She ordered her drink, wanting to catch up with her friends, hoping he would not take long with the crowded bar. The wink worked and her cocktail was soon delivered.
“Thanks, Tommy,” she called out, blowing him a kiss.
“Anything for you, doll face,” the bartender answered back, his eyes dipping to her cleavage before his wolfish grin returned to her eyes.
Laughing, she took a sip of her Lemon Drop. The sweet-tangy drink leaving a slight burn on her throat was just what she wanted.
As her gaze moved across the restaurant, it landed on a couple at a nearby table. The woman, a carbon copy of any successful woman working in the area. Her clothes were immaculate, not much different from the outfits worn by a few of her friends. But it was the man that halted her perusing.
Dark hair, with a neatly trimmed beard. Hmmm, not many men in this establishment have facial hair, but damn, that’s hot! He had taken off his suit coat, leaving only his shirt to attempt to contain the muscles visible below. Not the type of woman to gawk after another woman’s date, she struggled to shift her gaze away. Why are all the interesting ones taken? And by a beautiful woman. Just my luck. Allowing her eyes to drop from the man to his date’s plate, she rolled her eyes. Yep, a beautiful woman eating just a salad in this place that serves the best cooked-to-perfection steaks and twice-baked potatoes that are to die for! Bet she skips the dessert tray also!
Jolted from her musings as her friends called for her to follow them to their table, she bent down to fix the loose strap on her killer heels, when she caught the handsome stranger’s eyes on her as well. Standing, she expected his gaze to move away, but i
t stayed on her.
Mesmerized, they stared, neither willing to drop the gaze. Laughing, she winked at him flirtatiously before walking to the table with her friends. What the hell did I just do? I never do that…well, never when a man is with another woman. Glancing down at her almost empty drink, she shook her head. Must be the exhaustion and the alcohol.
Determined to forget the man who had set her girlie parts tingling, she settled in with her sorority sisters for their monthly dinner.
“So, who’s seeing who? Who’s pregnant? And who’s getting a new job?”
“Wow, Theresa. Way to jump to the gossip!” Angel laughed.
“I’m nosy, so sue me,” Theresa retorted.
Betty, tossing her red curls, answered, “Well, I know the reason Cynthia isn’t here tonight is that she’s only two weeks away from delivering her second baby and her husband didn’t want her traveling.”
“Who can blame him after the trouble she had with her first,” Theresa replied. “I also know that Anne is looking for a new job. She hates her boss.”
“She should move to Charlestown or Richland,” Angel said. “I bet she could easily get a new job here.”
“How’s being your own boss, Marcia?” Betty asked.
“It’s not bad, but I still have to report to the corporate head,” she replied. Marcia’s father was Senator Creston and he had used his influence to land his daughter a job with a prestigious investment firm.
“Betty, you dating anyone special?”
“I just don’t feel like I have time right now. With my new brother in my life, I’m not looking too hard for a relationship until I figure out my own family.” Seeing the curious expressions from the other women, she added, “My brother always seems to need money and I’m not comfortable giving him more. He’s always hinting that he could use a loan.”
“What do your parents think?” Angel asked, digging into the steak on her plate.
“They know I’d loan him money if he needed it, but Bill always wants more than he can earn. He’s a pharmaceutical technician in a good pharmacy, so I can’t image he’s hurting for money.”
“Oh, God, this roast is to die for,” Marcia gushed. “Anyone want some?” Several forks immediately appeared as the women eagerly tried each other’s dishes.
Angel gazed around at her friends fondly. College graduation had been five years ago, but this core group of her sorority sisters remained close and met every month for dinner to catch up on their lives.
She purposefully sat with her back to the man who caught her eye when she was at the bar, but she was unable to resist a peek over her shoulder. He was looking at his date with what appeared to be a bored expression, but her overactive imagination was probably working overtime.
“Sally, is there anything new with Brian?” Caroline asked, tucking a flyaway blonde wisp of hair back behind her ear.
Sally’s face scrunched in anger. “Nope. He’s a dick. End of conversation about him. I won’t allow our dinner to be marred with his dickiness!”
“Dickiness? Is that a word?”
“If not, it is now!” The women laughed once more, knowing their friend was able to handle her angry ex-boyfriend.
“So, Cupcake Queen, how’s business?”
Turning back to her friends, Angel smiled widely. “It’s great. I’m thinking about expanding but, honestly, the idea of the business aspect of doing that scares the crap out of me.”
Marcia looked at her in speculation. “We need to talk,” she said, tapping her long fingernail on the table. “I can help you with that.”
“You’re already helping me with investments. What else is there?”
“Oh, honey, you concentrate on the delicious goodies you create and let me worry about the rest!”
Lifting their drinks, they toasted to new ventures and old friends.
Several minutes later as the women moaned over their desserts, causing the men nearby to stare at the orgasmic sounds emanating from their table, Angel turned her head once more. The handsome mystery man stood at his date’s chair, assisting her into her coat. Unable to tear her eyes away, she saw how tall he was. His date was leggy and willowy, but he still towered over her.
Licking her lips unconsciously, she perused him from head to toe, not finding a blemish anywhere. He certainly was not the only attractive man in the restaurant, and there were a few that gave off just as suave a vibe as this man. As her eyes moved back to his face, she startled as she saw him staring at her as well. Animal magnetism. That’s what it is! Like a panther stalking its prey, she felt his eyes boring straight into hers.
A small smile escaped before she glanced at his date. Jesus, what a slut I am—staring at a man who’s with another woman! She turned away once more, but cold slid over her as she missed his hot gaze.
Taking one more glance, she saw him escort his date out the door and into the night. Well, that lucky girl is probably going to get some good luvin’ tonight. Why that thought bothered her, she had no idea. But it did. The desire to be the one in his arms—if only for a night—was overwhelming.
*
Monty escorted Claire to her car, stopping at the door. He saw her eyes light up speculatively but, before she could ask, he saved her the embarrassment of a rejection. “It’s been lovely as always, Claire, but I’ll need to say goodnight now. I’ve got a long day ahead tomorrow and I’ll need to prepare for it by reading over case files,” he lied smoothly.
“Oh, I see,” she replied, irritation marring her features. “Perhaps next time.”
Kissing her cheek, he gave a non-committal response, “I hope so,” knowing he probably would not call her again. Why the fuck not? She’s my type. Isn’t she? Finding no easy answer to that question had him thinking of the colorful woman inside the restaurant.
After watching her drive away safely, he climbed into his SUV but sat in the parking lot. He did not wait long before the group of women left the restaurant. They giggled and hugged before breaking apart. He watched them all to the safety of their cars but knew he was lying to himself if he thought he was only doing his gentleman’s diligence.
His eyes stayed on the woman whose purple coat now hid the green dress and the delectable hips underneath. The parking lot lights illuminated the pink, purple, and teal stripes in her glistening blonde hair. Seeing her unlock and get into a hot pink VW bug, he shook his head. Totally not my type of woman. Is she?
Irritated that his night had been such a bust he headed home, but was unable to erase the vision of the enchanting Cupcake from his mind.
Chapter 3
One month later
Walking into the bar, Marcia Creston slid onto the padded barstool, her confidence shining as she took a long, purposeful gaze around. Unabashedly checking out the single men, she turned back to the bartender. Not recognizing him from her previous visits to Eclipse, she ordered her drink.
Her phone buzzed and, glancing at her messages, she saw Angel was not going to be able to make it for drinks. Giving an inward shrug, she texted a regretful acknowledgment. It did not take long for a shadow to pass on her left side, a man’s arm setting his drink onto the bar next to hers. She waited the requisite minute, to make him wonder, and then twisted her head to see if she were interested. Hmmm, not bad.
Her phone buzzed again and she texted Angel to let her know that she was being replaced by the gentleman who now sparked her interest. With a grin, she dropped her phone into her purse and turned her attention to the man who was now leaning toward her.
This could be a very interesting night.
*
Monty pulled up to Chad’s house and watched as his large, dark-haired friend and co-worker jogged down the front steps before hopping into Monty’s SUV.
“Thanks for the ride, man,” Chad greeted. “I thought my truck would pass inspection but it needed brake work.”
“No problem,” Monty laughed. “But when are you going to replace that hunk-a-junk?”
“I’ll keep it a
s long as I can,” Chad replied easily. “I know it’s an eyesore next to all y’alls fancy trucks, but it’s got sentimental value.”
Monty sobered, knowing the old jalopy of Chad’s had belonged to one of his former ATF Bomb Squad buddies who died. His mother had not wanted the old truck and gave it gladly to Chad. “Well, as long as someone can keep it running, you might as well drive it,” Monty agreed.
The two men talked about current cases the Saints were working on as they drove to the compound, located securely underneath Jack’s massive house on twenty acres nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The back of the property butted against part of the parkway and a winery with acres of grapevines. The other side faced Mountville Cabin Rental and Wedding Venue, owned by Bethany, Jack’s wife.
Driving through the gate after entering the security code, the men headed to the house that Jack, and now Bethany, lived in. The large log structure resembled a luxury rental cabin, but underneath housed the Saints’ compound. Rooms full of equipment needed for their security business, plus the huge conference room filled with computers that assisted them with their investigations.
The Saints all lived nearby, although they did not meet at the compound daily. They generally held meetings there twice a week, unless an active case required them to gather more often. It seemed lately, as busy as they were, they met more frequently. Pulling to the front of the house, they saw the vehicles of most of the Saints already there.
“Sorry if I made us late,” Chad said.
“We’re good on time,” Monty replied, glancing down at his dashboard clock.
“Yeah, but we don’t want to be stuck with the crumbs.”
Bethany baked muffins or massive cobblers when she knew the men were called for special meetings. Her reputation among the Saints meant that none of them wanted to be late.
Hustling up the broad front steps and into the foyer, they were not disappointed to see her just pulling out the apple-peach coffeecake from the oven. The other Saints piled around, plates at the ready. The greetings made the rounds as she served the hot cake.
Honor Love: Saints Protection & Investigations Page 2