Page 35 of Midnight Blue

Putting on my customer service face I greet him. “Welcome. Feel free to find a seat anywhere and I’ll be over to grab your drink order.”

The man takes my cue without muttering a word and heads toward the booth that’s in the back corner of the room. I watch him as he takes in his surroundings, checking to see where all the possible escape routes, hiding places and bad guys could be. Seriously, the man looks like he’s an FBI agent or an armed robber. Once he’s seated, I relax a tiny bit.

I turn back when the phone rings. “The Tower, Amber speaking.”

“Amber, it's Mike. I’m so sorry but I won’t be able to make it in today. I’m sick.”

I glance up at the clock, and of course, he calls an hour before his shift starts. “Sorry to hear that Mike. Hope you feel better.”

“Shit,” I curse under my breath.

Mike not coming in today means I’m going to have to tend bar. There goes my chance to catch up on paperwork. But what can I do about it?

Not a damn thing.

Let's hope tonight is a slow night. Sighing, I put away the clipboard I was using grab my notepad, pen and head toward my only table. More people have joined him, but their backs are to me as I approach. Feeling the danger in the air, I keep my gaze down not wanting to peek anyone's interest at the table.

“Sorry to interrupt but what can I….” My voice trails off as I make eye contact with a man I haven’t seen in a long time. Actually, I never thought I would see him again. What the hell is he doing here? I can’t seem to look away, as I drown in his deep, brown eyes.

Someone clears their throat, I shake my head trying to clear the shock. When I go to open my mouth the only words that come out are, “I’m sorry…I can’t.”

I can’t stay there any longer, so I run hoping that he doesn’t follow me. I jog down the hallway toward my office but just as I reach the knob when a large hand closes on mine.

I don’t dare look at him. If I look at him the walls that took me so long to build will fall and I need to protect myself, especially from him.

A deep growl comes from behind me. “Amber.”

He sounds pissed at me, but I can’t fathom why. I’m the one that endured.

I’m the one that was abandoned by everyone.

The one person I thought would come for me, never did.

Memories flood my mind; memories that I had buried long ago try to surface, but I can’t let them. My heart starts to race. My palms feel wet and sticky. Trying to stay calm, I whisper, "Jake.”

With his name on my lips, he spins me around. His eyes are swimming with rage. He slams his hands against the wall caging me. I stare into his eyes, trying to read his mind, understand his feelings. He dips his head down and growls in my ear, “Where have you been, sunshine?”

The nickname from long ago sends my body into a whirlwind. Goosebumps start to pebble my skin, my nipples spring to life, and my clit throbs. Shit. I didn’t even think I had it in me for my body to react like this, it always felt broken.

Ignoring my body and him, my gaze darts up and down the hallway. I don’t need or want anyone to hear this conversation. If Jake found me then the Wolves can find me too. Looking back up at him I try to turn to open the door. He relents and releases me, dropping his arms. I nod my head toward my office, “Let’s talk in my office.”