Page 7 of Her Captivated Hero

“I like that word too,” Riya grinned. She looked down as he clasped her hand. So cool, they were holding hands. There was so much to like. “Deduced, it just sounds good coming off your lips.”

“I kind of like the word lips,” Gray said as he continued to walk with her.

“Shhh, I’m deducing. Kind of like Sherlock Holmes.” But now she was looking at his lips. Come on Riya, play detective. He raised his eyebrow for her to continue.

“Now this next part is conjecture, mind you.”

He nodded.

“You, Dex and Griff were gone when I heard loud sounds that must have been the gunshots from the drunken joker. I am assuming you took him out in such a way that the police were only required to scoop him up and take him away. That must have been the reason why I didn’t hear any sirens. If I had to take another guess, you’re less than pleased that any shots were fired at all.”

Gray had been slowing down with every word she uttered until they finally came to a complete stop.

“Am I right?”

Riya realized he was looking at her with an expression that she couldn’t read, hardly a new sensation for her. Damn it, had she blown it? Was he thinking she was a freak because she could figure it out? She should know better than to act like some kind of know-it-all.

When will I learn?

Gray nodded solemnly. “You were right on the money, perfect marks. Something tells me you’re used to getting perfect marks.”

“Great, I got perfect marks,” she sighed.

Yep, she should have kept her mouth shut. She’d ruined it again. But seriously, did she have to screw things up just minutes after he’d whispered sweet nothings in her ear? Her eyes felt gritty and she blinked fast. He’d even used the word deduced.

Riya looked over at her table. She could see the girls watching them with curiosity. He followed her glance.

Gray pulled his hand from hers and slid it to her waist as he subtly turned her away from the bachelorette table. Riya looked up into his face but he was intent on guiding them through the crowd so that she wasn’t jostled. Riya marveled that Gray managed to find the one open tall table against a wall next to the pool tables, in a corner that was relatively quiet.

“This okay?” he asked with a smile.

“Yes,” Riya answered with wonder. “I thought you were going to head for the hills,” she admitted softly. He was smiling, was that a good sign?

His blue eyes held hers, the eye contact making her feel uncomfortable. “Does that happen a lot?”

“Yes.” She felt a sting and realized she was biting her lip. She sighed and decided to come clean. “But this time it would have mattered.”

A red-headed waitress with a competent air appeared and Gray handed her the empty glasses that had cluttered the table.

“What would you like?” she asked Riya with a wide smile.

“Sparkling water with lime, if it isn’t too much of a problem,” Riya requested.

“Easy enough, Sweetie.” She didn’t write it down. Riya guessed that she’d been waitressing most of her life, and she looked like she enjoyed it. How great was that?

“And you, Tough Guy? You get to choose from the top of the shelf. Loved your take down. I’m betting military, not cop. Am I right?”

Riya watched as Gray gave her an easy grin. “Why are you betting on military?”

“My husband’s a cop. He would have stuck around to talk to the police. You and your buddies left it to our crew.”

“Navy,” Gray confirmed. “I’ll take a sparkling water too, but just to keep you guessing, how about lemon? What’s your name?”

“Rosie.”

“I’m Gray, this is Riya,” he smiled as he introduced them.

“Nice to meet you. I think I can keep your drinks straight,” she winked and sidled through the crowd to the next table.