Hunted by Darkness (Darkness #4) (28 page)

In the beginning she’d had assistant positions but for the last year she’d taken on bigger projects solo. She shot Lizzy a look when she didn’t say anything. Athena could read into the silence. “Okay, I’m nervous about the job too.”

“You’re going to do great,” Lizzy said as they reached the mini Tiki bar. The air was cool in the high fifties and the scent of various meats on the grill filled the air. Even though they’d had the party catered, apparently Grant had insisted on grilling some things himself. “I wouldn’t have recommended you apply for it otherwise.”

Athena ducked behind the bar and grinned at the array of bottles and other garnishes. She’d been friends with Lizzy the past couple months and knew her friend’s tastes by now. As she started mixing up their drinks she said, “If I fail, hopefully they won’t blame you.”

Lizzy just snorted but eyed the drink mix curiously. “Purple?”

“Just wait. You’ll like it.” She rolled the rims of the martini glasses in sugar as she spoke.

“Where’d you learn to do this?”

“I bartended a little in college and there were a few occasions on the job where I had to assist because staff called out sick for an event.” There’d been a huge festival in Madrid she’d helped out with a year ago where three of the staff had gotten food poisoning, so in addition to everything else she’d been in charge of, she’d had to help with drinks on and off. That had been such a chaotic, ridiculous job.

“At least you’ll have something to fall back on if you do fail,” Lizzy teased.

“I seriously hope not.” She set the two glasses on the bar and strained the purple concoction into them. With the twinkle lights strung up around the lanai and the ones glittering in the pool, the sugar seemed to sparkle around the rim. “This is called a wildcat.”

“You have to make me one of those too!” The unfamiliar female voice made Athena look up.

Her eyes widened as her gaze locked with Quinn freaking Brody, the too-sexy-man with an aversion to virgins. He was with the tall woman who’d just asked Athena to make a drink. But she had eyes only for Quinn. Her heart about jumped out of her chest. What was he doing here of all places? At least he looked just as surprised to see her.

She ignored him because she knew if she stared into those dark eyes she’d lose the ability to speak and then she’d inevitably embarrass herself.

The tall, built-like-a-goddess woman with pale blonde hair he was with smiled widely at Athena. “Only if you don’t mind,” she continued, nodding at the drinks. “They look so good.”

“Ah, you can have this one. I made an extra for the lush here.” She tilted her head at Lizzy with a half-smile. Athena had planned to drink the second one herself but didn’t trust her hands not to shake if she made another. She couldn’t believe Quinn was standing right in front of her, looking all casual and annoyingly sexy in dark jeans and a long-sleeved sweater shoved up to his elbows. Why did his forearms have to look so good?

“Ha, ha.” Lizzy snagged her drink as Athena stepped out from behind the bar. “Athena, this is Quinn Brody and Dominique Castle. They both work for Red Stone but Dominique is almost as new as you.”

Forcing a smile on her face, Athena nodded politely at both of them—and tried to ignore the way Quinn was staring at her. She’d had no freaking idea he worked for Red Stone. He looked a bit like a hungry wolf. Just like on their last date—two months ago. When he’d decided she was too much trouble, being a virgin and all. Jackass. “It’s so nice to meet you both.” She did a mental fist pump when her voice sounded normal. “I promised Belle I’d help out inside but I hope to see you both around tonight.”
Liar, liar.

“Me too. Thanks again for the drink,” Dominique said cheerfully while Lizzy just gave Athena a strange look.

Athena wasn’t sure what Quinn’s expression was because she’d decided to do the mature thing—and studiously ignore him. When she looked at him it was just a reminder of all those intense kisses they’d shared. He’d lit her body on fire like no one ever had. They’d gone on half a dozen dates and she’d thought they were on the same page, had wanted the same thing. Obviously not, and she thought she’d been over it.

No, she
was
over him. She simply needed to get it together before she saw or talked to him again.

Lord, talk about totally unexpected.

Since she didn’t know everyone at the party it was easy enough to make her way inside without having to make small talk. She hurried to Belle and Grant’s bathroom, not bothering to use one of the guest ones. Not when she just wanted a couple minutes of privacy and she knew her cousin wouldn’t mind.

As she shut the bathroom door behind her, she leaned against it and let out a stupid rush of breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding in. The man should not be able to affect her at all. Not two months after…the hottest dates of her life. She’d been so sure—

No. Just, no.

She would not think about those midnight dark eyes of his and the dirty things he’d whispered to her as he’d nibbled along her jaw, making his way to that sensitive spot on her neck.

When she suddenly wondered if he and Dominique had come here tonight together, as a couple, it was as if she’d been doused with that clichéd ice water. That certainly cooled Athena’s thoughts down. Those two probably were together. Worse, they
looked
perfect together too. Both tall, sleek and too sexy for mere freaking mortals like herself.

Sure, Athena might be named for a goddess but she wasn’t some siren. Ugh, and she’d worn a boat-neck cashmere sweater, jeans and ballet slipper type shoes.
Super sexy
, she thought sarcastically, wishing she’d opted for heels at least. Even if she did think heels were ridiculous. At five feet two, she could use a bit of height but she liked her feet too much to constantly subject them to torture. God, just seeing him here, with someone so seemingly perfect for him, made Athena feel like that chubby girl in high school again. The girl with the big personality. The girl everyone wanted to be friends with. But not date.

She tried to shake off the old insecurities. Gritting her teeth at herself, she took a deep breath and opened the door. She wasn’t going to hide in her cousin’s bathroom and berate herself. She’d had a few dates with the man. It hadn’t worked out. No big deal.

She was going to get another glass of champagne, enjoy herself and get to know her new co-workers. The thought came to an abrupt halt as she opened the bedroom door and found Quinn leaning against the wall opposite her, almost casually. But she wasn’t fooled by his stance.

Nothing about him was casual. Those muscular arms were crossed over his broad chest and there was an almost predatory gleam in those dark eyes. No, that look on his face couldn’t be mistaken for anything but raw lust.

Which wasn’t exactly a shock. Their attraction to each other hadn’t been the issue.

Acknowledgments

I owe a huge thanks to Kari Walker and Carolyn Crane for all your input with this book. It’s a lot stronger because of you and I am forever grateful. Joan Nichols of JRT editing, thank you for finding all those pesky little errors. You are wonderful! Thank you to Jaycee with Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs for another fantastic cover. To Sarah, thank you for all the behind the scenes stuff that you do to keep me sane. For my wonderful, wonderful readers, thank you for reading my books! You guys are amazing. I hope you enjoyed Bo and Nyx’s story. I’ve said this before and it’s true; writing a book is just the first step in producing it, and I’m very thankful for all those who help with its final production, including Amy with Author EMS who formats it. Thank you for always working me into your queue, even when I’m rushed. I’m also thankful that I have such a supportive family who puts up with my erratic writing schedule (and coffee addiction). And last but not least I’m thankful to God.

About the Author

Katie Reus is the
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. For more information on Katie find her on twitter
@katiereus
or visit her on facebook at:
www.facebook.com/katiereusauthor
. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please visit her website:
www.katiereus.com
and join her newsletter.

Complete Booklist

Red Stone Security Series

No One to Trust

Danger Next Door

Fatal Deception

Miami, Mistletoe & Murder

His to Protect

Breaking Her Rules

Protecting His Witness

Sinful Seduction

Under His Protection

Deadly Fallout