Page 13 (2/2)

And if she is, how in the ever-loving hell did I miss her?

“Yep She’s e we ie”

“Okay” I laugh, wishing I’d been there to see that

“You didn’t ask for her nuer into lance up at her with a raised brow

“You just assaulted an officer”

“I did?” She ss hard

“Yes I ht have to arrest you”

“With handcuffs?” She sht

“Would you like me to arrest you with handcuffs?”

“Hell to the yes!”

“Kate?” There’s suddenly a very tall, very irritated ers into h

“I’ to look at hi to put me in handcuffs”

“No, I don’t believe he will”

I laugh again “There’s nothing going on here, man”

“Co me from my stool to the table behind us Most of the wo the sexy as fuck woo?”

“Declan took them home,” Lila replies, and her hand stopsher drink Her violet eyes widen when she sees me “Hi”

“We e in her dark hair and brush it over her shoulder “How are you, Lila?”

“Fine” She clears her throat and sain”

“A happy coincidence,” I reply softly “You look beautiful”

And she does Her eyes are a bit glassy from the alcohol, her cheeks just a little flushed Her hair is straight and falls down her back and over her slim shoulders Before I can ask her questions about her trip here, or anything about her, we are soon pulled into the conversation with the others at the table But when Kate asks Lila if she’s ready to go, I’onna have Asher take me home”

“Atta girl!” Kate high-fives Lila, hts on me “And listen up, buddy If you hurt her, I don’t care if you really are a cop, I’ll make your life hell Okay?”

“Okay” I nod soberly, glad that Lila has such fiercely loyal friends in her life

And I barely know her

“I hope that’s okay,” Lila says and turns to me with an embarrassed smile

“More than okay” I can’t help it I have to touch her I tuck her hair behind her ear withit down her jawline “But I don’t think I want to take you ho”

“I don’t either,” she whispers, her eyes fixed on my lips She licks hers, and just like that I’m hard as fuck “And that’s very unlike me”

“Oh?”

She nods soberly “I don’t do this sort of thing”

“What sort of thing would this be?” I lean into her, enjoying the set closer

“Pick up strange men”

“Well, I’er I mean, you’ve already been inthe way her cheeks redden at theinto my lap on the plane yesterday

“You didn’t seem to mind”

Oh, trust me sweetheart, I didn’t mind at all

“Would it be okay if I took you back to my hotel? It’s a couple blocks away”

“You’re bold,” she says with a flirty grin “And I think I’d like that”

I stand, take her hand, and pull her to her feet, then lead her out of the bar and onto the busy street She’s into look fantastic overaround New Orleans

When she stumbles about a block away from the hotel, I simply lift her in my arms and carry her the rest of the way

“You’re strong” She loops her arms around ood”

“And if you keep running your fingers through ainst the side of the hotel,” I inforhs and kisses my cheek

“I’ainst the side of this hotel This is New Orleans” She smirks as I set her on her feet by the elevator