Luke fought the urge to place his hand over hers, figuring only then would she grace him with another glance. She stared at Nick completely ignoring Luke. Nick turned to Luke. “Luke?”
Luke sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I’m good.” He said as he watched Cara turn around and prepare Nick and Helena’s drinks. He heard them conversing beside him and only made out three words that had come from Nick’s mouth.
“Her fiancé died.” Nick said, his voice barely above a whisper. Luke closed his eyes as his friend said the words. The words that rang as a reminder that he needed to reel himself in.
“Tell me something.” Nick said as he leaned closer so that only Luke could hear him. “If all women are an open book and you’ve got the magic touch, why can’t you figure her out?”
“She’s not mine to figure out.” Luke answered automatically before turning to look Nick dead in the eye. “Jake asked me to watch out for her. He asked me to take care of her and make sure she doesn’t do anything stupid. But for some reason she hates me and has made it damn hard to keep tabs on her.”
Cara slammed Nick and Helena’s drinks on the bar. Luke stared up at her, noticing the dark circles under her eyes that she tried to conceal with makeup. She turned away and sauntered to the other end of the bar. Luke watched as she helped the other patrons, shooting him daggers every time their eyes happened to connect.
*
Sam’s friends had joined in on the good time, in turn making Nick’s head spin with confusion just a little more. Luke was starting to feel bad for his buddy. He felt Nick’s hand pat him on the back. “I’m heading upstairs.”
Luke nodded and looked his friend over, he looked like shit. It was probably best if he bailed now, while he still could make it up the stairs to his apartment.
“I’m going to hang out for a while. Leah’s working an overnight shift and Ava’s with Sam, so might as well take advantage.”
Nick nodded and threw some money onto the bar. “Good night…” He paused. “Everyone.”
Luke watched him stagger off towards the door before turning back around and coming face to face with Cara. “Luke, either order a drink or follow Nick out. I don’t need a babysitter.” She said and for the first time there wasn’t malice in her voice.
He considered her words and nodded. “I’ll have a Jack and coke.” She stared at him for a moment, studying him, and then she nodded slightly.
“Okay.” She whispered as if they had an understanding between one another. Little did she know he’d drink himself silly if it kept her from lashing out at him.
And that’s exactly what he did. He let her pour drink after drink, until he couldn’t feel a goddamn thing other than the heat in his gut that yearned for her. He was sure it was apparent in his eyes and the way he looked at her. He watched her work that bar the entire night, watched as man after man hit on her. Some of them had caught Luke’s glare as if he had a claim on her, and he didn’t give two shits. He wanted them all to steer clear of her.
She leaned over the bar across the way from him, his eyes traveled the length of her body, settling on her ass, which stuck out as she leaned over the bar. She threw her head back laughing at something one of her patrons said to her. He wanted to sink his teeth into just one of those round cheeks of hers. He lifted his drunken gaze as she glanced over her shoulder at him, listening to whatever the guy staring daggers at him was saying. Luke slowly dragged his eyes away from the man that had Cara’s undivided attention and settled on her face. He saw a fire in her eyes when they met his. Drunk as he was, he could tell the fervor she had in her eyes was different than the intensity that burned within him. Hers was full of vengeance.
Luke tipped his half empty glass towards the man and then repeated the gesture towards Cara before he finished it off in one shot. He placed the empty glass on the bar and when he lifted his head, he saw those hazel eyes fixated on him as she made her way towards him. He swallowed the lump in his throat unable to tear his eyes away from hers. She slapped her hand on the bar and leaned closer to him.
“Let’s go.” She said firmly and straightened her shoulders. He blinked. Did he hear her, right? He didn’t question her, though. She could ask him to help her bury a body and he was pretty sure he would do it, just to be close to her. No questions asked. She looked over at the other bartender that was cleaning up the tables. “Rob, I’m taking a break.” She nodded towards the bar and motioned for him to take it over as she slipped out from behind the bar. She looked over her shoulder at Luke, who was still planted on his stool staring at her.