In the Dark (The Rules 2)

“You have a sister? How did I not know this?” Kelli leans forward, touching my arm. Thank God she fell for my distraction tactic.

I shrug. “She’s younger, just graduated high school. She started community college last week.”

“What’s her name?” Kelli asks brightly.

“Sydney. Though I mostly call her Syd.” The moment the name drops from my lips I turn to see Lucy standing by our table, her arms laden with our dinner baskets. The look on her face says it all. I know what she wants to ask.

How’s Syd?

But I keep my mouth shut, watching as she distributes our meals to each of us, asks if we need anything else before she dashes off.

“Our waitress is jumpy,” Jade says the minute Lucy’s gone. “I think you make her nervous.”

“Who makes her nervous?” I ask just before I pop a fry into my mouth.

“You do.” Jade points her finger straight at me. “She can hardly look you in the eye.”

“Maybe she thinks you’re cute,” Kelli says, sounding put out.

Is she jealous? Please God say it isn’t so. I barely know this chick. And I’m definitely not looking for a relationship with her.

“Maybe she thinks you’re a total douche,” Shep adds. “I bet you’ve somehow rejected this chick before and now she hates your guts.”

Perceptive asshole.

“Maybe we’re all making a big deal out of nothing,” I mutter as I concentrate on eating. Enough talking. I’m done with talking.

Talking gets us nowhere.

My shift dragged on forever. When Gabe and his entourage finally left, I sagged with relief. But it was short lived. It was so busy I could hardly catch a breath and it stayed that way until we closed at eleven. I’m only just now about to leave for the night and it’s almost midnight.

“You drive home safe, okay? See you Tuesday!” Barb calls out to me as I exit the restaurant.

“I will, thanks,” I tell her as I shut the door behind me. My Toyota is parked in the lot, far away from the actual restaurant but I don’t feel unsafe. It’s well lit and there’s no one out here. Nowhere to hide.

I mentally add the tips up that I earned and smile. I might only be working at The Shack part time but if my tips stay like this it’ll more than make up for the less hours. I might not need that on campus job after all, though I’m still going to look for one. I bet I could work both, and keep up with coursework. Not like I’ll have any friends or a man to distract me from what’s important…

Referring to a man leads me to think of Gabe and a shiver steals through me. Damn him and his extraordinary good looks. The way he scowled at me, the possessive, undoubtedly raw and real way he kissed me. I’d wanted to give in so badly. It would’ve been easy too. But I couldn’t. I just…I could not say, oh yeah Gabe, let’s hook up after I get off work tonight.

No way. Why drag this on even longer than necessary? What’s done is done. It was nice, what we shared. A pleasant, sexy and sex-filled little fling for the summer. He’s mad at me and I get it. I’m a little mad at him too. I should’ve apologized but seeing him really threw me for a loop. Maybe I’ll apologize to him when I see him in class on Monday. That would be good. It will be serious and heartfelt and he’ll forgive me and we’ll move on from this mess that is our lives.

It’s not until I’m practically on top of my car that I see another car is parked on the other side of it. A familiar car, too. And an equally familiar person steps out of the shadows, his deep voice resonating, washing over me as he says my name.

I about jump out of my skin when I spot Gabe standing there solemnly watching me.

Resting my hand against my chest, I take a deep breath. “Gabe! What are you doing?”

“Waiting for you.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest.

“What happened to your date?”

He dismisses my question with a flick of his head. “I sent her home with Jade and Shep.”

“But I thought…”

“There’s nothing to think about. Forget her.” He steps forward, his gaze almost pleading as it locks with mine. “I need to talk to you.”

I sigh. “I already told you. There’s nothing left to say.”

“I find that hard to believe. Just…sit with me for a while. We’ll walk down to the beach.” He waves a hand in the ocean’s direction.

“It’s pitch black dark out there,” I point out, trying to tamper down the fear tingeing my voice. I’m being ridiculous. I’m not scared of the ocean.

Of Gabe? Oh, hell yes. But not the ocean.

“The moon is half full.” He points to the sky and I glance upward, noting that it is indeed half full. “Your eyes will adjust. Come on, Luce. It’ll be like old times.”

That’s what I’m afraid of. Maybe I don’t want to relive old times.

Silly liar, of course you want to relive old times, especially if it means Gabe’s mouth between your legs and your fingers buried in his hair when you hold his head against you while he licks you to orgasm.

Ugh. I close my eyes. No orgasm talk. I don’t want one, not from Gabe.

Your lies are ridiculous and you know it.

Scowling I shake my head. I hate that little naggy voice that resides in my brain.

“I’m really tired. It was a long night.” I hang onto my last excuse as best as I can but it’s no use. He can see right through me.

“I won’t keep you long, I promise. We don’t even have to talk,” he says.