Reilly's Wildcard (Blackwater)

Lucy waved away her concern. “Just some drunk idiot who wouldn’t take no for an answer and thought he could help himself.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not surprised. That guy has been getting progressively more annoying with each drink. I was about to notify one of the guys when I noticed Reilly already had the situation under control.”

Lucy could still feel the man’s touch on her skin. She tried to suppress a shudder. “I don’t think he’s going to feel too good when he sobers up tomorrow morning.”

“Serves him right, you ask me.”

Lucy nodded and started for the restroom again when Reilly reappeared. His brows scrunched together as he looked at her arm

. “Did he hurt you?”

“Not really.”

His gaze swept over her, and Lucy warmed instantly. The soft concern in his gaze caused her heart to do a cartwheel. “Come on, you look like you could use a few minutes of peace and quiet.”

Lucy hesitated a moment, unsure if she should go off with him. But she trusted Reilly. She’d seen him around town, remembered him from high school and had tried to get up the nerve to approach him, but she’d always been too shy. This was her chance to get to know the gorgeous man a little. Dare she?

She took his hand and let him link her fingers with his. Without another word, he led her to the back of the restaurant. Once they were alone in a back corner of the kitchen, Reilly stopped and turned toward her. “Still need to use the restroom?”

She bit her lip and looked down at the floor, suddenly finding the white linoleum fascinating. “I’m fine, thanks.”

In the brighter light of the back room, Reilly could see Lucy’s features better. Ah hell, she was even prettier than he’d first thought. She stood shorter than him by a few inches, with straight, dark hair that hung well past her shoulders. The purple streak going down one side stirred something in him. “I like the purple,” he murmured, touching the shiny strands with his index finger.

“Thanks.” She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “It’s temporary. Just for fun.”

The perfection of her oval-shaped face appeared free of makeup, or else she wore very little. Just a touch of gloss to her full pink lips that was practically begging to be licked away, and maybe a little mascara, giving her eyes more of an exotic appearance. Her sexy siren’s dress covered a body made for sin. Lucy possessed a youthful glow that had tugged at every molecule in his being the instant he’d seen her walk into the restaurant.

She stared at him as if she wasn’t sure what to make of him, though. Not good. When his gaze caught on the reddened blotch on her arm, he frowned. “Damn it, I should’ve hit the ass.” Reilly really wanted to punch the bastard even now, but the jerk was already in the cop’s capable hands. He’d gotten lucky in finding Brian Delany, an old high school buddy turned police officer, having dinner at the restaurant. Brian had gladly escorted the drunk to his cruiser.

Reilly touched the mark on her forearm and rubbed back and forth, hoping to ease the pain. When their gazes connected, he leaned in closer until he could smell her pretty, feminine scent. Without thinking, he said, “You handled yourself pretty well back there.”

She blushed at his praise, and for a moment, Reilly didn’t think she was going to say anything. “Not as well as I should’ve,” she complained. “If you hadn’t come along, I’m not sure what I’d have done.”

He cocked his head. “What did he say to you, anyway?”

She smoothed a hand down her dress. “It doesn’t matter.”

She bit her lower lip, and Reilly decided he’d let the jerk off way too easy. “I have a feeling he wanted more than a dance from you.” She turned her head away, avoiding his gaze. Reilly cupped her chin and gently forced her to look at him. “Lucy?”

Lucy squeezed her eyes shut and nodded.

“Well, he’s gone now,” he told her, hoping to reassure her. “And he won’t be back.”

“I’m glad.” She looked around nervously. “Is it okay for us to be back here? Will we be in anyone’s way?”

He chuckled. “Hey, I’m part owner of this joint, remember?”

She slapped her forehead. “Duh, of course. I guess I’m a little rattled.”

“You have a right to be.”

“What did you do with him anyway?”

“Let the police take care of it.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “I have a feeling it’s not that guy’s first brush with the law.”

Reilly moved a step nearer and grasped her by the waist. “You have something on your cheek.” God, it was agony being so close to her and unable to do more than touch.

“I do?”