Darcia Helle - Enemies and Playmates

Enemies and Playmates

by Darcia Helle

Copyright 2009 DarciaHelle

www.QuietFuryBooks.com

License Notes:

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoymentonly. This ebook may not be re-sold, copied, or reproduced for anypurpose. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and events areproducts of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to realpeople or events is entirely coincidental.

This ebook contains bonus material!

Gina hopped off the barstool. Perfect perpetuallytanned legs, a teasing smile, dark eyes that lit up beneath longdark lashes. That was Gina. She not only turned heads, she stoppedmen in their tracks and left them drooling and speechless. Letsdance, she said.

Carrie slipped off her stool. Short tousled bleachedblonde hair, big blue eyes. Part hippie, part techno geek. Shegrabbed Laurens hand. Cmon, she said. This is a greatsong.

Not yet, Lauren said. You guys go ahead.

Gina sighed. Sometimes youre so uptight.

Lauren picked at her nail polish as her two friendsdisappeared onto the crowded dance floor. The DJ kept the crowdmoving with a contagious dance beat. Carries platinum hair glowedunder the flashing lights. More than a few mens heads turned intheir direction. Lauren looked away. Gina was right. Sometimes shewas too uptight.

Around her, sexy young women in tiny skirts wereinundated with attention by hopeful young men. They were all so atease. Would she ever feel that way?

Lauren silently chastised herself. One of these daysshed throw caution to the wind and do something wild and crazy.She rolled her eyes. That would happen right about the time flyingmonkeys took over the world.

The guy two stools over was slowly leaning closer toher. The heavy scent of his spicy cologne stung her nostrils. Shesensed his come-on before he spoke.

Hello, he said. How are you this evening?

Lauren mustered a smile. Im fine thanks. You?

Doing great, he replied through a toothy grin.Even better since you got here.

Nothing original about this guy. He had short sandyhair and pale blue eyes. He wore a baggy designer t-shirt and baggyfaded jeans. His line was dull. His look was dull. Lauren turnedtoward the dance floor in search of her friends.

Can I buy you a drink? the guy asked. His eyesremained fixed on her breasts.

Im all set, Lauren replied. Thanks anyway.

He motioned to the empty spot on the bar in front ofher. You arent drinking?

Im driving, she said. She wasnt, though he didntneed to know that.

But the night is young. One drink wont hurtyou.

His voice had a cocky edge. Lauren shook her head.No, Id rather not.

He shrugged. My names Dean.

Im Lauren. She averted her eyes, picked at hernail polish. Were Gina and Carrie ever coming back or was shedestined to spend the entire evening with Dean leering over hershoulder?

Want to go someplace quiet? Dean asked.

Lauren would have laughed had she not had politeetiquette programmed into her since birth. The guy offers to buyher a drink and now thinks she should be so flattered that shellfall right into bed with him? A few women probably did, though shecouldnt imagine why.

Lauren said, Im here with friends.

Yeah? Where are they?

On the dance floor.

Want to join them?

No thanks.

Dean shrugged again. Your loss.

Lauren ignored his sarcasm, as well as his look ofdisdain. She turned her attention to the music and the peopledancing. The DJ had switched to hip hop, though the beat hadntchanged much. Lauren spotted Gina gyrating around two guys whosetongues practically hung to the floor. No sign of Carrie.

Dean cast a sideways glance, got up, and walked away.He repositioned himself toward the end of the bar, beside a blondewith silicon boobs jutting out of her lacy top. Lauren was glad tobe rid of him.

Maybe she should swallow her nerves and get up on thedance floor with Gina and Carrie. It wasnt as if she couldntdance. She did it all the time in her bedroom, when no one waswatching. But it took her awhile to work up the nerve to dance inpublic. The night was young. People werent drunk enough yet.

She turned away from the dance floor and surveyed thecrowd. She spotted him instantly. He was leaning casually against apole, his black leather jacket the only rigid part of him. He wastall and muscular and unbelievably sexy. And he was staring rightat her.

Lauren quickly looked away. Her breath caught in herthroat and heat rose to her cheeks. She tried to concentrate on themusic but, even with her back to him, she felt his eyes burninginto her. He was by far the sexiest man shed ever seen. Why had hebeen staring? Was he still? Why did she want that answer to beyes?

She turned her head a bit and easily caught aglimpse. He was still by the pole, still staring. His face waswithout expression, his stance casual. He made no move toward her,yet she was overpowered by his presence.

Lauren rubbed at the goose bumps on her arms and gotthe bartenders attention. Could I have a shot of tequilaplease?

The two minutes the bartender took to pour her drinkcould have been an eternity. Lauren shifted her weight on thebarstool, afraid to turn back toward the man in the black leatherjacket. Was it the fact that hed been looking at her that wasmaking her uncomfortable? Or was it the thought that he might turnaway? Maybe a little of both.

Had she been more like Carrie or Gina, she would haveordered a second drink and had it sent to the guy. Or boldly walkedover and introduced herself. But she was not like them. For manyreasons, she lacked that kind of confidence. Not to mention theminor issue of her total lack of trust where men wereconcerned.

Lauren swallowed the shot in one gulp. Her throatburned. Good. Maybe it would relax her. Maybe it would give hersome courage.

She sensed his closeness before she turned. Hiserotic scent filled the air. Her palms began to sweat and hercheeks flushed. She took a deep breath and glanced to herright.

His vivid brown eyes caught her off guard. Such adeep shade of brown, they were almost black. He met her eyes,didnt blink. But she was not as skilled as he and she had to lookaway.

Im sorry for staring, he said. Well, no, Imreally not. Im just sorry for being so blatant about it.

Lauren chuckled at his honesty. His voice was everybit as erotic as he. He smiled an easy, relaxed smile. He radiateda confidence that somehow managed to lack arrogance. Laurens skingrew warmer. She silently cursed the blush she couldntcontrol.

Are you waiting for someone? he asked.

No. Lauren gestured to the dance floor. Im herewith some friends.

He touched the stool beside her. Then can I sit hereand buy you a drink?

Lauren hesitated, her voice lost somewhere deep inhis eyes. He grinned and said, One drink? Then if you want me toget lost, I promise I will.

Lauren couldnt help but smile. Youve got adeal.

He slid onto the stool. My names Jesse Ryder.

Lauren Covington.

Covington? Any relation to Alex Covington?

Hes my father. Why?

Ive been doing some work for him

Laurens stomach churned. She looked down at herhands and picked at her nail polish. It would figure. The first manshed been tempted to let her guard down with and he worked for herfather. He was probably a hit man or something. She should tell himto get lost. She should make up some excuse. She looked up and gotlost in his eyes.

The bartender approached and said, Can I get you twosomething?

Jesse held Laurens eyes. What are youdrinking?

Kahlua sombrero.

And a rum and Coke, please.

As the bartender walked away, Lauren tried to summonthe courage to speak. He worked for her father. Was there anyjustice in this world?

You dont look anything like your father, Jessesaid.