Don't Look Back (Warders of Earth) (16 page)

We fell silent. Alex re-filled my glass from the jug he’d brought with him and nudged my hand with the glass. Obediently, I chugged down more water.

Finally, my heart eased its frantic pace and my dizzy, light-headedness lifted. Sighing with relief, I fiddled with the empty glass in my hands, turning it round and round. When I snuck a peek at Alex, I saw he was staring at the table, a heavy frown puckering his forehead. “Something on your mind?”

“Yes, you.”

Not knowing how to answer, I remained mute and waited. At last he moved, lifting his left arm to rest along the back of the bench. If I leaned back, his arm might drop down around my shoulders.
My tummy quivered.

So, I was attracted to him. The knowledge sank deep into my soul.

Any girl in her right mind would be! But I didn’t know what to do about it. My life was such a mess at the moment and with my best friend keen on this guy, how could I betray her?

No, he was off-limits, so I’d better keep it cool and just ‘friends’.

Jacey, one of the waitresses, bustled up to our table with a laden tray in her hands. She winked as she set down a bowl of potato wedges, a plate of garden salad and another plate filled with crisply fried cocktail fish pieces.

The aroma caused my stomach to rumble and, giving my belly a pat, I laughed. “I didn’t realise how hungry I was, thanks, Alex.”

“Any time.”

We smiled at each other.

And for one insane minute, it was like there was no one else in the room.

The clatter of cutlery hitting the table broke our connection. Face hot, I tore my gaze away and nodded my thanks to Jacey who sauntered off grinning.

Keep it cool.

I picked up a fork and speared a piece of pan-fried barramundi and bit off a mouthful. “It tastes great. Aren’t you going to eat?”

“Yeah, I’m starving too.” He moved his left arm, draping it now around my shoulders. The weight was warm and comforting. I couldn’t believe how much I longed to cuddle into his side.

He said coolly, “You don’t mind do you?”

“No. I like it.” Did I really say that?

But Alex didn’t make any derisive remark, only smiled and picked up a fork. While we ate, Alex spoke about the work he and Shay had been doing with the SES and the damage to the town that still needed to be fixed. Gradually, I relaxed, enjoying listening to his quiet, deep voice and the feel of his arm around me.

He made me feel protected.

Safe.

“I need to get back to work,” I said gruffly.

“If you’re sure you’re feeling better…?”

I nodded.

“Your boss said you can work out the remainder of your shift in the kitchen. Less hectic. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was adamant he needs your help. Sorry.” Alex slid out from the bench and stepped aside to allow me to follow suit. When he held out his hand I took it, a buzz of electrical excitement tingling up my arm where his fingers closed strongly over mine.

Ooooh yeah.
Talk about hot! This guy needed a safety warning tattooed on his chest.

“When you’ve finished your shift, how about we go into the bar and listen to the band? I’d like a dance with you.”

“Sounds like fun.” Surprisingly I meant it. I could do with some R and R after the past few days. And surely, Em wouldn’t mind if I had one little dance with him? Besides, I was fairly certain Dan was right, I was the one Alex was interested in. A little thrill sizzled over my flesh.

I checked the time on the old railway clock. “I’ve got an hour and a half to go which gives us about twenty minutes before the band packs up.”

“I’ll hang around here. Take it easy, okay?”

I gave a quick smile and hurried off through the door that led to the kitchen and pantry areas. Away from the noise and bustle of the bar, the remainder of my headache fled while I kept busy doing some washing up and stacking the washing machine. When I’d finished I made a quick visit to the loo, brushed my hair and applied fresh lipstick. Tugging at my clothes, I found Alex where I’d left him.

His gaze locked with mine as I crossed the room to his side. I went all hot and fluttery inside at the sight of his slow smile and steady stare.

The lights were dim in the main bar. Hand-in-hand, we entered the room. A blast of sound hit me and I teetered on my heels. On the raised dais the lead singer belted out a song at the top of his lungs, competing against the blare of his band’s instruments.

The room was packed with people, some dancing, some standing around watching, others laughing and yelling at each other.

Alex glanced over his shoulder at me and grinned. He wound his way through the crowd until we reached the dance area where he swung round and placed his hands on my waist. Drawing me closer until our bodies touched, he leaned his chin against the side of my forehead and began a slow swaying dance.

My body pinged into overdrive.

I wound my arms around his back and half-closed my eyes.
Heaven.
Em was right; he was sex candy on legs. Heat, hard-packed muscle and sinew, he moved with the lithe grace of a panther and the lure of a dangerous predator.

Along with that thought, came the questions.

Who was this guy?

He has the word
‘Warder’
tattooed on his neck.

What did it mean, if anything?

My bestie was interested in him.

And his father could be involved in said bestie’s mum’s disappearance.

Jeeze, what a mess!

For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine Alex hanging around in such a small community for long. He looked like a fast-paced life was more his style. For all my protestations about moving away and seeking the bright lights of the city, I knew I could never live far from my parents and little brother.

They relied on me.

And for all my raving about wanting to live elsewhere, I’d miss them. So even if Em weren’t on the chase, a short-term relationship was not what I wanted.

But what was stopping me from pretending for a few minutes?

Every girl likes to dream.

Closing my eyes to shut off my turbulent thoughts and enjoy the moment, I nestled closer until I rested my head on his chest. His mouth nuzzled my forehead in a way that sent my tummy quivering as our footsteps slowed and we swayed together in a sensuous rocking movement. My hormones roared into life, squealing...
yes!....yes!...yes!
  Every part of me fizzed and sizzled. With his arms round me and pressed so close, I wanted to stay in his embrace forever.

What happened to keeping it cool?

The song came to a crashing end and the band broke for a break.

Feeling more than a little guilty, I pushed out of Alex’s arms and avoiding his eyes left the dance floor.

“I think I’ll go home,” I tossed over my shoulder, deciding it was time to retreat before I caved and dragged him off to some dark corner. That was something I could never allow to happen.

“I’ll drive you.” His tone was flat, hard and instinctively I knew it would be useless to protest.

Outside the hotel, the night was still and warm and rich with the aroma of the bush. Alex linked my fingers in his as we strolled to the rear of the building and the carpark. I didn’t protest although in my mind’s eyes, all I could see was Em’s tearful face.

When we reached his car, he pressed his key lock and opened the passenger door for me.

It didn’t take long to drive the few blocks to my mother’s house. When Alex pulled into the curb and turned off the engine, I sat, waiting.

My conscience battled the pull I felt towards him.
Em.
What would I do if he kissed me? Should I give in and kiss him back? Push him away? Invite him inside? Make a run for the front door?

“Tara?”

Suddenly there didn’t seem to be enough oxygen inside the car.

I forgot about my best friend.

Breathless, I turned toward him. “Yes?”

“What’s your Dad’s take on this meteor shower? Has he mentioned it to you?”

“Huh?”

With shadows painted across his face, it was hard to read his expression but there was no mistaking the grim slant to his voice. This was not about me.
He was fishing for information.

Disappointment sliced into my heart and the bubbling lust frothing about inside me, cooled. This would teach me to poach on my friend’s preserves. Blindly I groped for the door handle. “Thanks for the lift and for the food, Alex. If you want to ask my father questions, why don’t you talk to him yourself?”

“I don’t have his number. He’s like a ghost, not listed anywhere.”

I shrugged. “Try the observatory. See you around.”

I opened the door. Alex’s hand landed on my shoulder but I wriggled out from under his hold and escaped.

I couldn’t reach the porch quick enough. It wasn’t until I entered the house before I heard his car roar off down the road.

He’d waited until I was safe inside.

I really wanted to kiss him. Damn it.
What, if anything, was I going to do?

***

Alex

I should have kissed her
.
Bloody hell, I wanted to do more than kiss her.
The realisation beat inside my skull with an insistent tune similar to that last head-banging song played by the band in the pub.

Feeling a little as if I’d been blindsided, I changed down a gear and took the next corner wide. As soon as the car straightened, I pressed my foot down, heavy to the metal. The car responded, surged forward with a power that normally thrilled me, normally sent the adrenaline crackling through my blood. Heightened every sense I possessed.

Nothing.

Fuck it.
My jeans felt painfully tight, my body still tense, and stupid, dumb thoughts filled my head.

The fact I didn't experience that quick rush worried at my mind like a rodent chewing on wood.

This chick is getting under my skin.

My shoulders twitched.

I can’t let it interfere with my mission.

The thought of seeing that cold disappointment etched on my father’s face, effectively chilled the heat that had flooded my body when I’d been near her. But it had been more than a shit-load of lust that had sent my senses reeling like a monk in a whore house.

It had been worry.

The way her pain had split inside my head as if I was right in there with it had knocked me sideways. I hadn’t expected it; heard about it but actually experiencing a sacred connection like that with another person was mind blowing.

All I could think about was my need to take it away.

What was even more amazing, was I succeeded. Her headache had eased once I was in her company. Whether that was pure luck or something else, I couldn’t figure out.

I’d blown it though. The first opportunity I’d had to spend a little one-on-one with her and I blew it.

Maybe I should have started with a kiss instead of a question.

She’d withdrawn from me immediately.

Shit! I’m not getting anywhere with this mission
.
What if I’m wrong? What if it’s not her? Fuck it. I need those answers. Fast.

Cause I could have done with her trust. That would have helped big time.

Guess that was something I had yet to earn.

I thought of Shay and his dead mark, Lorraine. Jaw clamped tight, I lowered the window.

A wash of cool night air swirled through the cabin as I sent the car roaring down the dark country road.