Page 435 of Hate Mates

Stand Alone Books:

Straight, No Chaser

On the Rocks

Under the Influence

192

Dirty, Bruised Martini

The Last Call

Another Round

Garnish With a Candy Cane

Sip

Fireball

Two Writers by Quinn Slater

Chapter One

Brianna stood behind her event table, hip cocked to the left, hands on her hips. She was tired of showing up at these damn things by herself. It made her even more desperate than usual. At least she left that asshole, Sam, behind at home. She’d told him to pack his shit and be out of her apartment before she returned home after the event.

She sat, looking over her stack of books at Daniel May, a fantasy writer she’d met at the last three events she attended. Everything she heard about the guy was good. She’d also heard he had a girlfriend. She glanced at her watch again for the thousandth time since the event started four hours ago. Another hour and it was time to pack up, leave Estes Park, Colorado, and head back to Alabama.

“Brianna,” a man said, and she jumped. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Damn, he’d been working out since the last time she saw him six weeks ago. And the ink on his arms! “Sorry, Daniel, I was lost in my own head.”

Daniel's lips quirked into a half-smile, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "No worries. I've been accused of livingin my own head more times than I can count." He ran a hand through his messy dark hair, leaving it even more tousled than before. "How's the event been for you?"

Brianna's gaze lingered on the new tattoos adorning his forearms, intricate designs that seemed to shimmer and move in the dim convention center lighting. She forced her eyes back to his face, hoping he hadn't noticed her staring. "Oh, you know. The usual. Lots of smiling, lots of small talk. My cheeks hurt from fake-grinning all day."

Daniel chuckled a low, warm sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Brianna's spine. "I hear that. Sometimes I think I should write a fantasy novel about an author who gets sucked into a magical realm every time they attend a book signing. Might make these things more bearable."

The scent of his cologne, something woodsy and crisp, like pine needles after a rainstorm, wafted towards her as he leaned against her table. Brianna found herself leaning in slightly, drawn by his presence. "I'd read that in a heartbeat. Sounds more exciting than another evening alone in a hotel room, anyway."

She bit her lip, realizing how that might have sounded. But Daniel just nodded, his expression suddenly serious. "Yeah, I know what you mean. These events can be... lonely." He paused, seeming to choose his following words carefully. "Listen, I was thinking of grabbing a drink at the hotel bar later. Maybe unwind a bit before heading to the cabin. Would you... like to join me?"

Brianna's heart skipped a beat. She thought of Sam, probably still packing his things back in Alabama. She thought of the rumors about Daniel's girlfriend. But looking into his warm brown eyes, she found herself nodding before she could second-guess herself. "You know what? I'd love to."

The hotel bar was cozy, dimly lit, with dark wood and soft leather. Brianna sank into a plush armchair across from Daniel, grateful to be off her feet after the long day. The bartender approached, and Daniel ordered a whiskey neat. Brianna hesitated, then decided to match his choice.

"I didn't take you for a whiskey drinker," Daniel said, raising an eyebrow.

Brianna shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "There's a lot you don't know about me, Mr. May."

The drinks arrived, and Brianna took a sip, relishing the burn as it slid down her throat. She watched Daniel over the rim of her glass, noticing how the warm light caught the flecks of gold in his eyes.

"So," she said, setting her glass down. "New tattoos?"

Daniel glanced down at his arms as if he'd forgotten they were there. "Ah, yeah. Got them a few weeks ago. They're, uh, inspired by some of the magical symbols in my latest book."

Brianna leaned forward, genuinely intrigued. "May I?" she asked, reaching out.

---