Page 10 of Reine's Salvation

Chapter Five

Mystique slid into the seat next to the sexy hunk she’d been trying hard not to stare at all night. Scratch that. She’d been trying not to ogle him since he’d walked into the bar late one night a few weeks ago. Damn, that night she hadn’t been the only one left gaping as he strutted inside and ordered a beer.

Fortunately for her, the novelty wore off on most other women quite soon. After all, he was no Jake Gyllenhaal or Brad Pitt. He tended toward the darker side of the spectrum. More like Charlie Hunnam inSons of Anarchybut with black hair. He was the kind of man mothers warned their daughters about. Mystique could almost hear her own mother warning her that a man with tattoos and long hair spelled nothing but trouble. The bad kind.

To make him even more mysterious, he was clearly not accessible. He kept to himself, aloof, quiet, and not smiling. She had little doubt he wanted to be left alone, yet, there was also something about him coming here every night that spoke volumes to her. She couldn’t shake off the sensation that he was in more trouble than he was actually trouble itself.

“Friends? Are you drunk?” he asked.

Mystique laughed. Shit. It was her ditzy laugh. The kind of high-pitched chuckle she gave when she was hysterically nervous.

“Why not?” She cleared her voice. “You’re new to town and everyone needs a friend.”

“I don’t.”

“Sure you don’t,” she agreed, making sure the sarcasm in her tone was blatant. He pierced her with an icy glare. Could he see the sweat dripping down her back?

“Just because I’m missing a limb doesn’t mean I need anyone.”

“I never said otherwise.” Fuck this was not going in the direction she wanted. Her palms became clammy. She watched him as he angrily took a swig of his beer bottle, and then set it back down, cursing as he realized it was empty. He looked at her again, his eyes narrowed.

“You’re still here? Maybe you could bring me a beer instead of sitting here, annoying me.”

Mystique forced herself to smile. The urge to flee and hide started to become almost unbearable, but she couldn’t do it. She wasn’t the kind to give up, and at the back of her mind, the nagging feeling only grew stronger with his attitude.

“Why are you still here, Mystique?”

“What?” she asked, surprised by the sudden change in his tone.

“Why are you still here?” he repeated.

“Oh.” God, what could she say to that? That he was attractive? That something in her gut prompted her to stay? That it looked as if he needed the company? She fidgeted in her chair unsure of what to say.

“What? Waiting to ask about my arm?” he asked, filling the silence. “You’ve been sent by the rest of the townsfolk to try and figure me out, is that it?”

Her eyes widened. She shook her head.

“God no. Why would I? It’s none of my business.” She stared at him, appalled he would even consider such a thing.

“Most people don’t seem to think so.”

“I’m not like most people.” She managed to smile again. If she had known it was going to be so difficult to approach the guy, she would have stayed away. Yeah right. Her mother always said she had a weakness for people and puppies. As big as he was, the man before her reminded her of a sad puppy with green eyes.

“That much is clear. You don’t get a hint even if it’s staring you directly in the face.”

She laughed. “I only pay attention to hints when they are true. Your hints stink of lies.” She took in a deep breath. “You’ve been dying for some company.” The words rushed out of her mouth. She was probably being presumptuous, but she had to say it.

To her relief, he looked amused.

“Yeah? How are you so sure?”

Mystique licked her lips. She grasped her necklace tightly. It was all or nothing at this point.

“Well, to begin with, you’ve come to a bar to drink. If you didn’t want any company, you’d buy some beers in the supermarket, take them with you, and drink them at home, alone. Instead you’re here.” She looked around the bar as more and more people filtered through the doors. Fridays were normally a busy day.

“Good observation,” he conceded. She glanced at the clock on the wall. She still had time. Encouraged, she continued.

“Also, you haven’t walked away from me yet. For all that I’m bothering you, you’re still here.”

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