Page 11 of White Raven
Tony remained quiet.
“No.”
Silence stretched between them, becoming a strange, stifling thing. It was silence like this that made his mind wander. The only thing left for them to do now was live…but…how does one live? What does one do with all this freedom after being held within the dark for this long? Decclan moved first, breaking the silence with the buckles on his boots as he stepped around and clapped Tony’s shoulder.
“Get that spindly ass from between those angelic sheets and be ready in twenty. I don’t know how to get to where we’re going, but I’m inclined to walk.”
“Walk? Why?”
Decclan’s face turned back towards the sliding glass door to the balcony and a smile appeared that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Because we can.”
Athan flicked his cigarette, sitting across from Sarah in the same large booth they’d been in the last time they were here—their first real date. Thinking back on it, he couldn’t even recall ever taking a woman out to dinner. He supposed it was more than just a first date between them…it was likely his first dateever. As dates go, he couldn’t imagine it going as well as it had, even though what he’d planned for Sarah after they left McClellan’s, he still hadn’t had the opportunity to fulfill. Sarah didn’t seem to even remember that they had planned anything else the last time. She sat Indian style in the seat, stewing over the menu and involuntarily bobbing her shoulders to the Irish folk music blaring in the bar. Athan stared at her, drawing from his cigarette.
“You know…if I didn’t know you, I’d find it extremely creepy that you stare with that kind of intent.” She didn’t even look up at him from the menu—which she seemed to be studying, more than reading. He grinned, flicking more ashes into an empty cup.
“And what intent is that, exactly?”
“The kind that promises an empty plate. Licked clean. You know…like the dessert you never ordered the last time we were here.” Her eyes flashed to him over the menu.
“Psh…” he smirked. “I still got my dessert. And if I recall correctly…Ididlick that plate clean.”
“You’re a fiend,” she smiled, looking back down at the menu. “I love it.”
“Do we already have plans for after?” he asked, sliding a sweating glass of iced water toward him.
“Yeah, Brent gets out today. Somebody has to go pick him up. As Wren has indefinitely shut herself in, and he has no family or friends…that somebody is me today.”
Athan huffed, sipping from the straw. “That’s the second time we’ve left this place to go to a hospital. And for him…again.”
Sarah looked up and smirked. “Uh oh…”
“What?”
“Do I detect jealousy?” Her smirk quickly widened into a grin.
“Sarah, you can’t be serious.”
She sat the menu down and crossed her arms. “No? Whatever bro-code you two had last week sure seems…diminished.”
Oh, she was enjoying this. Everything about her face and her body language said as much. Why the hell was he turned on?
“Are you done?” he asked, taking another drag. She dropped her hands to the table.
“Damn it. It’s either that hard to get you worked up, or you’ve got one hell of a poker face, detective.”
“Is that what you were trying to do?” he grinned, blowing smoke. “You’re about the only person that knows exactly how to get me…worked up.”
Before Sarah could come up with a clever retort, the waitress popped in at the end of the table to take their orders. Once they finished, and she started to walk away, Decclan, Tony and Devin walked through the door, awestruck by the authenticity of the pub. Decclan reached the booth first, extending his hand to Athan.
“Hey, brother.” His voice was gravelly. Almost emotional. His hand was ice cold. Athan stood, sliding out and leaning forward until their chests touched and they slapped backs. Tony and Devin looked around, taking everything in. Athan gestured towards his mate.
“You remember Sarah.”
“Yes,” Decclan smiled, offering her his hand. “Pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise,” Sarah smiled, taking it. She moved, coming around the table and Athan slid a hand around her waist. “Here. Take my spot. I’ll sit with Brood.” Decclan chuckled and slid into the seat, Tony stepping up to greet them. “Hey, Tony.” Her smile was warm…almost a little flirtatious.
