Page 77 of Twisted Revelations

Being from the south, I had a habit of calling everyone I didn’t know ma’am and sir. The guys had warned me that some people didn’t like it, so although I remained silent on most occasions, I attempted to be careful with how I addressed people.

We hadn’t let go of each other, which reassured she wasn’t afraid. I didn’t want to turn her loose. She was so warm and pretty she could make me lose my will to be the polite gentleman I normally was. My throat and tongue forgot how to work, and I couldn’t form a word to save my life.

What was even better than her hand on me was this close-up view. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with a light I prayed would one day shine on me. Her dark, flawless skin glimmered against the hallway lighting and possessed a hypnotic quality. I was sure I’d already considered that about her skin, but I was limited in thought at the moment.

At this closer view, I noticed that she, in fact, looked at me with interest in her gaze. Was I seeing what I wanted to see and fooling myself? Wouldn’t be the first time I believed I saw something that was never there in the first place.

A smile inched across her lovely lush lips and set fire to my doubts. The tips of her fingers skimmed my forearm, making the hair on my arm stand before she let go and backed away.

Reluctantly, I let go too, not having a choice since she’d stepped back. The depth of her warmth dissipated at our disconnect, but her pretty green eyes remained on mine.

“Have a good night, Beverly,” I greeted, loving the way her name sounded vibrating over my tongue and rolling off my lips.

“You too, Lucas. Have a good night,” she returned as her smile widened and grew brighter. She stepped around my tall, bulky body, leaving me to stand and ponder our interaction.

If I glanced back, she’d know how much our short encounter had affected me, so I forced my legs to carry me to the room I shared with Galvin. My head twisted sideways. How did she know my name was Lucas? It wasn’t far off from Luke, but I rarely used it.

A deep sigh escaped. Galvin and I were leaving in the morning, so there was no need for me to fool myself into thinking too much about beautiful Beverly. Her lush, curvy body, embracing warmth, friendly smile, intriguing eyes, and caring caress. My eyes fell closed at the idea of all the wonders she possessed.

“Luke,” D called, as my hand turned the knob to enter my room. He approached, his phone glued to his hand as the light shining from the screen lit up his face. The man should’ve been blind by now since he was rarely without an electronic device.

“Yes,” I answered, awaiting his reply.

“I’m on another assignment that popped up on the radar a little while back. I’ve been pulling double duty, but it looks like I’ll have to make a move that will pull me out of Texas and send me to Vegas. I may not be able to escort Laura and Beverly back there. Dax and I have plans to stick around for at least a few more weeks to ensure DG6 didn’t have any stragglers lingering around their area. The ladies have their own protection squad that will look out for them, but you know we don’t like to leave anything unfinished.”

My brow lifted, awaiting his point.

“You think either you or Galvin can take my place in Texas for a few weeks? Keep eyes on the ladies until we’re sure they’re safe?”

My teeth sank deep into the back of my lip to keep a smile at bay before I forced myself to answer.

“I can do it,” I volunteered too enthusiastically. “I don’t have anything pressing going on right now.” I was actually behind on my work from helping Ansel, but if there was one thing that being around my friends gave me, it was a spark of excitement I couldn’t find anywhere else. They were also my only family. If watching two beautiful women was what was needed, work would have to wait.

“Good,” D stated as a wide grin crept across his lips. He placed a stiff hand atop my shoulder and caught me with a warning gaze. “Don’t let those beautiful faces fool you. Those women are as deadly as we are and twice as distracting. A few times, I thought I was going to have to go in to the hospital and get a priapism treatment.

I burst into laughter, shaking my head at D.

“I’ll sit with you tomorrow, brief you, and answer any questions you might have,” he added, shaking his head with a twisted smirk on his face.

“Okay.” I nodded my acknowledgment and continued to skirt my excitement.

“Are you going to Megan and Aaron’s wedding tomorrow?” I shook my head in the negative. I was ecstatic for Aaron and Megan, but I was not at all interested in a wedding. However, I understood the women needed to be there for their friend and would give them all the time they needed.

“I’ll have to stick around until after the nuptials. I’ll let Dax know that you’ll be replacing me. It’s a first-class trip compliments of his private plane,” he added. We didn’t hesitate to take advantage of the luxuries that came along with working with Dax.

“Good night. Talk to you tomorrow.” He still had that teasing smirk on his face as he stepped away. If the encounter I’d faced fending off my immediate attraction to Beverly was any indication, I was already in trouble.

“Good night,” I called back to him as I entered the room. The idea I’d be in the presence of Beverly caused my smile to spread as my face filled with warmth. I stood in place, my fingers tracing my jaw as my mind lingered on none other than her.

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