Page 97 of Stars At Dusk

She tagged her drink and drank it all in one, then stood to her feet, ready to leave.

‘Not going now, are you?’ Ruben pleaded, grabbing her arm.

‘Excuse me?’ She looked down at his hand and then coldly back to his face. He froze and removed his objectionable fingers from her.

Just then, she felt a tickle at the back of her neck. She turned.

To see a muscled, tall, bearded man standing in the reception area of The Osirian, his silver eyes set on her.

Kage.

She felt a rush of unexpected joy. She was about to leap from the bar and rush him when she saw Silani sidle up to him.

The woman practically plastered herself against the Rider. He looked down at the hostess distractedly. She slid an arm up his chest and around his neck, pulling him down to taste his lips.

Harlow tore her eyes away and sat down heavily in her seat.

‘Perhaps one more for the road,’ she jauntily called out while inside she fought back a wave of unexpected anguish. ‘Another mango daiquiri, please, Jarok.’

‘Awesome,’ crowed Ruben, unaware of the mini-drama that had just played out.

Jarok had clued in, and his eyes narrowed as he carefully contemplated Harlow. ‘Perhaps a little less rum this time.’

‘No! Pour it heavy!’

He gave her a troubled look but turned to do her bidding.

Harlow sat there looking down at her hands. Ruben babbled to her right, but she was deaf to his words, lost in her thoughts.

She felt his presence before she heard his voice. ‘Harlow?’

She took a deep breath and turned towards the man leaning against the bar to her left.

‘Hey,’ she said coolly.

Kage’s eyes were hooded, almost angry. ‘I see you’ve discovered ourkinga.’

She nodded. ‘I did. Thanks for the bottomless tab.’

He inclined his head.

‘If it isn’t Kage Sable,’ Ruben called out, peering around. He reached over Harlow, extending a hand in greeting.

Kage glanced at it coldly and ignored him. ‘Harlow, a moment. Please,’ he ground out.

He strode off, fully expecting her to follow.

Harlow cursed under her breath and contemplated her life choices for a moment.Was she overreacting? Could ignoring him come across as petulant? Of course, it would,she concluded.After all, hadn’t she been the one putting brakes on whateverthefokk they were?

With a sigh, she pushed off the bar, gave Jarok an apologetic smile and waved at Ruben.

She was about to turn on her heel when a hand landed on her arm, preventing her exit. She looked down at the tight grip. Then up at Ruben’s face.

‘Leave me the hell alone,’ she hissed.

That’s when she noticed his expression. Where a minute ago it’d been folded into an innocent, almost baby-faced smile, there was now cold outrage.

‘Stay right here, Harlow. With me. We need to talk.’

---