Page 6 of Engaging Evelyn (Blissful Bets)

“I told you I would catch you.”

The heat emanating from his skin was enough to warm her against the chill in the air. She still couldn’t catch her breath, which was ragged, at best. “Thank you,” she said, breathless. “You move really fast.”

The spikes of her stilettos were on the very edge of the stair. Leaning forward, she had never felt so safe. It was very disturbing. For a moment, she was sure she was going to fall down the stairs. She still could if he let go.

“Can you let me up now?” She groaned against his arm.

“Of course, although I have to admit, I kind of like you helpless like this.”

Evelyn was glad that she wasn’t facing him or she might have hit him. Plus, she would hate for him to drop her. Tumbling down the stairs in a short microfiber dress couldn’t end with a graceful landing.

The stranger spun her around in his arms, holding her against him. Without too much strength, Evelyn moved away and stepped down one step.

“So, are you going to tell me where you’re going tonight? I think I deserve that, with saving your life and all.”

“No, I’m sorry. I don’t think that would be a good idea. Plus, I have plans for afterward so…” Evelyn let her voice trail off in hope that he would catch the hint that she already had plans with someone else. Maybe he would give up and leave her alone.

“Is that right? Well, hmm. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at seven, then. I hope you have fun tonight.”

Once again, he had managed to shock her. There was not going to be a dinner date tomorrow! Dumbfounded, she watched him walk back up the stairs and never look back. The wind raced up her legs, which caused a chill to go down her spine while she thought about what had just happened.

She wasn’t sure how long he had been out of view. It seemed she was lost in her thoughts, once again. What part of her rejection hadn’t he understood? She wasn’t meeting him for dinner, damn it!

As fast as her stilettos would carry her, Evelyn raced to her car. The parking lot was dimly lit, but the light didn’t penetrate the dark shadows that lurked in the pools of darkness between the distanced light poles.

Scanning the shadows while she made her way through the deserted lot, she searched, hesitantly. There was a feeling she couldn’t shake of being watched. It caused chills to race down her spine. Without wasting any more time, she climbed in her car, locking the doors behind her. The cold leather bit into the back of her legs, making her teeth chatter.

Melissa had been notified earlier not to pick her up. Evelyn assumed that she knew she had plans for afterward, but Melissa didn’t question her, which she was thankful for. Without lying to her, which Evelyn didn’t feel good about, she wouldn’t have known what to tell her.

The engine roared to life, vibrating her whole body with the purr of the GT’s exhaust system. The heater came to life, giving her time to warm up before she drove the thirty minutes to Corpus Christi. The girls always met up at the Martini Bar and sometimes club-hopped until closing time at two in the morning. Just the thought of letting loose and having fun eased her tension.

Evelyn drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway that led to Corpus and let her mind play over the two new men in her life, for today. One, she didn’t even know the stranger’s name. He was, well…odd for one, and yet, he was gorgeous. There was no denying that. But something about him just didn’t sit right with her. It had to be his eyes. They intimidated her. Evelyn had never seen anyone with that color eyes before.

Bill was great to have sex with. As for his personality, well, who knew? She didn’t know the first thing about the guy besides him mumbling something about a fishing tournament he was in town for. Those things only lasted for what, a few days? Did that mean he was leaving soon?

She’d have to ask when she stopped by his room later, if she stopped by. Evelyn doubted that he would care since he left her the key to begin with. But if he was indeed leaving so soon, then how was he going to become her boy toy? Damn, that would pose a problem.

She jumped the Mustang to ninety on the deserted highway. Nervously, Evelyn looked at the clock, which read ten-thirty. She was already late and still had a good fifteen minutes before she got to the bar. Glancing over at the black scenery surrounding her, she couldn’t help but think about how it seemed to be almost closing in on her. A heavy feeling settled in her chest. The minutes rolled by while she fought to breathe.

The sound of the phone ringing without a song playing for a ringtone made her want to groan. The number was private. The thought crossed her mind whether to answer it. It could be a prospective client, but with it being so late at night, she doubted it.

“Hello?”

“Evelyn, this is Sarah. Where are you? We’ve been waiting for ten minutes. You’re usually one of the first ones here.”

“I’m a few minutes out. Whose phone are you on? It’s a private number.” Sarah’s rich laughter echoed. “I have no idea, but he’s hot.”

“All right, give me a few minutes. I’m coming up to S.P.I.D.” The term was the abbreviation for South Padre Island Drive. It was so much easier than saying the whole damn thing.

The deserted highway turned into a cluster-fuck. It seemed everyone was going out tonight. All three lanes on each side were jam-packed with cars.

After weaving out of the endless traffic—safely, of course—Evelyn managed to exit and get on Everhart Street. The traffic wasn’t any better there, but after what felt like endless minutes, she managed to find a place to park in the crowded lot.

The large bar was crammed with people. Loud music pumped through her body while she maneuvered around the large crowds. Working her way to their regular booth, she almost got a beer spilled on her by a stumbling blonde.

“Evelyn!”

Julie ran up to her and almost knocked her down. The smell of Jack Daniel’s and Coke on her breath was enough to take Evelyn’s breath away. Jesus, she prayed that her friend wasn’t already wasted.

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