Hunting Human (6 page)

And he
was
attractive. Dressed nicely in a soft, chocolate brown sports coat, neatly pressed slacks, starched white shirt and a forest green tie, he was an ad executive’s dream. The picture of casual sophistication—broad shoulders, tapered waist and a tan combined to present an image that stated he was right at home sailing, hiking or trail running. Self-conscious awareness prickled across her skin, even as a powerful thrill, entirely feminine, raced through her. For tonight, his attention seemed focused exclusively on her.

As they followed the hostess through the restaurant, Beth tried to soak in every visual detail. Square tables covered the floor of the main dining room, each one dressed with perfectly pressed white linens and a small vase of fresh flowers. Chandeliers bathed the dining room with a warm, low light that set the silver gleaming. They wound their way toward the back of the restaurant and along the far wall, stopping at a small square table near the corner. Before she could pull out her chair, Braden’s hand covered hers, gently maneuvering her aside to pull out the chair for her, before taking his own.

“Your server should be with you shortly. Enjoy your evening.” Beth barely noticed as their hostess retreated, too caught up in the splendor of the evening.

“I love the atmosphere here and their steaks are amazing,” Braden said.

A waiter stopped at their table, snapping starched white napkins open and placing them in their laps.

“It’s beautiful, but I wasn’t expecting something so extravagant.” Beth placed her hands in her lap to keep from toying with the silverware. “I would have been happy with one of the chain restaurants.”

Braden grinned, though whether it was at her, or at the waiter’s scandalized expression, she wasn’t sure.

“Good evening, my name is Carlos. I’ll be your sommelier this evening. May I get you started with something to drink, a bottle of wine perhaps?”

“Do you have a preference?” Braden asked Beth.

“What?” It took her a moment to catch his meaning. “Oh, no. A red, I guess?” Red went with steak, right? God, could she feel like a bigger idiot? Somewhere between the potency of Braden’s kiss and the elegance of the steak house, she felt as if she’d stepped into another reality.

Beth forced herself to take a couple of bracing breaths while Braden and the sommelier discussed the available wines. She was determined to get her nerves under control and enjoy the evening. One way or another.

An hour and a half later, warmth infused Beth’s face and her cheeks ached from a wine-induced smile. She didn’t care. They’d torn their way through half a bottle of wine before the food started to arrive. The relaxed state she’d failed to achieve on her own had been readily supplied by the wine. By the time appetizers arrived, they’d been actively engaged in conversation.

“Might I interest you in a dessert menu?” The waiter offered.

“What do you think?” Braden glanced at her from across the table. “Did you save room for dessert.”

“Absolutely not.” And wasn’t that the truth? She was one bite away from having to be rolled out the door.

“Are you certain? We have an amazing bananas Foster and a fabulous six-layer chocolate mousse cake garnished with a delicate raspberry sauce.”

“The chocolate cake here
is
really good.” Braden’s grin was wicked and Beth couldn’t help but laugh. How many times had she smiled and laughed during the meal? More than she could have believed possible.

“Maybe next time.”

“Very well,” The waiter pulled a black bill holder out of his apron and placed it in front of Braden. “Whenever you’re ready, sir.”

After they’d settled the check, they made their way to the front of the restaurant.

“Did you park at Angie’s?” Braden held the door for her as they moved out of the restaurant.

“No. I’m at one of the public lots a few blocks over.” A wall of cool night air hit her as she exited the warmth of the restaurant. The sidewalk did a quick roll in front of her, confirming she’d had a little more wine than intended.

“Then I’ll walk you back to your car, if you’re sure I can’t talk you into coffee and dessert?” Braden slipped his arm around her waist as they moved onto the sidewalk and up the road. The warm afternoon breeze had developed into a light wind that swirled around the street and carried the scent of another spring storm blowing in off the Pacific.

“I don’t think I could eat anything else tonight. But walking for a while might be a good idea,” she said, the cool air cleansing her wine-fogged brain.

“Okay.” When she shivered a little in the breeze, Braden pulled her under his arm. “Do you have family out here?”

“No, I’m originally from the Boston area,” Beth answered, hoping to stick to easy topics.

“Do you get back often?”

“Not anymore.”

“That’s too bad. You must get homesick.”

Caution flared to life. She should have expected this. Dinner had been fun and engaging, and she’d managed to steer Braden into talking about himself—where he went to school, how he’d ended up in the family business. Every time he’d echoed her questions, she’d tried for vague or boring answers and then turned the conversation back to him. Most guys would have basked in the opportunity to focus the conversation on their interests and accomplishments. It both annoyed and impressed her that he seemed genuinely interested in hers.

“Not as much anymore. Portland’s becoming more like home all the time.”

“Your family must miss you.”

Beth sighed, but couldn’t fault his curiosity. Maybe a blunt approach would work. “My mother died several years ago. It was just me and her, so, well…”

Braden paused, clearly taken aback by the confession. “I’m sorry.” Though she suspected he wanted to, he didn’t push. Damned if it wasn’t endearing.

“It’s alright.”

They walked in silence for a few minutes, crossing the street and leaving the warm glow cast by the restaurants and shops behind for the muted lighting of the office district.

“We didn’t really get around to talking much about what you’ve done over the last several years, something tells me you weren’t always working in coffee shops.”

“No. That’s a more recent development.”

“So, what were you doing before? I’m dying of curiosity here.” When she paused, Braden pushed. “Alright, I’ll guess.” He furrowed his brow, as though giving it careful consideration, then said, “You were a Las Vegas showgirl.”

“God, no.” Beth choked on a laugh. “Stage fright.”

“You ran a scuba shop in Cozumel.”

“I’m a terrible swimmer.”

“You weren’t a yoga teacher, were you?” Braden gave her a playful leer, “’Cause while I’m down with flexibility, I’m not sure I can deal with chanting and the scent of patchouli.”

“Yoga enthusiasts everywhere are offended by your terrible generalizations. But no.”

“So does that mean you aren’t flexible?”

A pointy elbow to the ribs was the only response she gave.

“Peace Corps?”

“Definitely not that noble. I like my modern amenities.”

“Oh, oh, I know. You could tell me, but then you’d have to kill me, right? Please tell me you know thirty different ways to kill a man with your bare hands…”

Beth snorted at his ridiculousness.

“What? Female spies are sexy.”

“Sorry to disappoint. I don’t know thirty ways to kill a man with my bare hands.”

“Damn. So no skintight catsuit either, huh?”

She laughed, full and delighted. “Where do you come up with this stuff?”

“Hey, a man’s imagination is a dangerous place. Care to rescue me?”

“I was in college.”

“College, huh? Let me guess, underwater basket weaving?”

“Architecture.” Surprise stole across his face. “With a minor in mayhem and destruction.”

“Really?”

“No. I minored in photography.”

“An architect and a photographer.” He inspected her closely, as though seeing an entirely new side of her.

“You sound disappointed. But, then, I guess it isn’t as exciting as a female spy.”

“I’m intrigued. Why aren’t you in some office somewhere, designing suburban America?”

Beth shrugged. What could she say to that? She didn’t want to lie and she didn’t want to leave the question between them. Whether it was pride or the desire to share something with him, she wasn’t quite sure. “I’d planned on continuing school, getting my master’s. I never thought I’d end up taking time off, working odd jobs.” Beth took a moment and collected her thoughts. “Some days it still surprises me, but I didn’t see a lot of things coming and after…” Oh, God, she wasn’t sure she could say it. “After…”

His hand, warm and steady, squeezed her shoulder. “I can’t imagine how hard it must have been when your mom died. That kind of loss would derail anyone’s plans.”

Beth glanced up, surprised at the gentle concern in his expression. Even if his assumptions weren’t exactly accurate, they were close enough. It was easy to reach up and press the hand he had draped around her shoulders. “Thank you.”

Silence fell between them and though she knew he would drop the conversation, Beth found, much to her surprise, that she wasn’t ready. “A lot of people didn’t understand why I just couldn’t go ahead with my plans. But I just…” She blew out a frustrated breath.

“Couldn’t go forward as though your world hadn’t completely shifted?” They rounded the corner and entered the parking lot, Beth’s Jeep the only car left.

“Yeah. It just felt wrong. Like that future wasn’t there anymore.” She shrugged a little. “That must sound ridiculous.”

“Not at all. Losing your mom was a major change in your life, it would take a pretty cold person to move forward as though it hadn’t happened.”

“I guess. I think I needed a little time to adjust, to figure things out. I’ve been pretty restless since. Moved around, took a few different types of jobs. Just recently I’ve started thinking about staying in one place, maybe going back to school.” She stopped next to her Jeep, pulling her keys out of her purse. “Small steps, I guess.”

“You’ll figure it out.” His fingertips brushed her cheek as he pushed an escaping tendril of hair behind her ear. “No matter the circumstances, I’m glad you’re here.”

She seized a moment of bravery and allowed her hand to curl around the soft silk of his tie and pull him closer, pressing her mouth against his. His lips were warm and pliant against hers, but the way he held himself perfectly still broadcasted his surprise. Beth eased down off her toes and let the cool silk slip through her fingers, ending the kiss on a soft sigh. “Thanks.”

His brow settled into a line of confusion and it took a moment for his gaze to focus on her face again. “What for?”

Beth let a little shrug escape her. “Tonight. Listening.”

“Uh-huh.” His warm hands slid around her, one settling at the hollow of her back and the other sliding up, a warm caress against the thin material of her dress. “I’ve wanted to do this again all night.” His lips, still stretched in a smile, found hers. Beth tilted her head, letting her arms settle around his neck, one hand threading through the thick hair just above his collar. That small action snapped his restraint; warm and gentle slipped quickly into hot and consuming. It was the sort of kiss that simultaneously managed to fire every nerve in her body and completely fade the rest of the world away, leaving her senses to focus exclusively on the long, male body, warm and solid against hers.

Everywhere they touched left a focused impression of heat. She was intensely aware of his hands, they way the left one warmed her skin at the small of her back and the way the right one tangled in the hair at the nape of her neck. She was excruciatingly self-conscious of the way her breasts pressed flush against the smooth planes of his chest, aching with arousal. The cool night air that rushed between them when he finally pulled back was shocking and very unwelcome. But it was enough to make her realize that she was out of breath and could hear the blood rushing in her ears.

“Come home with me.” He kept his face close to hers, his breath ghosting across her swollen lips, but the hand on her back slid away, pressing against the door of the Jeep. “Come home with me, Beth.”

Air rushed into her lungs and back to her brain, restoring reason. Beth shook her head. “I’m not… I don’t…” She wasn’t the type of woman to take a lover lightly, and never on a first date, but for the briefest moment she considered it.

“I’m not ready.”

“Any more ready and we’d combust.” Something in her expression must have conveyed that her mind was set because he sighed, placed a final, brief kiss on her lips and took a strained step back. “I had to ask. At least now I know it’ll be on your mind.”

Oh, it’ll be on my mind. Probably to the point of distraction.

“At least say you’ll have dinner with me tomorrow, we’ll do something casual, maybe catch a movie.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it, just okay? I don’t have to harass you into it this time?”

“Not this time.” A small smile played across her face.

“I guess I’ll have to kiss you more often, especially if it’s going to make you more accommodating.” He smiled and bent his head. “Maybe I should try it again and see if I can’t change your mind about tonight…”

Beth laughed as she dodged to the right. “Such an ego. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She unlocked the car, but Braden pulled the door open before she got the chance.

“I’ll call you when I’m done with work, probably around six, if that works.”

“Sure.” She tossed her purse on the passenger seat and clicked her seat belt in place. “We can meet at Angie’s.” When she turned the ignition, Braden leaned up, placed a quick kiss on her cheek then closed the door. Beth rolled down her window as she put the Jeep in reverse, “Do you need a lift to your car?”

“Nah, I’m close. Good night, Beth.”

“Good night.”

Palms damp against the steering wheel and nerves still singing she curb checked as she pulled out of the parking lot. She was certain she saw Braden laughing in her rearview mirror when she curb checked pulling onto the street.

***

A distant peal of thunder resonated up the street. W
here the fuck was she?
Markko pushed smoke through his nostrils and tossed the butt of his cigarette to the ground where it joined a dozen others. He’d tracked the Williams bitch to where she worked downtown and located her car in one of the few public lots close to her job. He’d toyed with the idea of going into the café to see if this was the right woman or not, but the last thing he wanted was an open confrontation. If this was the bitch he was looking for, he didn’t want to confront her in a coffee shop in the middle of the afternoon. No. They were going to play this game on his terms, on his schedule. He’d expose himself when she would be alone and vulnerable, and when she would feel the most violated.