It was a huge step and a giant leap of faith. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, but she nodded. “Okay.” She took another mouthful of coffee, reluctant to leave the rest of it behind.
Rabb smiled and opened the door. “You won’t be sorry.”
She wasn’t so sure of that, but it was too late to change her mind. Rabb locked the door and motioned to the blue door across the hall. She squared her shoulders and marched up to it.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Rabb murmured before he gave the door two heavy thumps with the side of his fist.
She hated that he’d seen her apprehension and tried to smile, but it felt wooden and forced. Rabb leaned down and kissed her just as the door opened. Eliza wanted to groan, but managed to swallow it in time. This was so not a good start.
She looked at the man standing in the doorway. He was taller than Rabb by a few inches. Leaner too. But they shared the same eyes and their features were similar enough for her to know without an introduction that this was Rabb’s brother.
“This is Eliza Hart,” Rabb told the man. Then he turned to her. “This is my brother Nevar.”
She stuck out her hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Nevar took her hand and gave it a brief shake. “Nice to meet you too. What’s this all about, Rabb?”
“Let us in and I’ll tell you,” Rabb countered.
She elbowed him in the stomach. Not that she hurt him. No, his stomach was like a slab of steel. But she did get his attention. “What?”
Really, the man was obtuse. “Maybe your brother is busy and doesn’t need or want company right now.” She could feel her cheeks getting warmer by the second.
Rabb snorted. “If he was that busy he wouldn’t have answered the damn door.”
Eliza buried her face in her hands and groaned.
“What’s wrong, Eliza?” Rabb asked.
Nevar threw back his head and laughed. “As usual, you’re like a bull in a china shop, Rabb. You’re embarrassing the lady.”
Hands on his hips, Rabb studied her. “Am I embarrassing you?”
“I’m not answering that,” she countered. It wasn’t too late for her to run. She didn’t need her knapsack or coat. There was a shelter not far from here where she could probably get a replacement for both. It wasn’t as if she had anything of real value in her bag. What little money she had was stuffed in her jeans pocket for safekeeping.
Nevar stepped back and opened the door wide. “Come on in, Eliza.”
Her stomach churned and her knees felt weak, but she stepped into the apartment. It was exactly like Rabb’s in the layout, but it was decorated differently. A Christmas tree stood in one corner of the living room, its pine scent perfuming the air. The radio played low in the background. It felt warm and cozy.
A pretty woman with short brown hair and blue eyes smiled when she saw Rabb. Her expression turned curious when her gaze landed on Eliza. She was dressed casually in jeans and a sweater, but her clothing was good quality. Eliza tugged on the hem of her sweater, feeling more ragged by the second.
“Hi, I’m Allison.”
“Eliza.” She stuck out her hand. “Sorry to barge in without calling.” She shot Rabb a glare that should have scorched him. Instead, the damn man just grinned at her.
“Don’t worry about it,” Allison told her. “Do you want some coffee?”
“That’s okay.” As much as she wanted it, she didn’t want to be a bother.
“I need to run some errands. Can I leave Eliza here with you?”
Shame filled her. She felt like a stray puppy that needed watching so she didn’t pee on the carpet. “This really isn’t necessary,” she began.
“No problem,” Nevar told his brother.
Eliza frowned at both men. Nevar was proving to be like his brother in more than just appearance. Like Rabb, he steamrolled over her objection.
“Why don’t we have some coffee and chat,” Allison suggested. “And let the men talk among themselves.”
Shooting Rabb another glare, one that promised retribution for his embarrassing her, she then turned to Allison. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love a cup of coffee.”
Chapter Six
Rabb wanted to go to Eliza, wrap his arms around her and apologize. He knew she was embarrassed, and that had never been his intention.
“Who is she, Rabb?” Nevar asked. He kept his voice low and one eye on the women.
Rabb knew his brother was curious, but it wasn’t his story to tell. At least not now. He didn’t have time. He also didn’t want Eliza more pissed with him than she already was.
“She’s important. That’s all you need to know. Keep her in sight while I’m gone.” Rabb checked his watch. He was running late and he hated to be late. “I’ll be back before the bar opens.” He glanced once more at Eliza, but she was talking to Allison. He had to believe she’d still be here when he got back.
He started to leave, thought better of it. She was annoyed with him as it was. He didn’t need to make her any angrier.
Eliza watched him as he walked over to her but didn’t speak. Instead, she tilted her head to one side and waited. “Listen,” he told her. “I’m going now but I’ll be back as quick as I can.”
Then he kissed her. It was fast and over almost before it got started. He hadn’t planned to but she was just so damn pretty he couldn’t help himself.
They stared at one another for a long moment. Rabb left before he did something even more stupid—like carry her back to his place and take her to bed—and hurried down the stairs. He turned up his collar when he hit the outside and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets. They hadn’t had much snow yet, but it was cold.
His stride lengthened as he hurried to the corner. His first order of business was to get Eliza a phone. She needed the ability to contact the police if necessary. As much as he wanted to keep her in his sight 24/7, he knew that just wouldn’t be possible.
As for the second order of business, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through his contacts until he found the number he was looking for. He made the call and listened while it rang once, twice. “Come on,” he muttered.
“Archer.” The voice was abrupt.
“It’s Rabb.” He looked both ways before darting across the street without waiting for the light to change.
“Hey, buddy. Long time, no hear.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. The club keeps me hopping.” His ears were starting to freeze and he really wanted another cup of coffee. Thankfully there was a café a few doors away. He hurried and held the door for a woman loaded down with a takeaway tray filled with cups. She nodded her thanks and he ducked inside. The warmth of the place surrounded him. He should have worn his hat and gloves. It was a lot colder than he’d thought it would be.
Just imagining Eliza sleeping outside in this weather sickened him. What if she hadn’t come to see him last night? Instead of spending the night in his bed, she would have been curled up in an alleyway somewhere or in a crowded shelter.
“Rabb, you still there?” Archer asked.
He got in the short line up at the counter. “Yeah, sorry about that. I ducked inside to grab a coffee.” He placed his order when the girl behind the counter asked, and then returned to his call. “Listen, I need to hire you to do something for me.”
“You need a P.I.? What for?”
“I need you to check on something for me.”
Rabb paid and then moved off to the side to wait for his order. He could hear Archer rummaging around and knew he was searching for pen and paper. Yes, he used electronic gadgets for his work, but Archer still preferred to take his notes the old-fashioned way.
“Shoot,” his buddy told him.
“Eliza Hart. She’s a friend of mine who’s had some trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
Rabb took his coffee, nodded his thanks and left the café. “She has a stalker and he put her in the hospital.” He knew Eliza would have
a fit if she knew he was doing this, but he didn’t care. His number one priority was keeping her safe.
Archer whistled long and low. “That so? What else can you tell me?”
“Detective Mitchell Zurkowski is handling the case, but the stalker is a slick son of a bitch who always has an alibi. His name is Jason Ware. I’m not sure where he’s working now, but it will likely be in the financial district somewhere.”
“You sure this woman isn’t lying? If the police haven’t pressed charges because of the attack, then maybe he didn’t do it.”
“I’m sure.” He knew Eliza well enough to know she wasn’t lying about this. She’d lost everything—her home, her dreams and almost her life.
“I’ll give the detective a call and then go from there. Anything else you can tell me?”
Rabb sipped his coffee. “She worked with me at Bruno’s.”
“Ahh.” The amusement in Archer’s voice had him tensing. “Pretty, is she?”
“Yes, but it’s not like that. He hurt her, Archer. Damn near killed her.”
“I’ll get right on it and get back to you as soon as I know anything,” he promised.
“Thanks. I appreciate it.” Rabb ended the call and tucked his phone back into his pocket. He knew his friend probably thought he was nuts, but Rabb didn’t care.
He strode down the sidewalk, sipped his coffee and let his mind wander back over last night. The sex had been phenomenal. No doubt about it. He hadn’t had many serious relationships, but he’d always liked the ladies and they’d always liked him. He’d had his fair share of women but no one came close to what he’d shared with Eliza last night.
His dick was semi-erect already, despite the chilling cold. He could practically feel her soft skin beneath his hands and the bite of her nails digging into his shoulders, taste the sweet cream from between her silky thighs and hear her deep moans of pleasure.
Even too thin and not at her best, Eliza put all other women to shame. There was something about her that slammed into his chest and gripped his heart. He didn’t like it, but there was nothing he could do about it.
He’d walked away from her the first time because he’d been a coward. He hated to admit it, but it was true. The pull she had on him had made it easy for him to believe Jason’s lies. He’d wanted some excuse to walk away, to save himself from falling deeper for Eliza, and Jason had given it to him.
Rabb admitted he’d been a fool allowing Jason to play him. It wasn’t an easy admission for him to make, but damned if he was going to make the same mistake twice.
The electronics store came into view and he opened the door. Perfect timing. They’d just opened and the crowds weren’t too bad yet. Any shopping this close to Christmas was risky. He made his way to the phone kiosk and grabbed a clerk’s attention. “I need a phone.”
Eliza traced her finger around the rim of her mug. Both Nevar and Allison were watching her. They were trying to be polite, but there was no denying they were both curious. And why wouldn’t they be? She was a complete stranger and Rabb had not only left her here, but he’d also kissed her in front of them. They had to be wondering what that was all about.
“Look, I’m sorry Rabb dumped me in your lap like this.” She pushed aside the mug. “I’ll just get my things from his place and leave.” His brother probably had a key to Rabb’s place and would let her in long enough to gather her belongings. She had no idea where she would go. Probably the soup kitchen for lunch and then to the shelter early so she could try to get a bed for the night.
“No.” Nevar leaned back in his chair and studied her. “Stay.”
Eliza looked around the apartment, admiring the cozy sectional sofa in the living room area. They were seated around a lovely wood dining table that was large enough to seat six.
“Eliza.” Nevar waited until he had her attention once again. “How do you know Rabb?”
“We used to work together at Bruno’s Bar and Grill.” She didn’t mind sharing that with them.
“Where do you work now?” Nevar asked.
She shrugged. “Nowhere at the moment.” She wanted to sink beneath the table. Damn Rabb for abandoning her here. And damn her for being stupid enough to leave her belongings locked in his place.
“You looking for a job?” Nevar’s scrutiny deepened. Eliza was beginning to feel like a bug under a microscope. It wasn’t a pleasant sensation.
“Leave the poor woman alone, Nevar,” Allison scolded. “Let her have her coffee in peace.”
“I’m not bothering you, am I?” It was almost a challenge.
Eliza thought about denying it, but then she nodded. “Yes. Yes, you are.”
Allison laughed while Nevar looked completely nonplussed. “See I told you,” Allison teased. She turned to Eliza. “I admit I’m as curious as he is. Rabb isn’t the type to just drop a woman off at our door and ask us to look out for her.”
Eliza rubbed her forehead. She was getting a headache. “I should wait for Rabb at his place. You both probably have things to do, places to be.” She wouldn’t take off until he got back but only because she’d given him her promise to stay.
Nevar shook his head. “Not happening. My brother asked me to keep you here.”
“He didn’t really mean it.” Eliza was grasping at straws.
One of Nevar’s brows arched. “Of course he meant it.”
Eliza sighed. “You’re not going to let me go, are you?”
“Nope.” Nevar slung one arm around Allison’s shoulders. “Besides, I can’t wait to see you and Rabb together. I get a feeling there are going to be fireworks.” He checked his watch. “I’ve got to get to work.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Eliza would rather stay busy than wonder what Rabb was doing. Anything to keep her mind off him and her worries.
Nevar studied her and she had a feeling his eagle eyes didn’t miss a thing. “You up for it?”
“Yeah, I’m up for it.” She tired easily, but she could still work. She needed to do something to earn her keep, to repay Rabb for his kindness.
“Okay then.” He pushed away from the table. “Come with me and I’ll show you the club.”
Allison rose. “I’ve got some errands to run this morning, but I’ll be back in a few hours. I’d hang around,” she said almost apologetically, “but I took today off from work so I could finish my Christmas shopping.”
Nevar caught Allison’s shoulders and pulled her against him. Eliza turned away as the two kissed. There was no missing the heat and the love between the two of them. Allison’s ring caught the light and sparkled brightly.
Eliza hated herself for feeling jealous. She wanted what the other woman had. She’d lost her home and her life to Jason. She’d lost the love of her life too. It still hurt her that Rabb had walked away. She knew Jason was a consummate liar, but Rabb should have talked to her.
Last night they’d been as close as two people could be. Her nipples tingled and she was grateful for the layers of clothing covering her. Rabb had made her feel alive for the first time in months, made her remember she was a woman, with a woman’s wants and needs. Up until then, she’d been sexually dead since the last time she’d seen him.
She licked her lips, remembering how his mouth pressed against hers, how he’d licked and nibbled, how his tongue had teased. Her pussy began to throb, a slow, heavy pulse of need. Eliza wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered. He’d gotten under her skin so fast and so deep. She’d tried to protect herself, but Rabb smashed through her defenses without even trying.
“You ready?”
While she’d been daydreaming, Nevar and Allison had finished kissing. Now he was standing next to her waiting. She wondered what he saw when he looked at her? She knew she looked less than her best, but there was nothing she could do about that.
She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. “I’m ready.”
Nevar held the door for her and blew Allison another kiss. “I’ll see you later, Eliza,” Allison called after
her. She didn’t answer, not able to commit to anything at the moment. She might still be here or she might be gone.
Eliza felt as though she was being pulled in two different directions. She wanted to be with Rabb, to have a job and a chance at a life. But with the threat of Jason still hanging over her, she didn’t know how that was possible.
She followed Nevar down the stairs until they hit the foyer at the bottom. The heavy steel door that separated the rest of the building from the bar was locked. He pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked it.
Eliza walked into the place and waited while Nevar opened a panel and turned on the overhead lights. She admitted she was interested to see the place. Sure she’d seen it last night, but she really hadn’t been paying much attention. All her focus had been on Rabb.
Nevar led her down the short hallway, past the office and into the club. “Welcome to Hatter’s.” He lifted a section of the bar and walked behind it.
Eliza meandered around the iron tables, running her fingers over the backs of the chairs and admiring the thick, red velvet padding on the seats. Along the far wall, cozy booths waited for people to fill them. Oversized playing cards were framed and mounted on the walls.
She wandered into the area at the far end. The dance floor was bigger than she’d imagined. The floors were rustic wood in a mellow shade of medium brown. She remembered the area had flashed with red and white lights last night.
She turned and made her way back to the long oak bar. A series of china teapots and cups sat on a glass shelf above the bar. They looked delicate and had to be vintage. They should have looked out of place in a bar, but somehow they fit. The light fixtures that hung over the bar were in the shape of top hats. Brass and glass accents adorned the bar itself, adding a touch of sophistication.
It was whimsical and lovely.
“Well, what do you think?” Nevar asked.
“It’s wonderful. Magical.”
He smiled at her and she caught her breath. He reminded her of Rabb at that moment. “You must be very proud of the place.” Rabb had talked about it often when they’d worked together. It had been his dream to open this place and he’d succeeded.
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