Chapter 8 #3
Isa shrugged. “What can I say? I like nice things.”
Nova grinned, her gaze sweeping over Locke with obvious feminine appreciation before returning to Isa. “I can see that.”
Isa chuckled as Nova moved off to get the bourbons.
Locke dug cash out of his pocket then extended it over Isa’s shoulder so she could see it as he bent to her ear. “Here.”
She turned and studied him, her face close to his. He wondered if she was going to argue. If she did, he’d be putting a stop to that with a kiss, considering that her mouth was right fucking there.
He couldn’t decide if he was surprised or disappointed when she took the money with a quiet, “Thanks.”
He tucked a few more bills into the glass filled with tips then went back to watching Isa’s back.
Nova returned and set a squat glass filled with golden amber in front of him and one that included a round ball of ice in front of Isa. “Enjoy.”
Isa handed over the cash, though she held on to it when Nova went to pull it away. “Just five minutes, Nova. That’s it.”
Nova and Isa stared at each other for a long moment, then the older woman inclined her head. “I can give you five. Go grab a table.”
Isa let go of the cash, and Nova headed back to the register. Isa picked up her drink then slipped off the stool. Standing in front of Locke, she said, “Come on—let’s get a table.”
He picked up his drink and stayed at her side as they moved through the crowd.
Finding a table on the second level wasn’t easy, as they were few and far between and in high demand.
He spotted a group near the back wall that looked as if they were getting ready to leave, and he touched Isa’s spine to silently guide her over.
They were almost there when Locke slid past Isa to intercept an incoming trio and set his drink down on the tall table. The trio moved on.
Isa joined him and made room for their drinks by nudging the empty glasses and flameless candle to the side.
He put his back to the wall then looped an arm around Isa.
He pulled her in until she stood in front of him with the high-top table next to them.
With one hand at her hip and the other around his drink, he settled in to wait for Nova.
Next to him, Isa sipped her bourbon, her body stiff with tension.
He picked up his glass and brought it to his nose, where he caught hints of toffee and orange and something sweet.
He leaned into Isa, ignoring how she stilled as he put his mouth near her ear. “Relax, reinita.”
Her glass froze halfway to her lips, and he heard her breath catch as she turned to give him a startled look.
A little amused at her reaction to his endearment, he touched the rim of his glass to hers. “?Salud!” He held her gaze as he took a sip, and she did the same. A bold blend of candied almonds and rich cocoa hit his tongue. He murmured, “Nice.”
Isa slowly lowered her glass, her lips curving up, and a bit of her stiffness drifted away.
The urge to bend in and taste the bourbon glistening on her lips beat strong and hard in time with the music.
Without breaking eye contact, he set his glass down then cupped his hand around the back of her neck to bring her closer.
Anticipation thrummed through him as an echoing desire darkened her eyes, her tongue darting out to swipe over her lower lip, her drink caught between them, the spicy bite of her natural scent deepening.
He dipped his head and subtly inhaled the heady aroma of vanilla-touched cinnamon, letting it twine deep in his core, where a dark hunger woke on a growl.
Her lips parted, offering an invitation he was all too happy to accept, but before he could, the moment was broken.
“Should I come back?”
Unable to stop a frustrated snarl as color rose under Isa’s cheeks and her lashes swept down, Locke moved just his eyes to see that Nova had joined them. The woman stared unapologetically back, her eyes wide with faux innocence.
“No,” Isa said huskily as she pressed the hand with the glass against his chest.
He heeded her silent request, letting her go and giving her room.
Nova watched the interplay with unconcealed amusement. She set a glass with ice water on the table and took up a position on the other side. “You wanted to talk, chica. Talk quick because Mandi can get pissy if I leave her alone too long.”
Isa turned to him. “Babe, can you give us a few?”
Not the question he’d expected. He studied her and caught the warning in her eyes.
To get Nova to talk, Isa needed privacy, but he had no intention of missing a word.
He dipped his chin in silent acknowledgment, picked up his drink, and moved off to the side just far enough to preserve the illusion of privacy.
Then he let his magic off its leash. With the ease of practice, he split his attention between the movements of the roving bouncers and those of the surrounding crowds, while his magic shifted the air currents to filter out unnecessary background noise until the conversation at the table took center stage.