Crystals Read Online Free Page A

caused him
to wipe all expression from his face. And the insistent thump of his heart
prompted him to order another drink.
    Her comeback at him
when he’d told her she couldn’t go into the strip club had almost made him
smile. She was right, he could be a grim-faced bastard, but that was the way he
liked it. That was how he kept people at bay. The question was—did he want to
do the same with her.
    Somehow he’d
managed to miss the fact that Crystal wasn’t alone. Her cousin Fern stood beside her searching the crowd.
    Dizzy had told him
that he was now dating Fern and Shane hoped he hadn’t told her about his
attraction to Crystal. Normally self-assured when it came to dealing with
women, in this instance, he wanted to ease into getting to know her. Having an
audience wasn’t going to make that easy.
    From out of
nowhere, Dizzy appeared beside him. Shane felt his presence, turned, took up
his beer and downed it in five deep swallows. Gas and air exploded from his
mouth just as the women reached him.
    Nice one , Tierney , good first impression , Shane
reprimanded himself. To their credit, the cousins ignored the loud sound.
    “Do you ladies
want a drink?” Dizzy enquired after giving Fern a hello kiss.
    “Sure,” Crystal
answered for them both. “But for goodness sake don’t get us whatever he’s
drinking!”
    Shane’s
embarrassment was complete and heat rushed into his face.
    “Relax Shane, I
was only joking,” Crystal smiled and rubbed his arm to lessen the impact of her
words.
    Her touch,
although light, sent a rush along his spine. And for some reason he wanted her
touch to continue.
    Another thought
hit him. “How do you know me name?” The question came out harsher than he’d
intended, and he immediately regretted it as she withdrew her hand. “Sorry,” he
apologized hoping he hadn’t offended her.
    He knew she heard
him, but she didn’t glance his way. He took hold of her hand and it happened
again. That little tingle that accompanied their touch. She must have felt it
too because she gasped and their gazes collided. Shane withdrew his hand as
though he’d experienced an electric shock.
    “Sorry,” he said
again seriously thinking about leaving. At least that way he would escape his
embarrassment.
    “You’re cute.”
    “Cute!”
    Okay, so far he’d
managed to snap at her, and sound like an absolute idiot. Shane knew his being
here was probably a mistake. But Crystal thought he was cute, so that was a
start, even though the word made him feel like a pet kitten.
    “I know your name
because I saw it on your badge when you were working the door at the club. I’m
glad you came out of that brawl okay. I have to admit I was a little worried
about you.”
    “Why?”
    “Well… those guys
were sort of rough looking and you’re, um… not that big.”
    “I’m six-one!”
    He was offended.
He shouldn’t be, but he was. He was certain she’d been just about to call him
skinny.
    “Um, yes. Tall is
good.”
    The sound of
laughter coming from beside them pulled his attention.
    Fern and Dizzy
were watching and making no attempt to hide their amusement. He’d had enough.
This meeting was a huge mistake.
    Surging to his
feet, he misjudged Crystal’s proximity and nearly knocked her over. Catching
her before she could fall, he lifted her off the floor. They blinked at each
other for a few moments before he carefully set her down. Without a backward
glance, he walked away.
    Standing outside,
for the first time since her arrival, Shane felt the heat leave his face. No
woman had ever affected him in this way and he realized leaving so abruptly was
a mistake. Turning around, he headed back inside and marched up to Crystal, who
still stood by the bar.
    “I know this
hasn’t been my finest moment, but I’d like to take you out, and show you that I
do have some social graces.”
    She didn’t
respond, and he knew he’d done it again. Made a fool of himself in front of
her, Dizzy and Fern. About to