Dawson's Stand (Welcome to Covendale Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

shot, deliberately giving him a generous view of her cleavage. And for the first time he could remember, nothing in him reacted to the sight. At least now he could tell Mark honestly that not every date he went on ended in a bed, because there was no way he’d sleep with Dean Wesley’s ex-girlfriend. Even before she’d make it clear how she felt. She could strip naked right now and he’d barely notice.
    It was going to be a long damned night.
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    It wasn’t quite the same as the Sidecars she’d had back in her other life, but it was close. Maybe even better, since Matt had taken the trouble to figure it out for her. Kyla was almost finished with her second drink when the bartender came over and said, “I think I’m getting the hang of it. How was that?”
    “Wonderful,” she said with a smile. She’d made the right choice taking a taxi here, because she was feeling the effects of the alcohol now. A little dizzy and lightheaded, a bit thick in the tongue. But glad she’d come out tonight and kept her promise to Ralph. “You said they have…bourbon in them, right?”
    “That’s right. Only we generally call it whiskey.”
    “Huh. Whiskey.” She took another sip, and a dim recollection surfaced in her mind. “You know, I think they’re supposed to be made with brandy.”
    Matt laughed. “You’re not wrong,” he said. “From what I read, brandy’s traditional but bourbon’s common. And we’re pretty common around here.” He winked and hooked a thumb at the liquor shelves behind the bar. “Gentleman Jack is about as fancy as we get.”
    “Gentleman Jack?”
    “Yeah, it’s Jack Daniels with a monocle.”
    That drew a giggle from her. “Well, I like it.”
    She looked down at her drink. Only about half an inch of liquid remained, and she decided to finish it off with a silent toast. To freedom , she thought as she lifted the glass, and a light shudder drilled down her spine. The reality of the situation still hadn’t penetrated completely. Was she really rid of him forever?
    It was hard to believe, but she had to hold onto that idea. It was the only way she could keep her sanity intact.
    With a faint smile, she drained the last of the Sidecar. She felt like she’d been living on autopilot for the past year, and someone had just handed her a brand new set of controls. She’d set goals and accomplished them. Have two drinks. Talk to strangers. As long as she took things one step at a time, she might actually be able to make this work.
    Matt collected her glass when she set it down. “Need a refill?”
    “No, thank you. That’s my limit.” She suddenly thought of Gage and their interrupted toast. She did wonder what he would’ve wanted to drink to. Absently, she glanced over in the direction he’d gone with Jenny.
    And spotted him standing beside a pool table, staring straight at her.
    Her breath caught. She turned away fast, but not soon enough to stop the flush that warmed her face. She’d never seen a look that intense—one she could feel from across the room. It should’ve scared the hell out of her.
    Maybe it did. But she thought maybe it was just a little thrilling, too. If he didn’t have a girlfriend, she might even be interested in getting to know him better. But he did. In fact, she was probably reading something into the look that just wasn’t there. He’d already said he was just trying to be friendly.
    “Hey, uh, Kyla?”
    Matt’s voice startled her. She’d forgotten the bartender was still there. “I’m sorry,” she said. “Did you say something I missed?”
    “No, but…” He sighed. “Do you mind a little friendly advice?”
    “I guess not.”
    “You’ll hear about it sooner or later, so you might as well know sooner.” He nodded toward the pool tables. “Thing is, you really don’t want to get involved with Gage Dawson.”
    At first she was shocked, and started wondering if she’d actually spoken her thoughts out loud. Maybe she was