Escape From Obsession Read Online Free Page A

in the picture.
    “That’s awesome. Are these your friends?” she asked.
    “My brothers. We went back two more times after that. Always met up in the same spot on our returns. Thank God we all got back safely,” he said and she sensed the relief in his voice, which was amazing considering it had been so many years ago that the war had happened.
    “I’m sure it was a relief to get there and to see your brothers. Do you get to see them often now?” she asked.
    He smiled and his eyes, somewhat familiar for some strange reason, held hers.
    “I get to see them all the time. We own this place, along with our sons. The name is John Luke.” He offered his hand. She of course shook his hand and smiled.
    “Gia Marie.”
    “You’re not from the South, are ya, darling?”
    “New York actually. I moved out here six months ago.”
    “I’ve never seen you here before with Sammy and the girls.”
    Gia looked over her shoulder to where Sammy and the others were.
    “Yeah, well, they’ve been trying to get me to come here for a while. I guess I’m still trying to get used to Houston. I don’t like crowds really.”
    “I get that way sometimes, too. Saturdays are a bit less rowdy. Not so many business people looking to let off some steam from their offices,” he said then winked.
    She smiled and then she saw that attractive bartender approach and she wondered if Garrett was Luke’s son.
    John followed her line of sight as he turned and Garrett joined them. She noticed a slight limp in Garrett’s walk, but she didn’t stare. He smiled at her as he looked her over. She pulled the small jacket tighter, despite the fact that she suddenly felt very overheated.
    “Here’s one of my sons. Garrett, meet Gia Marie. She’s from New York,” Luke said as he gave them some space.
    “We met at the bar,” he replied and she smiled.
    She watched him closely and there was definitely an attraction. She was about to excuse herself when she felt Sammy’s hand on her shoulder, turning her.
    “Excuse me, guys, I need a moment,” Sammy said and Gia wondered what was up. Sammy bent slightly to whisper into Gia’s ear. “I sat in something and I need your jacket to wrap around my waist.”
    “Oh, of course,” Gia said then removed her jacket and handed it to Sammy.
    “Thank you,” Sammy said then waved and walked away.
    When she turned back toward John Luke and Garrett, only Garrett was standing there and he was looking her arms over. She knew she was defined from her martial arts training, but she didn’t like to show off.
    “So, how long have you been living in Houston?”
    “Six months,” she said then swallowed hard. She felt a bit of anxiety speaking with him. She didn’t want him to think she was interested or flirting, but he did seem so nice. Plus considering how crowded it was, he wasn’t trying to invade her space and take advantage. But, he held her gaze and she found herself staring just as intently into his eyes as well.
    She started to look at the pictures again and began to walk farther along the hallway. She didn’t like being alone with a man and especially one she didn’t know.
    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you here before.”
    She turned to look at him and he was staring at her as if he were trying to read her mind. She felt his masculinity and something told her that this man was not a man to be trifled with. It was something beyond his big muscles and had something to do with the darkness of his eyes and an almost sad, lonely expression.
    “This is my first time here. It’s nice. Your dad said he and your brothers and his brothers own the place.”
    Garrett chuckled. “Yeah, he likes to talk.”
    “Well, I’m certain that’s a plus considering that he owns a bar and restaurant. People like to go places where staff and owners are friendly, not rude,” she added just as a few rowdy guys walked by and nearly bumped her. Garrett placed himself in front of her, taking the brunt of the bump but