The Land of Rabbits (Long Shot Love Duet #1) Read Online Free Page B

tap the table. “No secrets.” Tap. “These evenings are planned.” Tap .
    “Okay.” I observe the couples dining at each table and try to think of a new subject. I don’t want to ruin her night. “You’re next.”
    “What?”
    “Everyone’s taken. You’re the last one.”
    “Huh.” There’s an amplified pitch in her voice and increased breaths. “How’s my hair?” She bends over and fluffs it, jerking her head upward for fuller body. “My lipstick okay?”
    I’m amused by her sudden enthusiasm, an instant change. My aunt’s pretty mellow, but becomes crazed when she drinks... and I guess when she’s about to get laid, too. “Your lipstick’s perfect. It matches your fingernails.”
    “Makeup?”
    “No smudges, fresh and modest. I think you look good.”
    She drops her shoulders with an open mouth. “Are you sure? Or do you think I look like a slut?”
    “You are a slut.” I laugh. “All three of you are.”
    “Phweeep!” Jess whistles, getting our attention then motioning toward the bar.
    “Oh boy, my pulse is racing. I can’t turn around. Is he there? Tell me what he looks like.”
    “Dark outfit, stylish, clean-cut, and he’s got a gun. Who is it?”
    “Shaved head?”
    “Uh-huh, did you pick a cop?”
    “His name’s Sean. He’s been my fantasy heartthrob for years.”
    “Hey, girl,” he calls out, crossing his arms with his feet apart in an assertive stance. “Come talk to me.”
    My hand’s patted and under a whale of a breath, she says, “Here goes nothing.”
    “Have fun.”
    “Lay off the booze,” she orders, slipping a mint into her mouth and fixing a twisted bra strap on her way to the bar. She gets a high-five from Jess and raised glasses from the women she passes. Her smile’s wide, face vibrant, and Sean’s thrilled. He... holy shit.
    “Nice!” Jess yells, as he makes a move. No handshake. No hello. Nadine’s hugged and they suck face. That fast. Instant contact.
    Her glass slips from her hand, shattering on the stone patio as her black heel lifts behind her back. It’s like a classic ‘40s movie kiss.
    “Totally nice!” Jess hoots.
    Their lips unlock and the act’s amplified with an overstated fanning of her face, in need of a cool down. He grips her ass and she’s escorted to a table, far away from Brian.
    I’m surprised they didn’t skip dinner and go straight to her room to fuck.
    Sean’s hypnotism over Nadine is instant, Tyler’s cackle counters Jess’s boisterous laugh, and the black cat’s thigh is shrouded by Brian’s hefty hand. They’ve disappeared for the night. Spellbound. Lost with their play dates.
    I’m left with three vacant chairs and an empty bottle of wine, plus Roxanne’s watchful eye—that woman’s starting to creep me out. She’s off to the side, leaning against the building with a cigarette hanging from her mouth, every few minutes flicking the ashes into the darkening sky. Her looming presence makes me uneasy. She blows smoke toward Quinn and the other servers as they come and go through an exterior door—the end of her cigarette glowing with each inhale.
    Staring at me.
    Her chin is up.
    Never turning away.
    Intimidating.
    She’s a vamp.
    “Stop,” I murmur, stabbing the lettuce in frustration. This is so uncomfortable. I push the plate away and lift the empty bottle of wine, twisting it in the air. She needs a distraction and I’d like one final glass for the night. And not a drop like the last serving. More please, I mouth.
    But the response is from Quinn, searching for a bottle behind the bar.
    “Make it quick.” Her raspy, domineering voice instructs, getting no response. “Did you hear me, Quinn?” The cigarette’s smothered under her heel before she heads over and clutches his arm. “She didn’t pay.”
    “I hope she doesn’t,” he says, changing her ruling expression to anger.
    “Don’t disrespect me.” Her jaw clenches. “Not here, not now, not ever.”
    “Fuck off.”
    There’s a short