Hide My Memories: A Romantic Suspense Thriller Series (Hide Me Series Book 1) Read Online Free

light in his eyes. "Yeah, but sometimes I get lonely. That cutie over there has been giving me eyes all night long." He tipped his beer towards the end of the bar. West glanced that way and saw a quintessential cop chaser. Medium height, brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, athletic build. Heck, she might even be a cop. "You should talk to her Blaise, I'm good."
    Blaise gave him an appraising look. "You sure?"
    West took a long swallow of his beer. "I'm positive."
    Blaise tapped his beer bottle against West's beer bottle and ambled down to the end of the bar, flashing the woman his best smile. West watched him go wearily. If only it was that easy .
    The door to the bar opened and the movement caught his eye. Two women walked in, one he'd seen before, here probably on another one of Blaise’s outings . Her friend caught his eye. Mostly because she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but in this noisy bar. But also because she was beautiful and fresh in an innocent way. She was slim and petite, probably no taller than 5'5". Her lovely auburn hair flowed about her face in soft waves. She held herself with confidence and strength. But her eyes, her eyes were fascinating. They were haunted. As haunted as West felt. Instantly West found himself intrigued. Who was she? What was haunting her? Why was she here if she didn't want to be here? Well that last one was probably obvious. Her friend dragged her here. Her friend was into cops. But she wasn't? The woman walked straight in and sat down at the nearest table with her friend, with barely a glance around. No, she wasn't.
    West felt an interest pique inside him that he couldn't remember feeling in years. Certainly not since Stephanie died. And probably long before that.
    He laughed suddenly at the irony. Was it finally long enough - only seconds after he’d declared it not long enough? Had Blaise done him a favor by bringing him here tonight? Was he ready to be interested in women again?
    The thoughts flew through his mind as he watched the pretty young woman at the far table. Well, maybe he wasn’t ready for a girlfriend, but he could talk to her couldn't he?
    The thought created a kind of anxiety in him. He hadn't dated in almost a decade. He wouldn't remember the first thing about it. She certainly was pretty though, and his desire to talk to her only increased when he saw her order a beer. The woman finally looked around the room, a kind of weariness in her eyes. West watched her, still fascinated. Almost immediately, her eyes found his, catching him staring at her. He could see her pain from here and it floored him. He wondered why and how it had come about, and for the first time in two years, the shadow of his own pain was lifted from him as concern for another took its place.

Chapter 5
     
    Katerina tipped her beer and took a long swallow, enjoying the pungent taste on her tongue. She hadn't had a beer in ages. She didn't feel any better yet, but it was only her first drink. The images still rolled around in the back of her mind and she did her best to ignore them. She said a silent prayer that they would go away soon and tipped her beer bottle again, finishing her first beer in only a few moments.
    Liquid brown eyes. Blonde ponytail. Red lipstick.
    "You go, Kat," Jordan said appreciatively, signaling the waiter right back to their table and ordering Katerina another beer. "This is just what you need."
    I hope so , Katerina thought taking the second beer. As she looked around the room she noticed a man at the bar watching her. Great, just what she wanted to deal with tonight. She locked eyes with him, hoping to shame him into looking away, but as their gazes met a kind of calm settled over her. She gasped involuntarily at the connection. Suddenly she didn't want him to look away.
    Something blocked her vision and she looked up. A man, walking towards the table, his eyes on Jordan. He was tall and broad through the shoulders. She wanted to look around him, but restrained