Hard Justice(3)

"Wine a few times at galas, but that was long ago." Though she still smiled, shadows suddenly saddened her expression.

Justice had the awful urge to comfort her. He resisted with stoic effort. "How can it have been long ago when you're so young?"

"Twenty-four isn't that young, and if you want me to be specific, I'll say that I haven't had wine since the night I turned nineteen. Besides, it isn't wine I want to try." The impish grin returned. "I want a beer."

"Beer?" She made beer sound scandalous. Every girl he knew occasionally had a beer, even if she didn't particularly like it.

"Yes."

Justice rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, well, you can do that at every bar everywhere."

She laughed. "Let's see. I'd also like to dance. Maybe chat with new people. And I want to have fun."

How the hell did she figure to do any of that when her daddy didn't want anyone within spitting distance of her? A raindrop fell, then a few more...and Justice knew the skies would open up soon. He took her arm and tried to urge her into the backseat of the SUV.

She resisted. "I'll ride up front."

Taken by surprise, he did his parrot act and repeated, "Up front?" Clients never rode up front. Definitely not young female clients.

She stared at him with those big soul-sucking eyes. "Unless that's a problem for you."

The only problem, so far, was his reaction to her. But hell, as the client, she got to call the shots, so... "Suit yourself." He switched direction, closing the back door and opening the front.

The raindrops began pelting the ground in earnest, so she hurriedly seated herself.

Jogging around the hood, Justice narrowly avoided the sudden deluge. He checked that Fallon had on her seat belt, then, instead of driving, he returned to her earlier question. "There are a bunch of bars in the area. I don't know much about them, though."

"Really? I thought most guys...that is..." Her cheeks pinked. "You don't drink?"

"Sure. But usually I head back to Warfield to Rowdy's when I want to drink and relax with friends."         

     



 

"Rowdy's?"

"A bar that's gotten popular with fighters."

"Fighters who are your friends?" she asked with interest.

He eyed her warily. "Yeah."

"I'd love to go there sometime."

A hint? Was she another groupie hoping to hook up with a fighter? God knew they came from all age ranges, backgrounds and interests. "It's a no-go for tonight." Hopefully Ms. Fancy-pants wouldn't insist. "I'd need to ensure first that things aren't too chaotic before I take you there. The bar has some rambunctious parties."

She sighed. "Yes, I suppose tonight we should stick closer to home."

"As to that, I should have been told your plans in advance so I could scope out any place you wanted to go."

Brows coming together, she said, "I've never heard that rule."

She sounded a bit stiff, and Justice bit back his smile. "Yeah, well, now you know."

The frown intensified. "Going forward, I'll plan accordingly."

"Good." Rain made the windows opaque and insulated them from everything outside the car. He could practically hear his own heartbeat, could definitely hear her soft breathing. The sense of intimacy made him uneasy. "So what are we doing now?"

"I'll settle for a more local bar. Anyway, it's probably a good idea that we don't travel too far, just in case."

"In case what?"

"In case we don't suit." She gave him a quick, firm glance. "If all goes well tonight, well then, there's a lot more I'd like to schedule."

He'd already been told that when he took the assignment, but still he repeated, "More?"

She ducked her face and pressed her hands over her skirt, smoothing an imaginary crease. "More...like every night? Did no one tell you this could be a month-long detail?"

"Yeah, I knew it." Why was she being so shy now? "I was told we'd be getting acquainted, but I thought most of that would be at your house with your mom and dad."

She laughed. "Nooo."

Yeah, it'd probably be impossible with those two hawks overhead. "So here's how it usually works. You tell me where you want to go, I find the best route to get there, then scope out the place in advance to ensure I know the different exits, if it's secure, stuff like that."

She flapped a hand. "That's not necessary. Honest. I mean, I suppose that makes sense for most people who need protection. But overall, my parents just wanted to ensure I could explore safely. There will be plenty of other people at the bar, right? Lots of people who visit daily?"

"Sure." Long as he didn't take her to a dive, it shouldn't be a problem.

"Why don't you pick one, and we'll give it a shot?" She grinned. "What could go wrong?"

Justice didn't bother answering. If the alarm bells going off in his head were any indication, he figured they'd both find out soon enough.



FALLON REJECTED JUSTICE'S first two choices. One was too swanky for the way she'd dressed, and the other looked more like a club. She wanted a regular, everyday bar with everyday people and, finally, on his third try, she agreed with his choice.

A multitude of fluorescent signs filled the big front window of The Broken Pony. People loitered outside, some openly making out, others smoking, groups talking. The parking lot across the street nearly overflowed.

Because it was still pouring, Fallon said, "Drop me off at the door, please." The thought of walking in there alone made her breathless with nerves, but otherwise she'd be soaked, so-

"No can do," Justice said. "I promised to stick like glue, remember?" He swung the SUV into the lot, drove up one row then down another until he found an empty space a good distance from the bar.

"I'll get wet."

He paused in the process of turning off the car, blew out a long breath, then said evenly, "I've got an umbrella."

He reached around to the backseat, coming very close to her as he did so.

And oh, God, he smelled good. Not like aftershave, just like...man. Fallon tried to take a deep breath without being too obvious.         

     



 

He gave her a look as he settled back, now with a black umbrella. "You okay?"

She nodded fast. "Yes."

Without looking convinced, he said, "Stay put. I'll come around."

After pocketing the keys, he opened the door, popped up the umbrella and circled the hood to her side of the car.

By necessity, she had to step out very near him to stay shielded under the umbrella. He didn't bother trying to protect himself from the storm.

"Come under with me," she insisted.

He hesitated.

"Please, Justice? I'll feel terrible otherwise."

Reluctantly, he moved up against her back, his arm around her as he tilted the umbrella to block the worst of the rain blowing toward them. "C'mon."

With every step, their bodies touched. She could smell him again, a rich masculine musk, and better than that, she felt his incredible heat.

Why, even if the bar turned out to be a bust, this alone was a wonderful new experience.

He kept her sheltered from the storm until they'd stepped into the bar, then he turned her so her back was against a wall and he stood in front. While closing the umbrella, he visually scoured the room.

Teasing, Fallon asked, "Safe to proceed?"

"Don't be a smart-ass." His grin took the sting from the comment. "How about those seats at the bar?"

The men to the left of the empty stools looked like a rough motorcycle club, and the men to the right could have been a college fraternity group. She loved the differences. "Yes, please."

"It's crowded, so stay close." He pulled her around in front of him and left one big, warm hand on her shoulder, guiding her as they maneuvered through the crowds. Soon as they reached the bar, he mean mugged the men on either side of them until they turned away.

"So what's it to be?" He helped her onto the high round stool. "Still want a beer?"

She could smell the alcohol in the air. In the background, loud music played. Belatedly, Fallon realized that she probably should have eaten something before now, but earlier she'd been too nervous. "Yes, please."

"You sure? 'Cuz you don't look sure."

Trying for more confidence, she said, "Beer."

"All right, then." He ordered one.

"You aren't going to drink with me?"

"I'm on duty."

"Working for me, yes? So I insist." She leaned close to ensure he'd hear her, then whispered, "I'll feel less awkward."

His gaze went from her eyes to her mouth, then away. "Hey, if you insist, who am I to argue?" He asked for another beer.

The man to her right glanced at her again, then turned for a closer look. Fallon didn't smile. She must have been too surprised by the attention.

The young man glanced at Justice next-then quailed. When she looked at Justice, she saw only an innocent expression, one brow raised. But she wasn't buying it, especially since the man turned back to his friends, spoke low, and together they vacated their seats.

"Hey," Fallon complained. "I was going to talk to him."

Justice snorted. "It wasn't talk he wanted."

"How do you know?"