Hearts on Fire 9: Her Shadows of Light(8)

“I really don’t date.”

“Why? Bad experience?” Pat asked as he placed his hand on her hip.

“Something like that.”

“Well, think about it. Maybe give me an answer tomorrow when I pick you up to bring you by the garage.”

“You don’t have to do that, Pat,” she told him, and he smiled.

“But I want to see you again. So does Tobin.”

Her eyes widened, and she looked at Tobin, still wearing that serious expression.

“We’ll be at the Station near the boardwalk, Saturday from five o’clock on. Meet us there. You can bring some friends, too, if you feel safer.”

“Oh, like to meet you and some other friends?” she asked.

Pat clutched her chin, and she totally focused on him.

“Oh, there’s something you should know about us.”

She swallowed hard.

“We like to share, and that means everything,” Tobin said. Her lips parted, and Pat brushed his thumb along her lower lip.

“I would love to kiss you right now, and so would Tobin, but I don’t want to scare you. You trusted us enough to let us walk you upstairs. Trust the attraction you feel for both of us and join us at the Station on Saturday.”

She looked from Tobin to Pat, feeling aroused and overwhelmed at the same time. What were the chances that two ménage encounters could be offered weeks apart? If this went somewhere, if she could forget about Reece and Rusty and the amazing time and connection she had with them, maybe something with Tobin and Pat could happen and mean something real. Could she take that chance and possibly make a huge mistake?

“Come on and say yes,” he pushed. “I’ll pick you up for the ride tomorrow morning at eight, okay?”

“Okay, but let me think about Saturday.”

“Hope you say yes, Bri,” Tobin said, and Pat stepped back, brought her hand up to his lips, and kissed the top.

“See you in the morning. Thanks for the tour.”

He winked, and she opened the door and watched them leave. She closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it.

“Holy shit. I can’t believe it’s happening again. If I do go Saturday, I’m staying away from the tequila, no matter what Jenny and the others say.”





Chapter 3




He watched her from across the street. She was smiling and laughing with that dick who’d helped her with her car last night. That should have been him. He was the one who’d slashed her tire. He was supposed to show up and rescue her. He slammed his hand down on the steering wheel. The dick couldn’t keep his hands off of her. He offered her a hand to get out of his truck then caught her as she nearly fell from the seat because the truck was so high. He’d taken advantage of the move, pulling Brighid close to his body and staring down into her gorgeous green eyes as she held on to his forearms.

“Fuck. She’s mine. All mine, you fucking dick, whoever you are.” He felt his temper rise, as if his blood boiled within his veins. That fucking cop better think twice about going after her. Cops were always having accidents. It would be a shame if the Good Samaritan had one, too.

He gripped the steering wheel tighter. How had he become so instantly obsessed with her? She was so different from the others. None of them compared to her beauty or to the power of her presence. He watched her. She had a sexy figure. He could imagine having her in his bed, tied up, arms stretched above her head, legs wide and tied to the posts. He could take her anytime, anywhere, he wanted. He’d saved enough money to be able to live without working for quite some time. She would be his pet, the symbol of his talent, and she would beg for his touch. Beg for the touch of the flame against her skin that only he could place against her. In the darkness, with only the light of the flame in her sight, with no shadows of light to take away her fear or lessen his control, he would show her his power and the burning of the flame. But unlike the others, where he’d gone too far, their shrill screams pulling them away from the meaning behind the flame and his decision to touch them in that way, Brighid would prevail. She would survive the test of fire. They would become one in hearts and souls and in bodies. His mark, the mark of the power of light, more powerful than God, than Stark himself, would be imprinted on her skin forever. He needed to make some plans. He had a job to do for Lenny and Ray, but then he would be taking his prize and disappearing forever.



* * * *



Brighid couldn’t believe the attraction she felt for Pat. He had a great personality to boot, and every chance he had to touch her, brush against her, or smile at her, he did it. He was a charmer, and she knew, when her friends met him and Tobin, they were going to go crazy, too.

She had spoken to Jenny about how she’d met them and what she was feeling. That guilty sensation wouldn’t go away. It was the oddest thing. She’d met Reece and Rusty and knew so little about them yet felt a bond had formed. She was definitely losing her mind, and maybe exploring this attraction to Pat and Tobin might bring her back to reality.

She placed her pocketbook strap onto her shoulder and walked along the pathway to get inside of the service station. Her car was sitting in a parking spot, and she could see the one new tire.

When they walked into the office, a really attractive guy was standing there already reaching his hand out to greet Pat. He was a big guy, too.

“Hey, Pat, how are you, buddy?”

Pat shook the man’s hand as the man gave her the once-over and smiled.

“So this must be Bri.” He reached his hand out to her next.

“It sure is. Bri, meet my friend Kyle St. James.”

“Hello, Kyle. It’s nice to meet you. Thank you so much for taking care of my car,” she told him as she shook his hand. He smiled and then crossed his arms in front of his large chest.

“No problem. I noticed that your side mirror was broken. If you wanted me to fix that, I can order the part and have it here in a day or so.”

“Oh God, I totally forgot about that. My focus was on the fact that Pat and Tobin saved my life.”

He squinted at her and looked at Pat. “What happened?

Pat explained about seeing her on the side of the road with tire problems and about the sports car that had cut off the truck that nearly hit her and, instead, got so close it scraped against her mirror.

“Damn, you could have been killed,” Kyle said. “All three of you could have gotten hurt. That’s terrible. But I bet Tobin will track down that truck and the sports car.”

“I’m sure he will, too. My brother can be a pit bull when it comes to things like that. He won’t give up until he gets the results he wants.”

“Well, you keep me posted on that and, of course, let me know if you want me to order that part.”

“Sounds good to me. I’ll need it, so that would be great. I can give you my card, and when it comes in, call me and I’ll schedule an appointment with you.” She reached into her bag. She pulled out a business card and handed it to Kyle.

“Great. I’ll call you when it comes in. Let me get the keys to your car.”

“Oh, let me pay you. How much do I owe you?” She followed him toward the counter. He pulled out a bill, and she paid cash then got the receipt.

“Thank you again.”

They all shook hands, and Pat held the door open and escorted her to her car. He never let his hand off her lower back, and when she got to her car and turned around, he placed his hands on her hips.

He stared down into her eyes. His gorgeous brown eyes held her gaze, and she could tell he was just as in tune to the attraction between them as she was.

“Did I tell you how sexy and classy you look in this dress?” he asked, letting his eyes roam over her cleavage, which was accentuated by the snug-fitting bodice of the Ann Taylor navy blue dress she wore.

She was grateful for the matching high heels, as Pat was a good foot taller than her.

“Thank you,” she replied, voice cracking.

“I’m looking forward to spending some time with you on Saturday. So is Tobin.”

She smiled. “I told my friends about the place. They were coming to stay overnight at my place, so they’ll be arriving Friday night.”

“Nice. They’re from Connecticut too?”

“Yes, but they’ve been job hunting and looking to head south. I’m hoping they like Treasure Town and can find work here or nearby and move here. We’ve been friends since high school.”

“That’s great. How many friends will be staying with you?”

“Four of them. Jenny, Anna, Carmella, and Natalie.”

“I can’t wait to meet them. I bet they’ll love The Station, too.” He gently glided his finger along her chin and jaw. He tilted her chin up toward him.

“We seriously need to get this first date out of the way. It’s just too difficult to not want to kiss you.”

She felt her cheeks warm. “Is that what Saturday is? A first date?”

“It’s a start, so you can get to know us. You’re definitely coming there, right?” he asked.

She nodded. “I’ll be there, Pat. I promise.”

He smiled and then leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She inhaled his cologne, placed her hands on his waist, and so badly wished she could have felt his lips against hers. But then he stepped back.

“I’ll call you to touch base.”