Read Online A Shot in the Dark by Christine D'Abo - Free Book Online Page A

Your ass still belongs to me.”
    “Let me go.”
    “No.”
    Paige jerked on her hand, but he held her fast. “I said let me go.”
    “I think you better listen to the lady.” Blue Eyes was on his feet and beside Rick before either of them realized. “You’re getting dangerously close to assault.”
    “And I’ll make sure you won’t be using that hand again anytime soon,” Ian said with enough venom to make Paige believe every word.
    Rick glared at them and for once did the smart thing. Lifting his hand, he grabbed his coffee and took a step back. “We can finish this conversation another time.”
    Blue Eyes stepped between them, forcing Rick backward. “See, I also think that is a bad idea. You’re going to leave now and if this nice lady tells me that you’ve been bothering her, then my friends over at the police station are going to take a special interest in you. Understand?”
    Taking a long sip of his coffee, Rick stepped back again, keeping his gaze on Paige. “Sure thing. I have to meet someone anyway. Thanks for the coffee.”
    Blue Eyes walked forward, forcing Rick to leave and keeping her view of her ex thankfully blocked.
    When the door closed, Ian pulled her into a hug. “You okay?”
    The sting of tears was back. Paige burrowed into his arms and tried not to cry. “I will be.”
    When Blue Eyes came back in, the muscles in his jaw and throat were still tense. “I think he’s gone for now. Who the hell was he?”
    “Her ex-asshole.” Ian kissed her temple. “I don’t know why you decided to leave him, but I’d never been happier. What did you ever see in him?”
    “I would tell you, but you said you didn’t want to hear about my sex life.” Paige sniffed as she pulled away.
    Blue Eyes laughed. “She told you.”
    Paige reached across the counter and pulled Blue Eyes in to kiss his cheek. “Thank you.”
    A grin split his face as he slipped his hands into his pockets. “All in a day’s work.” He turned to face Ian. “Do I get a kiss from you too?”
    “I never kiss on the first date,” Ian said casually. The effect was ruined by the dark blush covering his cheeks.
    “But we haven’t had a date.”
    “I don’t even know your name.” Ian smiled, reaching for a mug. “Let me get you some on the house for defending the honor of an employee of Pulled Long.”
    Blue Eyes kept his gaze on Ian, who turned to make the drink. “I’ll keep that in mind for future payments. Nothing better than free coffee. Your pocket’s buzzing.”
    Paige blinked at him. “What?”
    “Your pocket. Someone’s trying to get in touch with you.”
    Carter. Pulling out the phone, Paige groaned when she realized she’d missed seven texts from him.
    Jason put hemorrhoid cream in Scott’s socks. Entertaining party. When will u b home?
    Paige?
    Customer?
    We can do burgers tmrow if u want?
    I might make u do naughty things to earn yr supper. Crawl across the floor naked.
    I keep thinking about yr red ass and how good yr pussy tasted. Want more.
    U there?
    Her hands shook as she ran her thumb across the display. “Ian, I’m going out back for a few.”
    “Go ahead. I’ve got things covered.”
    The air in the kitchen still smelled of the cookies Sadie had made early that day. It gave the illusion of warmth and safety, that life was simple and uncomplicated and the man she’d thought loved her wasn’t back in her life. Without thinking too hard, Paige pressed Carter’s number, nerves making her breathing shaky as the phone rang.
    “Hey.” His low voice warmed her, chasing away some of the darkness. “You on a break?”
    “Hey. Yeah, I needed to get some air.”
    “What’s wrong?” The certainty in his voice left no room for her to argue.
    She sat on the stool and tried to find the words. Nothing seemed adequate enough to describe the hell her emotions were churning up. “Remember you asked me why I left the clubs and didn’t do scenes anymore? Well, he showed up today.”
    “Are you at