Read Online Straight to Heaven by Michelle Scott - Free Book Online Page A

airplane, the dashboard would have been covered with blinking lights all warning me that I was about to crash. It had never occurred to me to prepare an alibi because, until now, my assignments had all been short and to the point. However, I was starting to sense that Craig was going to be a much more difficult project. I needed a better story, and I needed it pronto.
    “Well, I’m also a journalist,” I hurriedly added. “I’m writing a piece on sportsmen.” Yes! It had taken a while, but my succubus had finally come to my rescue. “The story’s about how Michigan’s poor economy is taking a toll on tourism.” It was the perfect lie, offered up with an enormous serving of sangfroid. Grateful for my demon’s cunning, I gave her a mental high-five.
    At this news, Craig leaned over the table and grabbed my wrist. Hard. His flinty eyes were those of a convicted felon. “What are you
really
writing about?”
    “Sportsmen, like I said.” I locked stares with him. “I’m a journalist for
The Detroit News
doing a piece on hunters and fishermen.”
    “Ease up, man,” J.T. said, but he, too, looked wary.
    I smiled and attempted to send a charge of my demon’s allure at Craig, but my confidence was wavering, and as a result, the succubus’s power was limited.
    Craig gripped my wrist tighter. “If you’re only here to write an article, then why give us the bull crap story about being a hunter?”
    For a moment, I worried that Craig would drive me away from the table before I had a chance to tempt him, but at that moment, a waitress passed by with a tray of beers. “How about I buy the next round,” I offered. I waved the waitress over, and Craig finally let go of my wrist.
    Darla looked at her watch. “We can’t stay for another round.” She stood up. “C’mon Craig, let’s go.”
    The moment of temptation had finally arrived. It was time for action. “Where are you two off to in such a hurry?” I asked.
    Darla gave me a ‘none of your damn business’ look before turning to Craig. “Home by midnight. That’s what you promised.”
    Craig remained stubbornly seated. Maybe my job would be easier than I’d expected.
    “C’mon,” Darla insisted. “One of us has to work tomorrow.” She tugged on his hand.
    “If you need to leave now, I’m sure J.T. will drive Craig home,” I said. Then I glanced at the man sitting next to me, taking in his crooked smile. “Or maybe it would be better if Craig drove J.T. home.”
    “Good idea,” Craig said. He gave Darla an evasive look. “I should probably stay.”
    Darla glared at him. “You
promised
to be home by midnight.”
    Although Craig obviously did not want to argue with his girlfriend, an argument was just what I needed to drive her out the door and keep him in the bar. Plus, I felt that I owed Darla for the smart remark about my terrible dancing. So I said, “I never met a man so eager to have his girlfriend tell him what to do.”
    It worked like a charm. “You still haven’t,” Craig said. “I’m staying.”
    Darla put her hands on her hips. “Why do we go through this every week? If you don’t leave right now, it will be the last time you see me. I’m not kidding around.”
    “If you make me choose,” he said, “then you’re definitely going home alone.”
    As I was inwardly crowing over my triumph, my demon cried out a warning. But it was too late. A waitress carrying a large tray of beers walked past. She clipped the edge of our table which caused her to lose her balance. The tray tilted, and the beers tipped over, drenching Craig.
    “Oh, I am so sorry,” the waitress said. She flicked a towel from her waist and tried to dry him off. “I am so, so sorry.”
    Craig stood up and pulled his sodden shirt away from his skin. Even his jeans were drenched. “Ah, shit.”
    Darla was jubilant. “I guess you won’t be staying here after all.”
    “No,” Craig agreed. “I guess not.”
    She grabbed his elbow. “See you all later,”