| Volume 3, Issue 2, June 30, 2008 | |
| Alpha by Erin M. Kinch |
|
The first time Callie saw Luke Hayes, her hackles rose. A cowbell clanked against the door of the Johnson Bar & Grill as he swaggered in, all tall shoulders, shaggy black hair, and ice blue eyes. "Want me to take this one?" Millie drawled. Millie was a tough Texas broad who'd worked at the grill since Callie's parents opened the place. Her weathered face and graying ponytail spoke of practicality and long hours outdoors. Callie felt the interloper's presence like a bonfire scorching her skin. "I've got it." She took a deep breath and approached the stranger. "Get you a drink?" "Glenfiddich on the rocks." Callie raised an eyebrow as she poured. "Not much call for this in Ryan. That's six bucks." He slid his platinum card across the bar. "I'll start a tab." She ran her thumb over the raised letters. "Sure, Luke." His hand flashed out and grabbed her wrist. Callie glared and her nostrils twitched; outsiders never touched her that way. A smile softened his face as he released her. "Don't I get to know your name?" The warmth of his caressing gaze did her in. "I'm Callie." "Let me buy you a drink, Callie." His slow grin shredded the remains of her modesty, and the low rumbling of his voice made her insides quiver. She was hyper-aware of his musky scent, the curve of his lips, and how his hair waved across his forehead. At the other end of the bar, Millie slammed the beer cooler shut with a bang. Callie blinked and retreated. "Maybe some other time." She left his card by the cash register and headed for the back. "Darrel ain't gonna like this." Millie cornered Callie in the hall. "Ain't gonna like him." Read the rest of the story:
| |
