Click (A Night Fire Novel Book 2) Read online

  “What the...”

  “Call Barney.” Austin interrupted the idiot on the floor.

  One of the guys turned to the phone, dialing a number. The people that remained in the bar were chanting for a fight, Monique slipped along the side of the bar and pulled me out of the way.

  “Are you alright?” She whispered.

  I nodded even though my back was killing me.

  “My god, I have never seen anything like it. He jumped the bar with one hand.”

  I could see the awe on her face, it must have been pretty good. Now I wished that I had seen it. Cheers and hoots livened the room, I turned to see the idiot falling back to the ground. Austin was pacing, loosening and clenching his fists as he moved. He circled the man, I watched his face as he struggled to maintain composure.

  When he rounded the back of him he picked him up by his clothes and dragged him to his feet, the sound of a siren filling the night air. Austin said something in the man's ear, waiting for the nod he then brought him to me.

  Blood was smeared over the man's chin, his lip was cut and he was getting a black eye. His lip twitched with a slight sneer as he looked at me.

  “He wants me to apologize.” The man laughed as his lip curled more with derision. “But you little bitch, you and your barman boyfriend can go to hell.”

  I wasn't shocked, I had heard a whole lot worse. Austin was calmer than ever, which was a little scary. As he turned him, he landed a deep jab into his stomach. The man cringed and doubled over with the pain.

  “I don't think she heard you. Try again.” The menacing voice prompted him.

  “Go. To. Hell. Bitch.”

  Then he laughed, spitting blood at my feet. The sounds of the crowd, cheering and urging for more became louder. Two cops were trying to make their way through the people who were reluctant to let them in. If they came in, it meant the fight was over. Not that it had really started, it was rather one sided. Austin saw the cops and landed another hard jab, this one onto the side of his nose. It sent the idiot to the floor, landing a few steps away from Austin. He laid on the floor, out cold as the cops broke through the people. Austin walked to them swiftly, pointing to the unconscious man on the floor and then to me.

  One of them walked over, sizing me up as he drew closer.

  “Good evening miss, I am Barney Molloy the chief of police for the island. Austin tells me that the man assaulted you, is that correct?”

  “Uh, yes. He grabbed me and wouldn't let go when I asked him to.”

  He nodded and scribbled something into his little notepad.

  “Do you wish to press charges?”

  “No.” I frowned. “Not unless he tries something against Austin.”

  The cop smiled at me, one that made me think that there would never be any charges laid against Austin. This was a small town and I think that a certain barman got away with a whole lot more than he should.

  With all the excitement that had happened with the fight, we had missed the first and the second bus. There were a few people that had missed them as well so the bar staff were kept busy for the entire night. Monique and I were sitting on our perch at the end of the bar, the view was pretty damn good. Not just Austin, the other barmen were easy on the eye as well. The excess of people had robbed me of a moment to thank my brave hero who had defended me and fought off what could have been a real problem.

  He wouldn't take no for an answer, he didn't care what I wanted. You've seen those kinds of guys before my mind whispered. You've seen the tears that follow. I turned and smiled at Monique, she returned it but it was forced.

  The pain was resurfacing. It wasn't an exact replication of her own nightmare but it was pretty damned close. A guy that had been friends with her family since she was in nappies, a good friend and with a little time a boyfriend. His ugly side was the reason for all of her wild behavior now, the reason she drank, the reason she only ever had one night stands. She didn't want to get close to anyone ever again, she kept everyone at an arm's length. Well, except for me and her parents of course.

  “I don't want to be a pill Ab, but I'm pretty tired.”

  “It's cool, I think I've had enough excitement for today.”

  Austin glanced in my direction and I waved goodbye. He frowned for a moment and then glanced at his watch. With two large strides he was at our end of the bar.

  “Give me five minutes?”

  “Sure.”

  He put two beers onto the counter to keep us occupied, quickly returning to the crowd that were hounding them with their orders. Five minutes had passed and the crowd had not relented, I caught Austin's attention. He said something to one of the other barmen who looked pretty pissed but didn't say anything. Austin rounded the bar, ignoring the complaints of those that were waiting and made his way to me. He took my hand and led me into the back corridor that held the doors to the bathrooms.

  “You're going?”

  “Monique's tired. I can't say as that I'm all that lively either.”

  “About before.” He sighed. “I'm not that aggressive, I just can't stand men like him.”

  “It's okay but I never got to thank you for sticking up for me.”

  A dark grin crossed his face as I leaned on the wall, pulling his shirt to make him move closer.

  “And how are you going to thank me?”

  “One kiss tonight and a promise of more tomorrow?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Austin pressed me against the wall, the kiss had begun slow but as the seconds passed it started to heat up. He pulled me off the wall slightly, wrapping his arms around my waist. One hand moved over my hip, pulling my leg around his waist.

  “This dress is scandalous.” He whispered as he trailed his lips over my skin.

  His head dipped to the curve of my neck, tender soft kisses across my inflamed body. I was ready to forego any dignity that I might have and continue this right here, right now. Except that Austin let my leg down and ensured that the material of my dress was in its correct place.

  “Swimming, tomorrow.”

  His fingers pressed against my chin as he placed a soft kiss on my lips.

  “If you forget your swimmers I'll make you go naked.”

  I giggled, thinking that if it were quiet and secluded there might not be any need for them at all.

  “Hey love birds.” Monique stood at the end of the corridor with her hands on her hips. “I'm tired and the men behind the bar are becoming increasingly annoyed at the lack of staff.”

  She huffed and turned out to the main bar, I gave an apologetic smile to Austin.

  “Tomorrow.”

  He nodded and gave another sweet kiss, one that would have to keep me satisfied until tomorrow. It wasn't going to, I wanted more. I wanted to feel his lips drag across my body, the heat of his skin against mine. Austin took my hand and led me back to the main bar, ignoring the hoots and jeers about how long we had been gone.

  Monique wrapped her arm around my shoulder, dragging me in for a half ass attempt at a hug as we walked back to the hotel. She was more drunk than I was, I had been too busy trying to get Austin's attention, then the idiot and his big bear paws sobered me instantly.

  “I'm letting you out Ab.”

  She chuckled and pressed her head to mine, another drunken attempt at a hug.

  “Out of what?”

  “The challenge. You might be clueless but I'm not an idiot. You are free to do as you please.”

  I frowned as we walked along the gravel road, the sounds of the animals seemed to be louder of a night time even though it was just as noisy as the day time. The music from the pub was incredibly loud.

  “What if I don't want to be out of it?”

  What on earth was I saying? Did I not just say that I wanted out earlier today? I must be more drunk than I thought I was. Monique scoffed as she laughed.

  “Just go and have your dalliance with Austin and forget about it.”

  “I've never backed away from a challenge.�
� I pulled away from her and put my hands on my hips with far too much anger. “You can't just stop and start as you please.”

  “Get real Ab, open your eyes. You might not love him yet but it's going to happen. If you are going to continue with the challenge you might want to do it before the poor clueless sod falls in love with you.” An eyebrow raised at me as she grinned. “Maybe it's too late for that.”

  She continued to walk, leaving me rather confused. I was angry that she would end a challenge without a good reason. We weren't in love, we weren't even close to it. After such little time it wasn't possible. Monique was wrong.

  “You're wrong.”

  Monique turned with a grin, taking a few steps backwards.

  “Am I?”

  Chapter Seven

  I couldn't find sleep, I stared at the ceiling for hours trying to find an answer to Monique's question. Why was she wrong? There was an answer otherwise I wouldn't think it was true. I rolled onto my side and waited for my mind to relax enough to allow me sleep.

  A heavy hand pushing on my shoulder roused me, I rolled over to a bright morning and a tired Monique looking at me with her smug attitude.

  “You told me to make sure you were awake by seven. It's eight and your not-a-boyfriend is here.”

  “Shit.” I gasped.

  I scrambled out of bed, wondering why I didn't set the alarm. Austin was leaning on the door as I searched through the draws, wondering where my bikini was.

  “Sorry, I won't be long.”

  He shrugged and moved out of the way for Monique to pass. I turned back, trying to hurry. God, I was such a lame-ass. The door clicked shut, I turned to see Austin leaning on it. His eyes lowered as a grin curled into the corner of his mouth. I could feel my skin tingle, my knees were going weak.

  “I thought you were a no show.”

  His husky words were soft as he walked closer, slowly stalking me as I backed into the cabinet. When he reached me he lifted something off the top of the cabinet, holding it in front of me.

  “Do I distract you or do you not want to go?”

  I looked at my blasted bikini. Damn it.

  “Distract.” I said quietly as I took them from him.

  He pulled me tight to his body, lowering to my ear. His breath was warm against the skin, the soft scent of mint trailed past me.

  “Am I distracting you now, Abigail?”

  I nodded and stifled the whimper, wishing he would put me out of my misery. Wishing I could put me out of misery. Austin moved us, sitting himself on the edge of the bed with me standing between his legs. He dumped the bikini onto the bed beside him and trailed his fingers up my legs, kissing my stomach through my nightdress. His fingers continued under the hem of my nightdress, reaching my underpants he pulled them down.

  Slowly the soft material slipped down my legs, achingly caressing the skin. His hand flattened against the backs of my legs, pushing them down. My head was becoming hazy with lust, desperate to move this forward faster than it was. His hand left my body reaching for the bottom half of my bikini. What the hell? My mind hissed. He looked up at me with a dirty, smug smile as he held them out for me to get into. Damn it! I held his shoulders as I stepped into them, his fingers lifted them all the way up. All without seeing a thing.

  Austin stood, there was barely any distance between us. His hands moved to my hips, his eyes never breaking contact with mine. The dress began to lift, folding into his hands. My heart was racing as the material scraped over my hips, slowly etching higher. I lifted my arms with a devious smile, Austin returned it just as the dress slipped over my breasts. As I closed my eyes and waited for the dress to pass them, I wondered if he would take the opportunity for a free peek.

  The material brushed over my face and I opened my eyes again, Austin was still staring at me. If he had looked, I wouldn't know. He hadn't been caught with lowered eyes or even a gaze that was returning to my eyes.

  The dress was tossed to the bed, I stood in a bikini bottom and nothing more. The smirk that was curled into his lips deepened as he held up the bikini top. I hadn't even seen him pick them up. His arms wrapped around me and did the sides up behind me, so close for a kiss but all he did was look at me. I went to adjust the material but he pulled my hand away, taking great delight in pulling it into place. He didn't look down, instead his fingers moved up over my ribs and over the curve of the underside of my breast. When he reached the material his fingers slipped under the edge. His nails were against my skin, tracing down the curve and putting the bikini into the right spot.

  With a sudden movement he turned me and let me fall onto the bed, standing at the edge of it in between my legs. I looked over him, he was in jeans and a shirt similar to when I fell over his bag at the beach. One knee went onto the bed, in between my legs, the other on the side of my leg. I gasped as he lowered to my stomach, his hair fell to my skin, tickling it as he kissed up the center of my torso. He kissed higher, pressing his lips against my ribs, so close to where his fingers had just been.

  Then he went down, my stomach sank as he kissed over it. His fingers pulled on the bikini bottom, pulling them down a fraction as his lips reached the base of my stomach. Please don't stop my mind begged. I tried to vocalize the request by all it came out as was a breathy moan. His lips continued to the side, pressing against my hip bone. I wanted to protest when his fingers let go of the material and traced over my body to my legs. He pulled them wide and settled himself against me, causing a whole world of grief for me. His body was heavy on mine, his hips dug deep against me ensuring I knew how much he wanted me. I gasped as he kissed over my neck and pressed himself against me again.

  “Is that a better distraction?”

  “God yes.” I gasped.

  He chuckled and lifted himself from me and took my hands, lifting me to my feet.

  “Come on, the lagoon awaits.”

  Bastard. How dare he tease me like that.

  The water at the lagoon was warm, a rock face loomed over us and created a shadow from the sun. Austin had divested himself of the majority of his clothes, underneath those jeans was a pair of board shorts. And under that shirt was one incredible body that had a few tattoos and two pierced nipples. He was sitting under the tree where we had dumped our things, looking through the rest of the pictures on my camera.

  I stepped along the shore edge, over the pebbles and into the deeper water. Hearing a click I turned back to Austin who was grinning at me as he lowered the camera. I narrowed my eyes at him which he ignored by taking another picture.

  We were alone, this place was hidden off the main track and I wondered why no one had discovered it. The lagoon was wide, deep crystal clear water and a wonderful mix of shadows and light to swim in. Now I was in knee deep water, hearing another click I looked back at Austin who was more interested in taking pictures of me than getting in the water with me. I had to rouse his interest. As I sank into the water I watched him more. He lowered the camera to his lap, looking at the screen with a frown. He had a brooding look on his face, deep and contemplative.

  “Are you coming in?”

  Austin looked up at me, his stoic gaze gave nothing away.

  “Soon.”

  Another picture and still not getting his ass off the ground. I turned away from him, undoing the knot on my back and tossing the bikini top. It landed at his feet with a wet slap as I submerged under the water. When I surfaced he was walking into the water.

  “You called?”

  “I did.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted my legs around his waist.

  “Abigail.”

  His fingers pulled back a loose strand of my hair, tucking it behind my ear. They traced over my jaw as some unknown pain filled his face.

  “We shouldn't be doing this.”

  I think that a truck just slammed into me.

  “You don't know me. You don't know what you're getting yourself in for.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?�
�

  I pushed him away and put my feet back onto the ground, stalking back to the water's edge. Anger was swelling in me as I picked up my top, putting it back on.

  “Is that your way of saying that you're good for the holiday but don't bother coming back for more?”

  What the hell was I saying? Wasn't that what I was after as well? I turned back to look at him and realised that Monique was right. In such a small amount of time I had managed to develop feelings so vast that I did want more.

  “No.” He protested. “I'm just trying to warn you. This person that you see, this isn't me. This world that I inhabit here, it's not my real world.”

  “Let me guess. You're married, you live somewhere on the mainland and you come here to screw the spring breakers and then go back to your clueless wife.”

  I turned and packed the camera into my bag.

  “You're a hypocrite, telling me to stay away from Brody. It was never about him being married it was all about you getting yourself some action.”

  “I'm not married.”

  His shadow loomed over me, I turned and looked up at him. He had never seemed so tall previously but now he did, now he looked like doom in wet board shorts.

  “Then what's the problem?”

  He turned his head away, looking rather distressed.

  “Fine. I'm leaving. When you decide to tell me what your problem is you know where I am.”

  By the time I reached the place where Austin had left his bike my bikini had dried. The sarong wrapped around me no longer clung to my body and my head was thumping from the heat of the day.

  I looked at his bike and wanted to push it over, hoping to scratch the paint or damage something. The entire walk back I had begged myself not to cry, to not be upset at whatever the hell had just happened. But it wouldn't listen. It was worse because he hadn't chased after me, he hadn't stopped me. He just let me go. Angrily I pushed the bike, letting it fall to the ground with a thud.

  “Bastard.” I snarled.

  I continued onto the road, taking the long slow walk back to the hotel. The sound of a motor bike sent a shiver up my spine, I turned back to the road behind me seeing nothing. A few steps into the vegetation that lined the road and I was hidden behind a tree. He passed me without seeing a thing, a tear escaped and rolled down my cheek. I couldn't deal with him right now.