The Scribe
Page 26

“I’m just curious. You’re a beautiful woman, and you’re all alone.”
“Yes. Happily alone.”
Keep telling yourself that, Ava.
Stupid wine.
“But you weren’t alone earlier.”
“Your point, Einstein?”
“Did your boyfriend leave you here?”
“None of your business.”
“So he is your boyfriend? Do you know what he is?”
What? Ava took another drink. This guy wasn’t making any sense. Maybe it was a language thing.
“You know,” she said in a low voice, sliding closer. “I’d really like you to…”
He leaned in. “What?”
“Leave.”
Hottie’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t think you know just who your boyfriend is, do you?”
Irritated, Ava blurted out, “He’s not my boyfriend! But he will take care of you if you don’t leave me alone. Now.”
Well, that made him happy.
“So he’s not your boyfriend! May I join you?”
She squinted. Yep, buzz definitely getting spoiled. “Are you deaf? No! Are all Turkish men this forward? Do I look like I want company?”
He said something she really didn’t listen to. The noise from the television seemed louder. Had the bartender turned it up? Hot Guy was still talking.
Was it some kind of game? A bet? She looked around, but none of the other men were looking at them. In fact, even Mister Wink Wink across the bar was looking away. Ava was starting to get nervous, and she really wished Leo would come back. She pulled out her phone and saw that he had just texted her.
Meet me by the door I left through.
Normally, she’d ignore him. After all, he worked for her—or her stepfather. Whatever. She didn’t have to do what he said. She finished the glass of wine and narrowed her eyes at the handsome man who still looked like he expected Ava to fall into his bed. He was watching her like she was the most fascinating thing in the world.
“What are you?” he whispered with barely contained excitement.
“I’m an American photographer. It’s really not all that exciting.”
“I don’t think that’s what you really are.”
Weirdo. He might have been handsome, but the guy did nothing for her. She was about to pour another glass of wine when she heard her phone buzz again. She looked down. It was Malachi’s number.
Ava, go to Leo. Now.
“Ugh.” Her head fell back and she groaned. “Bossy men. Damn bossy men. Who the hell do they think they are?” She’d tell them off in person.
Ava stood and picked up her purse. As soon as she did, she felt a hand on her arm. It was Hot Guy, who had morphed into Mr. Intrusive.
Okay, not cool.
“Hey!” Feeling bold with wine, Ava rounded on him as she yanked her arm away. “Do not touch me, do you understand? Did I give you permission to do that? Did I indicate in any way that I wanted your attention, mister?”
The man’s green eyes widened in shock.
“You pulled away from me.”
“For heaven’s sake, do you really think you’re God’s gift? Get over yourself, buddy!”
She was starting to draw attention. Luckily three-quarters of a bottle of wine meant she didn’t really care all that much. She was only a block from her hotel, after all. And there was always—
“Leo!” She grinned, her annoyance forgotten. She turned to the pushy stranger. “Now this guy? He’s a catch. For one thing, he’s handsome without looking like he’s been airbrushed, because really?” She waved a hand in front of the guy’s face. “Are you wearing makeup? I mean, whatever, if that’s your thing, but see, Leo here—”
Leo cleared his throat. “We should go, Ava.” He was trying to steer her toward the door with a hand on her shoulder, but Ava ignored him, still talking to Hot Guy.
“See, Leo’s got the confident-without-being-arrogant thing. You need to learn that. Because girls don’t usually go for… a guy who looks in the mirror more than they do.” Ava giggled as she looked around the place. “Well, obviously not some of these ladies, but where I come from… that’s probably a bad example. Still—”
“Ava.” His low voice sounded across the bar. She turned, stilling immediately when she heard it. Heard him. Their eyes met.
There you are.
Even slightly inebriated, she was shocked by how the realization hit her.
He was here. And he belonged with her.
Malachi strode into the room, looking rough and angry. His shirt was torn at the collar and there was a bandage across his ribs. He was still the best thing she’d laid eyes on in… ever.
“You’re here,” she murmured, letting his voice wash into her mind. Relieved. He was relieved, but worried. She reached out for his hand. She knew if she could just hold it—
He dodged her at the last minute, slipping around Leo’s back and standing between the stranger and Ava, pressing a warm hand to the small of her back. She could feel it through her shirt. The heat. The calm. She wanted to surround herself until she lost her mind in his.
“Let’s go,” he said, pushing her toward the door.
As soon as her feet started moving, she came out of her daze. “Hey, I’m not—”
“You’re done. We’re going back to the hotel. I’ll explain more there.”
“You’d better. And I don’t appreciate—”