Chapter 5

• Ian was still cursing at himself for the fool move he’d made on Alec. Now all he could do was look at her mouth and he craved it. Brilliant. She hadn’t spoken to him in the hour time they’d been inside, but he had caught her looking at his mouth more than once in that time. The moment he had felt Alec begin to return his kiss, he’d pulled back. Why he had was a complete mystery to him and would probably remain that way.
• Alec leaned over closer so he could hear her over the music. “Shouldn’t we be moving around so you can try to listen?”
• “I can hear more than most right where we are.”
• She looked around and then shook her head and leaned close to him again. “I don’t know how you can hear a thing over this racket.”
• Ian smiled at her and then winked. “It’s one of my skills.”
• The look she sent him told him not to elaborate on anything that he may qualify as a skill. “Whatever you say.”
• Alec stayed close to him as a girlfriend would, and he was perfectly happy to stand here and tap to the rhythm of the music against her hip. Being this close told him two things right now, first, he could not get into her thoughts and for a few self-judging seconds he was almost disappointed. Knowing her thoughts would make it easier, or would it? Watching her out of the corner of his eye, he confirmed the second thing. Her expression may hint at being relaxed but those eyes scoured everybody in the place and if the tension under his hand affirmed anything it was that she was coiled and ready for action at the first sign of trouble.
• It might be entertaining to watch her kick ass, not that he’d let her do it alone. He swirled the watered-down scotch around in his mouth, even that couldn’t take the taste of her away. It wasn’t a great plan to kiss her like that, but he’d do it again if she gave him the chance.
• He watched Reid saunter into the bar and was reminded why they were here in the first place. Sighing, he lowered his head and stared at the worn wood of the polished counter. Watching it blur away he began surfing the minds closest to them. Nothing useful jumped out at him. A guy was heartbroken over his ex, another one was seriously contemplating an affair...
• Ian scowled when he plucked the thought out of what he was pretty sure was the bartender’s head, the thought was focused solely on the breasts of the woman leaning against his hip. He couldn’t really blame the guy, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to deck him.
• Moving on he continued until someone’s internal voice struck something familiar, and then it faded. Lifting his head, he pulled Alec into his side and nuzzled into her throat. It took a lot of restraint not to latch onto the sweet vanilla-scented flesh with his lips, but he managed to behave. “Let’s move to the other end and grab a seat.”
• She didn’t hesitate for a second, just picked up her untouched drink and let him guide her to the far end of the bar. To anyone watching Ian may have looked like he was admiring the ass below where his hand rested as they weaved through the bodies to the end, but in truth, he was completely jacked into the thoughts of everyone they passed. A new determination struck him; he wanted the people that were after Alec. He didn’t stop to examine this sudden yen for justice; he’d do that later when he had time to pause.
• When they reached the less hectic corner, Alec spun into him and wrapped one arm around his neck, drawing his head down near to hers. Forgotten were the voices in his head as his eyes lifted to connect with hers, questioning. Something flashed in her eyes but was gone before he could detect what it was. She leaned her warm body into his and he didn’t hesitate to wrap his arm around her and hold her there. A feather kiss was brushed across his lips, too brief in his opinion before she leaned into him more so she could stretch the few inches to whisper in his ear. “So with this super hearing of yours, or whatever you can hear above all this useless noise to what people are saying?”
• She tipped her head away and looked at him. He nodded. Her green eyes searched his for several long seconds before her lashes lowered and hid her thoughts from him. Alec stretched against him again and Ian had to clench his jaw to ignore the lust that surged through his veins. Her lips brushed against his ear. “Then I want to know everything going on.” Her hand grasped the back of his hair lightly to keep his attention. “If you can’t find the scum from the other night, I have no problem busting any lowlife in here for other activities.” She released him and leaned back, a smile playing across her mouth.
• Ian studied her mouth for a second before he nodded. With a satisfied look, she spun back around and stood beside the end stool. Taking his time, he went over and perched on it, his eyes moving down over her. Basically, she’s telling me she wants someone to take down so dressing up hadn’t been wasting her time. How the hell am I supposed to focus on finding these people when all I want to do is toss her over my shoulder and take her somewhere alone? Someone brushed against his back, he turned to see Brent leaning on the bar motioning to the bartender.
• “Everything good?” Brent asked, not looking away from the man walking from the other end of the bar.
• Ian raised his glass to his lips and drained the remaining liquid. “Good to go.” He said without taking his eyes off the woman swaying to the music beside him.
• Brent tossed a few bills on the counter and took the beer set in front of him. With a grin, he turned and headed back into the corner.
• If this dick could keep his fucking attention off the tall piece of ass, I could get the hell out of here. I don’t know why we couldn’t meet at The Stand again. This place freaks me out. Tommy should never have agreed to this meeting...
• Ian dropped his head down and let out a slow breath, following the trail of that thought would take a bit of focus. He didn’t know why the guy was nervous, but it couldn’t be good. He gripped Alec’s hip to draw her closer to him, letting her know something was up.
• He has ten seconds to pay attention or I’m out of here. Stupid, stupid idea. There has to be a better way to get this new formula in circulation than to go through these goons.
• Ian didn’t need to hear anything else, he did a quick look-see inside the head he was in and then got out. As he lifted his head, he reached out to palm the back of Alec’s neck and pull her closer. She played the part perfectly and melted against him. Now all he had to do was find the body to go with the thoughts. Brushing his mouth across her jaw, he rested his lips beside her ear. “Would a drug bust appease you?”
• She all but purred. “Better than chocolate.” Her warm arms circled his neck.
• Ian looked around at the men sitting closest to them. One table, in particular, caught his attention. A taller man wearing creased clothes and bedhead was ogling Alec with great interest. Sitting glaring at the man was a very tidily dressed, clearly irritated guy. His eyes darted around the bar nervously every few seconds. Ian nuzzled into Alec’s soft neck as she played with his hair. “Two guys, second table over. One has a new formula and the other is going to get it into circulation.”
• “Mmm, a twofer,” she whispered against his lips when he raised his head. Her eyes were glazed with excitement that Ian wished weren’t for the possibility of a bust. “I’ll let Brent and Reid in on our fun, and then we tail them.”
• Before Ian could ask how she turned in his arms and leaned back into him. He couldn’t complain when she stood there bouncing to the music, playing with the straw in her drink, as her ass rubbed up against him with each movement. Getting a woman’s attention had never been a problem for Ian, not that he was a braggart about it, but fact was fact. This woman rubbing herself between his thighs, he decided may just be worth the chase.
• Over her shoulder he watched Reid get up and head toward the bathroom. As he walked past Brent he must have signaled him in some way because the tall redhead got up and went in the direction of the exit. Alec leaned back and rubbed her cheek along his. “Go fill Reid in, then go get the car. Reid and I’ll wait here.”
• He wanted to argue with the part of the plan about leaving her here, but he patted her hip and got up from the stool.
• Reid stood inside the bathroom as he entered. Ian glanced around the dingy space.
• “We’re alone.” Reid straightened from the sink. “Those guys who we’re looking for?”
• Ian shook his head and then blew out a breath. “No. I don’t think the one from the other night is here. The two guys out there are doing an interesting exchange though. One of them has a new formula that needs distributing and the other is the distributor.”
• “Drugs,” Reid said quietly.
• “Alec wants me to go get the car.”
• Reid nodded. “Yeah, Brent is back at the parking lot now.” He motioned to the door. “Go get it, we’ll have to use you and your car. I rode with Brent.”
• Ian wanted to ask if having him tail someone was even allowed and then his conscience reminded him he didn’t exactly follow rules either. “I’ll be back then.”