Page 4 of Gunner

Gunner nodded. “Yep.”

“Wow, you are a dark horse. Are you here because of the storm too?”

Gunner asked for another beer and motioned for her to order what she wanted, not surprised when she got a Cosmo and added it to his tab.

“Yes, I have a meeting.”

He motioned to a table in the corner, wanting to spend this time with her, seizing it for what it was; a prize when he needed it most. He followed behind, his eyes falling to the sexy curves of her ass in the tight jeans she wore with sky-high heels. Her hair was wet and in a simple ponytail, and it made her look young, innocent, and fucking beautiful.

He dragged his eyes up as they sat down but knew he’d been caught checking her out as he sat and saw the raised eyebrow she gave him. Gunner grinned and shrugged. “Can’t blame me for looking.”

“I wasn’t. I just wondered if you’d give me the same chance.” Her flirty tone was one he remembered from the wedding before her attack. He smirked and lifted his drink with a wink that made her blush a pretty shade of pink.

“So, tell me about you. How have you been? What’s the gossip?”

Gunner sputtered. “Gossip? Do I look like a man who gossips?”

“No, men are useless at gossip, but it was worth a try. I hear you left Eidolon.”

Gunner felt his body go rigid. “Who told you that?”

He saw Lacey rear back at the sharp snap of his tone and regretted it instantly.

“Nate said you weren’t there anymore, but that’s all he said. Look, Gunner, if you’d rather not talk about it, then that’s fine. I’m the Queen of self-denial and know better than anyone about privacy and how sacred it is.”

Her response and understanding had him wanting to kick his own ass. “I’m sorry. I was a dick. Forgive me?”

“Fine, so let’s talk about something else. Who taught you to play like that?”

Gunner felt himself relax in the easy way she acquiesced to his request. “My grandmother, she made me practise every day from the time I was six until the day I left home to join the military.”

“Same, but for me, it was my mother. I’m actually glad she did, the piano is such a relaxing thing to play. Other than swimming, it’s one of my favourite things to do.”

“You like to swim?”

“Yep, I nearly went pro, but then I got scouted, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

“Flying is like that for me, all the shit in your head is silent. I love it. The freedom, the quiet, you can hear yourself think.” He looked away when he saw her looking at him and realised he’d given away more than he wanted. “So, what has you heading to the UK? Are you headed to visit Skye and Nate?”

Lacey held his gaze as she sipped her drink. “Actually, I’m relocating to Hereford.”

“Wow really? That’s great, good for you.”

“Yeah, I’m excited. I get to be close to my best friend and my godchildren, and I have contacts there and a few friends too.”

“That’s wonderful, Lacey. I’m pleased for you.”

He watched her run her finger over the condensation on her glass, her movements lazy, unhurried, and he wondered what she would do if he leaned in and did that to her neck with his tongue. Probably slap him across the face. “What about you, will you be there?”