Daughter of Asteria (The Daughter Trilogy) (18 page)

drunken roars and lowered inhibitions. I fully intend on joining the fun for a change.

My phone buzzes just before I walk in, and I cringe when I see it’s Devin. I walk away from the

noisy scene, but I know he’s still going to hear it.

“What the hell is that noise?” he barks before I even say hello.

“It’s the television. I’m cooking something to eat, and I don’t feel like talking right now,” I say

dismissively.

“How long are you going to cold shoulder me?” he whines as he accepts my lie.

“Until you finally come get me, and maybe a little while after then as well. I deserve a little pout

time. You’d be pouting too,” I huff.

“I love your pouting lips,” he seduces, and my body responds by throbbing fiercely.

“My pouting lips can’t do anything for you if you’re not here to enjoy them,” I counter icily.

“I might be able to fly out, and we can meet for a little while outside the vortex in a couple of

days,” he smolders.

Now my body is tingling under the delicious proposition.

“No. If you want me, you have to take me home. I’m not offering up anymore freebies. You

used up your last one the night before you pushed me out the door,” I quickly scold.

“So you would deny me if I showed up?” he entices, his playful tone seducing me and pissing me

off at the same time.

“Not only would I deny you, I would show up in the sexiest lingerie I own and stand just out of

your reach,” I grouse with mock conviction.

I’d cave in a breath if I saw him.

“I might break through the barrier if I saw that,” he growls with a more erotic tone than I was

prepared for.

“Then it would prove that my being here is pointless, and I win either way,” I huff, my foot

stomping the ground though he can’t see it.

“Are you sure that’s the television? The sounds are not consistent as they would be if they were

on a TV, and the voices are very distinctively Irish,” he murmurs in a dramatic shift, suspicion lacing

his every syllable.

“It’s Ireland. There are Irish shows. I’m hanging up now,” I mumble.

“Why?” he whines.

“Devin, do you know what today is?” I scold.

“The twenty-fourth day I’ve had to be away from you,” he exasperates, completely oblivious to

the completely wrong answer he just gave.

I frown a little as I take a deep, calming breath.

“It’s my birthday, and I’m not going to spend anymore of it arguing with you,” I almost whisper,

my voice too soft and calm.

He gasps as his guilt flows through the phone.

“Adisia, I’m so sorry. I completely forgot.”

“Yeah, you and everyone else. I’m hanging up now,” I murmur in the same chillingly calm tone

as earlier.

“Adisia-” he starts, but I hang up on him while shoving the phone into my purse.

I can hear it buzzing, but I ignore it for the first time since I came out here. It continues its

relentless vibrating until I finally turn it off completely.

I’m not going to spend the rest of the night hearing him and everyone else apologize for their

complete lapse.

“Can I help you, lass?” the smiling bartender asks the second I plop down in front of him.

“I know this sounds weird, but do you have ice-cream?” I murmur expectantly.

“Yes we do. You want something to drink with that?” he asks as he grabs a bowl out from under

the bar.

“Yeah, something strong… very strong,” I grumble.

“One of those days?” he says gently.

“One of those years, actually,” I add.

Am I really having the self-pitying conversation where I bear my soul and all my troubles to the

bartender?

“Well, this is the place for all troubles to be expelled,” he offers, only adding to the cliché.

“I hope so,” I say with a forced smile.

I dig into my ice cream, feeling it bite back with its stinging cold, and I debate on whether or not

to just pour the dark liquid he brought me on top of it.

I decide against it, my mortal stomach being a little less tolerant, and sip the drink instead. My

face distorts as the sharp, tart, burning taste brings my eyes to a squint.

“Oh damn,” I cough out.

“You said strong, lass,” he chuckles, his amusement almost making me smile.

“It’s definitely that. Thank you,” I say while grimacing and smiling at once.

He continues snickering as he tends to a new group of men that has just walked in.

The deep Australian accent catches my attention, and I slowly turn to face the tall, insanely hot

guy talking on his phone as he sips a dark ale. He lowers himself to a seat close to me, and I smirk

when I see a butch, hefty, and much older woman toss her arm over his shoulders.

I love drunk people sometimes.

“Hey, gorgeous. I’d love to take you home and show you how a real woman with experience

pleases a man,” her gruff, shameless voice heaves out as she staggers slightly from over intoxication.

I almost burst out laughing, and I shovel a spoon of ice cream in my mouth to glue it shut before I

give away my eavesdropping session.

The guy’s eyes widen at the unexpected come on, and he grimaces as he clumsily escapes her

grasp. I gasp when he grabs my hand abruptly and pulls me into his arms.

“Sorry, ma’am. I already have a girlfriend,” he lies as he pulls me closer.

Mmm, he smells good.

His strong chest is at my head as his tall body towers over me, making me feel so small.

She pouts a little and stalks off back to rejoin her group.

He turns to give me a far too sexy grin, and I have to clear my throat a little while batting my eyes

to wake me up and disengage from the severely close proximity.

His icy blue eyes continue to stare down at me as his smoldering breath slithers free from his

tempting lips.

“Thank you for playing along,” his annoyingly hot tone murmurs, and his breath slides against my

face to almost reach my lips.

I swallow hard at the unexpected place I find myself in. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with

Devin, and that drought isn’t being too kind to me right now.

Aphrodite might not be awake yet, but she’s still reminding me I have needs. I can’t let this

sandy blond get much closer. I might be pissed at Devin, but I still love him. I just wish he was

fucking here right now.

“No problem. Not a big fan of Mrs. Robinson?” I joke in an effort to deter the steamy gaze he’s

offering me a little too freely.

He chuckles a bit at my candor, and then he shivers as if he’s a little disgusted when the woman

gives him a salacious wink from her corner booth. He pulls e back to the barstools, and he takes his

place directly beside me to keep the lurking lioness at bay.

I’m forced to giggle at his dismay, and he just gives me a cocky smirk before answering my

poking question.

“Actually, I’m fine with Mrs. Robinson, but I draw the line at Mrs. Doubtfire,” he snickers out,

and then I burst out laughing.

It’s actually the first time I’ve laughed since I was dumped in Ireland. It almost feels cathartic.

“I’m Jace Cavelle. And you are?” he asks expectantly.

“Adisia. Just Adisia,” I murmur while sitting back down to my birthday ice cream that has started

to melt in my absence.

“Not too many pretty Sheilas come into these sorts of places. It’s possible you’ll have a fan club

before you leave. The wolves are already starting to assemble,” he jokes.

I look around at the wandering eyes. Some of the drunken goons look to be foaming at the mouth

for the chance to take their turn beside me. I roll mine in response.

If Devin was here he’d be keeping all the creeps at bay for me. But if Devin was here I wouldn’t

be in this grimy bar eating ice cream alone on my birthday.

“They just don’t know me. It’s always easy to want something mysterious,” I gripe.

“Uh-oh. It sounds as if you’ve got boyfriend problems,” he pries.

I laugh a little as I chug down more of the strong ale already kicking my ass.

Stupid mortal alcohol tolerance.

“I’ve got all kinds of problems. I just want to eat my ice cream, drink my drink, and enjoy the

last few hours of my birthday.”

“Birthday?” he says with a chipper smirk. “Happy birthday, just Adisia,” he says as he holds his

glass up.

I humor him by clanking his cup with mine and sighing.

“Thanks. You’re the first person to tell me that all day,” I murmur a little pathetically.

“I’m glad I could oblige. So you’re a loner then?” he assesses.

“No. I’m just alone right now. The two are very different,” I explain.

“No friends or family?” he asks curiously as if he’s trying to prove I am a loner.

“Yes. Both. I called most of them today, and no one remembered. It sounds petty, but it kind of

hurts,” I pout.

“It’s not petty. If people care about you, they should show it. How’s about I be your drinking

buddy for the night, and we get drunk as if we’re old mates sharing a beer?”

I laugh a little as I wipe a stray tear, and he smiles as he motions for another drink. “I need to

make a quick call, but I’ll be right back,” he adds.

Do I want him to come back? I’m not doing anything wrong, but it feels like I’m cheating or

something. I shouldn’t feel guilty for talking to someone.

The most interaction I’ve had with anyone since I got here is the woman who brings my groceries

once a week. I rattled her ear off for hours during her last drop off, and I think she’s a little scared of

me now.

“I knew a pretty girl like you wouldn’t be able to sit here for too long without someone coming to

sweep you off your feet,” the grinning bartender inserts.

I glance over to Jace, and he gives me a wave before turning back to his phone call.

“Do you know him?” I ask curiously.

“He’s a passer through. He’s been in here a couple of times. Seems to be a good enough lad,” the

man assures.

Jace returns to his seat beside me and nods to the bartender as he places the new drinks in front of

us.

“You probing the bartender for information about me?” he teases.

I laugh a little at my too obvious gesture, and then I sit back to sip on the drink that is still kicking

my very mortal ass.

“I just asked if he knew you.”

“Well, I’m an open book for the most part. Ask me anything you want to,” he offers with a

seductive air.

“Are you here on business?”

“Yes. I’m a bounty hunter, and I’m looking for a very gorgeous girl. She has long brown hair,

crisp blue eyes, and a heart stopping smile. Do you know her by chance?” he smolders.

I blush a little as a foolish grin spreads across my face. I just shake my head at his very

charismatic lead.

“You’re too smooth. I assume you’ve left a trail of tears behind you in your travels,” I laugh out.

“I’m really not tidy enough to leave behind a small trail. It’s more of a sporadic mess here and

there,” he jokes.

I laugh a little, but then Devin’s disapproving face flashes through my mind. I glance over at the

clock that tells me my driver won’t be back for another hour, but I know I have to spend it away from

this very enticing beauty trying to seduce me.

I would never do anything with him, but Devin would feel betrayed if I stayed in his company. I

would expect him to do the same thing.

“I should get going,” I grumble.

“But we’ve barely had time to enjoy a drink,” he seduces with a provocative grin.

“I’m sorry, but I’m engaged, and I don’t think this is appropriate,” I sigh.

“You’re engaged to a man who has left you all alone on your birthday, as well as forgot it all

together, and he hasn’t bought you a ring? No wonder you went for ice cream and liquor,” he taunts.

“Stay here with me, and teach him a lesson,” he tempts.

I grumble a little as he pulls me from my chair and begins dancing with me.

“I don’t think this is a dancing sort of place,” I giggle.

“It is if we dance,” he seduces.

His strong hands pull me into him a little more, and his incredible scent rushes me.

Then something crazy happens. I feel a spark against his skin, and it’s such a familiar feel. It’s

as if my powers are seeking me out or something. I gasp lightly, and he pulls back in response.

“What was that?” he asks curiously.

“I don’t know,” I mumble as I return to the bar to grab my purse.

“What’s wrong?” he beckons.

“I need to go. I’m sorry,” I huff.

“I’ll walk you out,” he offers.

“No. I’m fine.”

“I wasn’t raised to let a woman run off in the middle of the night without an escort to her car,” he

asserts.

I nod in defeat, and he holds the door open for me from behind. His hand grazes my back as it

slides up to my shoulder, and he whirls me around to his lips before I even realize what’s going on.

Sparks erupt from his mouth to mine, and I jump back holding my lips.

“What the crap?” I ask.

“I’m sorry. It must be some static buildup or something,” he explains, his cheeks blushing

lightly.

“No. I wasn’t talking about
that
. I just told you I was engaged. You can’t kiss a woman halfway

down the aisle,” I scold.