Page 42 of Ravish

“Fine. Just getting some sun.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. While her family usually didn’t bother Aunt Tammy, she wouldn’t put it past them. “That’s nice. Want some tea?”

“I would love some.” Aunt Tammy walked up the steps with her into Lara’s duplex. “So tell me: What has you rattled?” her aunt asked after Lara had tea and cookies on the table.

“Nothing,” Lara answered automatically.

“Young lady.” Aunt Tammy stared at her. “I know when you’re upset.”

Lara sat down and gave her aunt a sad smile. “I never could hide anything from you.”

“And don’t you forget it. Out with it.”

“Keith stopped by the café as I was closing down today.”

“What did that no good nephew of mine want?”

Lara took a sip of her tea. “He said they were watching me.”

Aunt Tammy laughed. “Let them watch.”

“But.” How much should she tell her aunt? She wouldn’t tell her about the club. “Why would they watch me?” An icy shiver slid up her spine. With her dating Colby and them going to the club, there were more people involved than just her and her aunt.

“Because they’re control freaks. Lara, honey,”—her aunt patted her on the arm—“don’t let them get to you. So when is the next date with your young man, Colby?”

“Tomorrow.”

Colby. If her family was watching, they already knew about him, but how much, she didn’t know. She’d have to ask Colby about security at the club. It seemed pretty tight to her, but her family was worse than bloodhounds at times. “We’re having dinner.”

“Good.” Aunt Tammy sipped her tea. “Don’t let Keith get to you. He’s trying to rattle you and make you doubt yourself.”

He’s not doing a bad job, Lara said to herself. She didn’t want to worry her aunt. “You’re right. So who’s cooking tonight?”

“I say we call for pizza and enjoy ourselves with a movie. I’m dying to watch that one about the guys that strip for a living.”

Lara laughed. “Pizza and a movie it is.”

Chapter 8

Lara pushed her food around on her plate. Colby had brought her to his apartment for dinner, but she didn’t have much of an appetite. Not after she saw some man taking pictures across the street from her café. He could have been a tourist, but something about him bothered her.

“What’s wrong, honey?” Colby asked.

“What?” Lara shook her head. “Nothing. I’m not hungry.” Spaghetti, meatballs, and garlic bread were her favorites, but tonight the meal sat like a lead ball in her stomach.

Colby stood with his empty plate, and Lara started to stand. “I’ll take care of it.” While his tone wasn’t angry, it was hard and deep. “Why don’t you go sit on the sofa?” His voice was softer this time.

“Are you sure I can’t help?”

“Go.”

Lara made her way over to his leather sofa and sat down. The buttery soft leather cradled her body. Colby explained he lived above the garage to be close to his mother if she needed help.

She smiled. He was a good man. And just like a man, he had a huge TV. She could picture Colby sitting here with his feet up on the table, beer in hand, watching some sporting event or car race.

The next thing she knew, Colby plucked her from her seat and had her in his lap. Not that she minded, she liked being in his arms.

“Time to spill,” he said, one arm around her waist and his free hand cupping her face and turning her to face him.

---