Lana's Calling: A Golden Hills Legacy Novel Page 9

  Family portraits on the wall caught her attention, one in particular. It looked exactly like Charlotte, the woman who came to her last night. “Who is that?” she asked, pointing to the sultry brunette.

  He glanced to where she pointed. “That’s my second cousin, Charlotte Roberts.”

  “You’re related to her?” She stared at the haunting portrait, feeling the evil oozing from the oil and paint.

  “Yes.”

  “I think I understand now why you avoid me.” She continued to stare at the painting, Charlotte’s beautiful face splitting into a zippered mouth, breaking open, gnarling teeth, blood dripping from black eyes. She finally tore her eyes away to Hunter’s face.

  “Your mother killed her.”

  “I know, but it was in defense. Charlotte would have killed my mother.”

  “Your mother came and took something from Charlotte.”

  “Yeah, something that never belonged to her in the first place. So is that the reason?”

  He stepped closer, one line of sweat rolling down his chest, drawing her eyes to it. She wanted to trace it with her tongue to wherever that drip led. When her eyes came back up, something shiny caught her attention. Around his neck. A gold chain.

  His words snapped her back to the present. “Like I said…there are lots of reasons. I just don’t think it’s a good idea for us to mingle. You’re a beautiful woman, Lana Stone, but I’m not the man for you.” He walked to the door, opening it.

  Many men wore gold chains. It meant nothing. There was no way. “What makes you think I wanted you for my man? That’s a little presumptuous.”

  He chuckled. “It’s been a pleasure. I really wish we could be friends.”

  With an exasperated sigh, she walked quickly to the door. “I’m sorry about your late cousin. Were she and your mother close?”

  “No one was close with Charlotte, but family is family. Enjoy the rest of your day, Lana.” He smiled and closed the door, the gold chain sparkling in the sunlight.

  ***

  “There you are! I’ve been looking for you,” Eric called out as he came down the stairs.

  Lana threw her keys in the dish on the small table next to the wall. “I just want to lie down, Eric.” She pushed past him and up the stairs.

  “What’s wrong?” He was dressed for the evening in jeans and a blue polo shirt, his thick hair stylishly brushed.

  She shrugged. “Nothing, just tired.”

  “Well, get untired and come dance with Diana and me. We’re checking out this new club, so put on your dancing clothes!”

  “Dancing? I’m not really in the mood—”

  “Go!” he ordered, pointing her upstairs. “I’ll wait. Diana really wants you to go.”

  “I don’t want to be a third wheel. Are you sure she’s fine with that?” She started for the stairs.

  “Yep, told me to tell you.”

  “Fine. Give me a few.” She ran up to her room and closed the door. Minutes later, she walked out wearing a brown leather miniskirt and a white billowy blouse with low heels. Her hair hung in waves down her back.

  “Holy crap! I didn’t say set the place on fire!” Eric looped her arm through his and walked her out to his awaiting car that James had parked at the curb for him.

  “Thanks,” she said, giving a confident smile.

  They drove to Diana’s house and Lana jumped in the back. When Diana got in, she smiled at Lana and gabbed the whole way, telling her how she’s heard so much about this place and how she’ll love it and on and on.

  Lana laughed, enjoying her energy. She could definitely see something working out between them.

  They pulled into the crowded lot filled with people of different ages. The full moon lit up the sky, illuminating their walk to the double doors where a massive bouncer stood guard. He bowed to Lana before allowing them to enter. As they walked inside, the thumping music and flashing lights consumed them, pretty giggling girls, and college-aged boys giving fist bumps.

  As Lana walked behind Eric and Diana, she could hear wolf whistles and then being hushed, that that was Lana Stone. She turned and winked to the young men, watching them bow. The club was smoky, laughter and beer bottles clinking. Looks on faces wondering if they were going to get lucky that night. Youthful testosterone and estrogen infiltrated the musky air, bottled up hormones ready to be unleashed.

  They found a corner booth table near the dance floor, the girls sliding in and then Eric. A waitress came over and took their drink orders, bowing to Lana before she walked away. Diana winked at her and snuggled next to Eric.

  “This place is great!” Eric said.

  Lana laughed, never being able to see Eric in a club like this. She knew he was trying to please Diana, which she found endearing. The music was so loud they could barely hear each other. Eric and Diana whispered in each other’s ears while Lana watched the action. She was always a people watcher and especially loved watching them getting drunk.

  “Come on, Eric, let’s dance!” Diana grabbed his arm as he looked at Lana to help him. She shrugged and waved, watching him being dragged out to the overcrowded floor.

  A few men came over to ask her to dance, but she politely declined. She couldn’t help but stifle a few yawns, still feeling drained from earlier. The visit with Hunter Bane had done that to her, and she just wanted to go home and to bed.

  She took a sip of her Whiskey Sour and noticed a familiar man sitting at the bar next to a pretty girl with brown hair. The smoke made it hard to see for sure, but he must have felt her stare and turned around.

  There was no mistaking Hunter Bane’s blue eyes. She smiled and toasted her glass to which he nodded. He turned back around to her disappointment, paid the bartender, and stood to leave. But instead of leaving, he walked over to her table through the foggy air.

  “Ms. Stone, what brings you to a place like this?”

  She scooted over. “Please, sit. Are you with anyone?”

  He glanced to where she looked and shook his head. “Nope. She was trying, but I don’t know her.” He slid in and gazed at the dance floor, drinking his beer.

  “So, why are you in a place like this? And especially being sick?” she said with a small smile. She tried seeing if he had the chain on, to get a better look, but didn’t want to be too obvious.

  “I know the bartender; he’s a good friend of mine and asked me to come in tonight. Who are you with?”

  She jutted her head to the dance floor. “Some friends. They dragged me against my will,” she said, shrugging.

  “I don’t think that’s possible.”

  Feeling shy all of a sudden, she didn’t know what to say. This man didn’t really want anything to do with her, yet here he was next to her. She could feel the heat of his body so close. He wore tight-fitting jeans, a blue tee-shirt, and a black leather jacket. His cologne wafted toward her, making her dizzy. He lightly thumped his beer bottle to the pounding music, glancing at her every so often.

  Another man came over and asked if she’d like to dance. Again, she declined to his dismay.

  “Fighting them off with a stick,” Hunter teased.

  She shrugged and took a drink.

  “Do you like when they bow to you like that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t expect it from me.” He turned, looking directly at her.

  “And what makes you so special, Mr. Bane?”

  “What makes you so special?”

  She sucked in her breath and looked away.

  A slow song came on, and he grabbed her hand. “Come…dance with me.”

  They glided on the floor, him pulling her close, his hand on her hip, his other holding her hand after twirling her into position. She laughed and fell into place. Their bodies moved to the sensual music, his cheek next to hers, barely touching.

  Eric and Diana moved next to them, a shocked look in his eyes with a glint of mischief. Diana gave the thumbs up and nodded, bringing a lazy smile to Lana’s lips. Other dancers bumped i
nto them, forcing them to meld closer. The slow rocking beat gave a sexy vibe to their dance, slow yet fast, the right tempo to give impressions of other types of moves.

  “You’re a good dancer,” she whispered in his ear.

  “Ditto.”

  A trance-like magical feeling came over her, and she never wanted it to end. This dance. This place. This man. Everything felt right. Her hand moved against his strong back, feeling the tight muscles there, picturing those muscles working in other ways than dancing.

  When a faster song came on, they pulled away and she showed off her body in a seductive dance, raising her hands over her head, swaying her head back and forth, her hair flying around her. His eyes were glued to her, as she slowly spun around, swaying her hips, and felt his arms around her waist from behind, so close. She licked her lips, aware of his presence in her, around her, filling her up. Her hands cupped over his, pressing them to her hip bones.

  His breath was heavy on her neck. “You are one fine woman, Lana Stone,” he whispered. “You’re making this very difficult for me.”

  “Good.” She spun back around and enclosed her body in his arms, her arms up and around his neck, their bodies rocking to the funky beat. The smoke so dense in the room that it felt as if they were alone.

  Hooded blue eyes blazed down into her green ones, an unspoken truth, an unwanted desire burning, lips almost grazing but not enough, hot breath singeing skin, nails digging into sweaty skin on his neck.

  “Hey, the song ended, guys. Let’s go sit,” Eric interrupted, snapping them out of the trance they found themselves in, his hands clapping on both their shoulders.

  “What? Oh, right,” she said. “You don’t have to if you don’t want.”

  “I want,” he said, still staring down in her eyes, taking her hand and guiding her behind Eric and Diana.

  She slid in first with him next to her and Eric across from her, giving her the fatherly chiding look. Lana rolled her eyes at him and laughed. She hadn’t felt this good since before her parents died. Even if Hunter Bane would not have anything to do with her after leaving here, this feeling was incredible and she would savor it.

  “What do you do…Hunter is it?” Eric asked before drinking his beer, squinting his eyes in suspicion.

  “That’s right. A small architectural firm on Michigan Avenue. You wouldn’t know it.”

  “Oh, you work in the city. Nice drive for you…what, forty minutes or so?”

  Hunter nodded, his arm on the back of Lana’s seat, not touching but still felt very much there.

  Lana chimed in then. “What’s the name? I shop there all the time, or I used to.”

  “Bane Group, LLP.”

  Eric cleared his throat. “You own it?”

  “Took over since my father died. Used to be the executive, but now the principal.”

  “Jesus. That’s no small firm, either. You always so humble?” Eric questioned, taking another drink and pulling Diana closer.

  “I don’t like to brag. It does okay, I suppose.” He gave Lana a half smile.

  The waitress came over and took more orders of drinks. “Hunter, you never came back to the bar. We miss you over there,” the cute blonde said with a pout. “No disrespect,” she added to Lana.

  “Sorry, Trace. I’ll be leaving soon, so maybe another time.”

  Lana’s heart beat hard in her chest, feeling the green monster crippling her insides.

  The barmaid licked her red lips and tilted her head. “Okay. You have my number, so any time.” She winked and sashayed away.

  “I think you have an offer, buddy,” Eric joked and Diana nodded vigorously.

  “Who, Tracy? I’ve known her forever. There’s nothing between us.”

  Us? Lana closed her eyes and fought that green beast. A beast that Tracy did not want to see. A possessiveness came over her, and she scooted closer to Hunter. His hand casually dropped to her back, taking her clear signal, his fingers entwined in her hair. A shiver ran through her body. What hold did Hunter Bane have on her and why?

  “I’m tired, Eric. Ready?” Diana asked, covering a yawn.

  “My little librarian needs her rest. Big day tomorrow for her.”

  “What’s tomorrow?” Lana asked.

  “Just hosting a signing for a few authors, but one is my favorite.”

  “Do you need any help?” Lana asked, intrigued by the thought of meeting semi-celebrities. She loved authors and anything to do with books.

  “That’d be great! Come at one.” Diana gave Eric a wide grin, giddy with excitement.

  Hunter almost gave her a real smile, like he was impressed with her good deed act. Did he think she was this horrid person who didn’t help people? She wondered what he did think of her. “What?” she asked, raising her brow at him.

  “Nothing. That was very nice of you.”

  She turned more toward him while Eric and Diana had a low conversation, not noticing the tension at their table. “How did you see me up at the altar in Jack’s Church? Like some monster?”

  “No, I just thought you were saying those things because you had to. You didn’t have to offer your time tomorrow. I’m sorry. No offense intended.” He squeezed her knee, sending a jolt throughout her.

  Speechless was what she was. Like she had to? No wonder he didn’t like her, at least then. He thought she was some nasty witch. She now wondered if everyone else in town thought that way of her. She wished he’d stop looking at her with such intensity. “Is anyone else warm in here?” She fanned herself, drinking her water with lime.

  “I’m fine. How about you, Eric?” Hunter asked, playfully mocking her.

  “I’m good. Must just be you, Lana girl.”

  “Lana girl?”

  A blushing heat burned her skin, shooting a look at Eric for calling her that. “A nickname from when I was younger,” she said, eyeing Eric who was trying to conceal his laughter.

  Tracy came back with the check, still looking at Hunter as if she wanted to devour him. She bent over to give the check, revealing deep cleavage for his viewing pleasure. As fast as she bent over, she stood with a shocked look, grabbing the back of her pants.

  “You okay, Trace?” he asked.

  “I just felt something slap…yes, I’m fine.” Her face carried a pink glow. “Pay when you can,” she added, running back to the bar.

  Eric caught Lana’s guilty look and shook his head. She shrugged, hiding an impish grin. She normally didn’t use her power for such instances, but that girl deserved a good swat. She was making a fool of herself over a man, and a man that wasn’t up for grabs.

  “That was weird,” Hunter said, drinking the rest of his beer. “You know anything about that, Ms. Stone?”

  Lana shrugged again, shaking her head, wondering what he knew about her.

  “Hey, Hunter, can you give Lana a ride home for me? I need to get Diana home.”

  Lana’s head snapped at Hunter, feeling bad she was being thrown at him. She never meant for that to happen. “Eric, that’s not fair—”

  “Sure,” Hunter cut in. “It’s on my way home, so not like it’s out of the way,” he said.

  “Thank you, Hunter,” she said, feeling bashful, which wasn’t her thing.

  “Thanks, man. I owe you.” Eric stood after throwing cash on the table, and helped Diana up. “Don’t wait up for me. I’m staying the night.”

  “What about Diana needing her rest?” she teased, a smile playing on her lips.

  He shook his finger at her, smirking. “Goodnight, guys.”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Diana. I’ll bring some finger foods.”

  Diana tilted her head in thanks. “You’re so sweet. See you then!”

  After they walked out, the tension felt thicker, an awkward moment of silence. She toyed with her glass, feeling his eyes on her. Turning her head slightly to him, she stuck her tongue out, making him smile.

  “I better get you home. You have a busy day tomorrow.”

  His fingers brushed ag
ainst her arm, feeling them through the thin nylon material, bolts of electricity zapping her nerve endings.

  “I do.” She scooted out of the booth and walked past Tracy who was rubbing her sore behind. She might even have a handprint, poor thing. “Hope you feel better, Tracy. Try some ice later,” she whispered.

  Tracy’s eyes grew big, a look of fear on her face. She backed up to the soda dispenser, her hands behind her back.

  Hunter came up behind her to the bar. “See ya later, Bruce.”

  “Hey, what’d you do to my barmaid? She’s spooked about something since leaving your table,” Bruce asked, jutting his thumb to the traumatized girl. “You get rough with her?”

  “Rough? Hell, no. She’s just overworked, dude. Give her a night off.”

  “You want her to have a night off? You usually like when she’s here.” The bartender shook his shiny bald head, throwing a bar towel over his shoulder, and chuckling.

  Hunter smiled and shrugged. He placed his hand on Lana’s lower back, guiding her through the mob of people, drunk college kids falling into her with lopsided grins.

  They moved swiftly through the door and out to his black Silverado truck, first helping her up on her side and then jumping in on his. She gazed out her window, not knowing where to look. Her hands fumbled in her lap. With the windows slightly rolled down, her hair blew around her face, trying to catch the wisps and tugging them around the side of her neck.

  “Cold?”

  She shook her head.

  As he drove out of the lot and into dark roads, save for a floodlight every few yards, her eyes travelled to his strong hands on the wheel, his right leg pumping the accelerator, remembering lean muscles under those jeans. Tingling sensations flushed her body.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” he said, breaking her dizzying thoughts.

  “Just tired. You know where I live?”

  He gave her a look like she had two heads.

  “Oh, right. You don’t go in there.”

  “Stone Manor? No. Never will.”

  A question gnawed at her ever since he spoke of it earlier. “What do you know about my parents’ death? You seemed shocked that I thought Jack was behind it. Why?” She turned her body as much as she could in her seat belt.