Austin's Lost Bride (The Sterns) by Mindi Winters Page B

mind. When Louise realized the truth her affection turned to venom in an instant and she walked out leaving him at the altar.
    It was humiliating for him and all his guests. The ones who were hunters had understood, but everyone else thought he was crazy. It had taken an awful amount of work to mend a lot of strained relationships after his wedding fiasco.
    The speaker started going over all his wonderful credentials to speak on his subject matter and Lucas suppressed a yawn. Why do speakers do that he thought. Their full bio and credentials are in the fucking program, so why not just get on with their speech? He never did that in the rare occasions he was asked to speak. Announce your topic and get to the point.
    The bar was still too far away. He started snaking his way through the tables.
    You and your ghosts stay the fuck away from me, you hear. I never want to see you again.

    He hadn’t let any woman have more than a few dates ever since. It wasn’t worth getting close to anyone who was just going to ditch him when they learned he was a hunter. After all, a shot or two of tequila was better than getting screamed at by a shrew that didn’t care to understand him or how important his work really was. That was all he really needed: good dates with a happy ending and an occasional drink to pass the time. Sometimes after a few shots of tequila, he even started to believe it.
     
     
    People started crowding Casey as soon as she made it back with more fruit. The smell of fresh strawberries seemed to be a particular hit and before the new tray had even made it to the buffet table it was nearly half-empty.
    She took a moment to arrange everything perfectly and took a step back to admire her work when she hit a solid mass. Casey spun around, ready to apologize to whomever she stepped into when her eyes locked with the most beautiful pair of eyes she had ever seen. No exotic green or dazzling blue, but eyes that were simply brown and practically glowing with electricity, power, and danger. She felt a lump in her throat fall down into her stomach and she backed away slightly, her apology a bare whisper.
    “You just said you were sorry, but it’s alright. I’ll keep it a secret,” said Lucas.
    Casey stammered, her eyes trying to break free from his gaze when she finally looked away to the rest of his face. His skin was perfect, with no cuts or blemishes over any part of his face, from his sandy blonde hair to his prominent jaw. His own hungry eyes never wavered a moment from her, she felt her skin grow warmer. Suddenly she realized how a gazelle felt when a lion regarded it and heated up a few more degrees.
    “I don’t know what secret you’re talking about,” she finally got out.
    An amused smile broke across his face and she wanted to tell him to move away but didn’t. “It’s the strawberries,” he said. “The guests really cleared the strawberry tray, but they missed the best parts about them.” He went over to the table and grabbed one of the sweet, smaller berries and covered it in whipped cream.
    “Strawberries are so sweet and delicious people can eat them plain, but I always like my sweet things with a little extra on them. Don’t you?” he said in a far too seductive voice. He pushed the berry into his mouth, finishing it off in a single bite and made another. “Try one.”
    Casey’s thoughts were slow coming to her and she wondered what type of drug he must be to get her so tongue-tied. She tried stepping back again, but the movement rubbed her bra against her breasts and she stifled a groan. There was no denying that her nipples had become aroused and tender. She stopped moving.
    “I can’t,” she said. “This is work for me and I need to keep the table up.”
    Lucas motioned at the table. “Your table looks wonderful. Just like you do. You can try just one, no one will know. You’re not one of those always have to be safe & secure type of girls are you?”
    Casey frowned at his derisive tone