Until Darkness Comes~Excerpt

“You’re going to be okay, Olivia. Everything’s going to be alright,” she chanted over and over in a failed attempt to convince herself she wasn’t going to die. She shouldn’t be here. What in the hell was Max thinking? Was he trying to get her killed?

She sat at the table, waiting for him to return and tried not to look around. Her hands clamped tightly together in a white-knuckled grip. Her flesh crawled from the stares of guys who eyed her like a dessert buffet.

 “It is, you know—going to be alright.”

Olivia’s heart leapt in her throat, choking off a surprised yelp. She hadn’t heard the stranger approach, and now he stood right beside her—towering over her, actually. She looked up and locked eyes with her uninvited guest. The intensity of his deep violet stare sent her heart ratcheting inside her chest.

She made a quick head-to-toe appraisal of the very tall, heavily muscled stranger. His dark brown hair hung loosely in errant waves that stylishly framed his handsome face. His angular nose and strong square jaw were nothing short of perfection. What was this guy doing in a biker bar? He stood out like a sore thumb among this tattooed, leather clad, group of men who looked like a bunch of serial-killers. Anyone of these guys could be the next star on America’s Most Wanted.

“I’m sorry I frightened you,” his husky voice was soft and liquid smooth.

“You didn’t,” she denied. The amused quirk of his lip revealed a glimpse of straight white teeth. “I’m sorry, do I know you?” He certainly acted like she should. Olivia looked away in an attempt to recover from her awkward moment of staring. Hopefully she didn’t drool—that would be terribly embarrassing.

“My name is Liam,” he offered. “I couldn’t help but notice you looked like a little lamb being sent to the slaughter, sitting here all by yourself. If you don’t mind me saying, this isn’t exactly the safest place for a young lady.”

“Well, thank you for your concern—I guess. But I’m not here alone. My boyfriend is up at the bar.”

“Is he trying to get you killed?”

Olivia gasped. She wasn’t sure if it was his frankness, or the fact that he voiced the same exact words she’d thought only a moment ago. Or maybe it was the spark of anger that flashed in those deep violet eyes, making them look a shade closer to amethyst.

“Excuse me?” She didn’t know what else to say. Olivia glanced over her shoulder, checking to see if Max was still at the bar—he wasn’t. Her pulse quickened and a wave of apprehension washed over her. If Max came back and found her talking to this guy, all hell was going to break loose. Normally, she would be concerned for the stranger, but at roughly six-four, two-twenty, he didn’t exactly look like he’d have trouble defending himself. “My boyfriend will be back any minute. It would probably be best if you weren’t here talking to me when he did.”

The stranger gave her a full-on smile. Was that amusement she saw in his eyes?

“Now you’re concerned for me?”

“No—yes—I don’t know…I just don’t want any trouble. Thank you for coming over. It was nice meeting you,” she said dismissively, hoping he would take the hint and leave before it was too late. God, she didn’t want Max making a scene here. The stranger paused, and for a moment she wondered if trouble wasn’t exactly what he was looking for.

Finally, he spoke, and she let out the breath that had somehow lodged in her throat. “It was nice meeting you, Olivia. Maybe I’ll see you around sometime.”

The stranger turned and walked away. He was several steps from her when she realized she hadn’t given him her name. She stood up and opened her mouth to stop him, to demand he come back and explain himself, but Max’s voice cut her off.

“Who was that?”

Olivia turned around. Max set two beers on the table, his brows pulled together in a tight scowl. She watched him track the stranger’s movements as he made his way to the door. She expected him to leave but he stopped short of the exit and turned to face her, leaning casually against the wall.

The little hairs on the back of her neck tingled as she watched the wordless showdown between Max and the stranger. A malicious sneer crossed his face a second before Max took a possessive step toward her and slid his arm around her waist. He pulled her close and his mouth descended on hers in a kiss much too intimate for the public eye.

“Max!” Olivia wedged her hand against his chest and shoved him away. The skunky after-taste of beer filled her mouth. She hated it when he drank. Instant ass—just add alcohol. What was he trying to prove anyway?

“God, you taste good.” His low throaty growl sent a chill up her spine and she took an apprehensive step back. Olivia was stunned speechless. Well that was a macho-shithead move. Why didn’t he just pee in a circle around her and be done with it already?

The heat of embarrassment flooded her cheeks when she glanced back at the stranger.

One look at him sent a release of adrenaline rushing through her veins. His eyes were locked on Max with a murderous glare. The once dark violet color was now replaced with a bright amethyst sheen, giving him an otherworldly appearance. He was beautiful—breathtaking—terrifying. Common sense told her to fear him, but her heart told her he meant her no harm.

Too bad she couldn’t say the same for Max.