Free Last Call by Alannah Lynne Page A

her stomach bubble
and churn like a test-tube science experiment gone wrong. Drastic,
heavy-duty diversion tactics would be necessary to get her mind off
his assignment, and she could think of only one thing powerful
enough to do the trick.
    “I’m going shopping with Jen and Tiffany
today. Is it okay if I take the black MasterCard?”
    “Of course.” He dropped a kiss onto the top
of her head and patted her shoulder. “Don’t forget to get something
for Lorraine’s retirement dinner tomorrow night.”
    “Oh, shoot. I forgot about the party.”
Lorraine had been her father’s secretary since before Callie was
born. Her father was throwing a huge party to thank Lorraine for
her years of service. Translation: to thank her for all the years
she’d tolerated him. Everyone in the organization had been invited,
and Callie was sure Gavin would be there. Which meant she needed
something extra special to wear. “Do you know Gavin’s favorite
color?”
    Max chuckled and shook his head. “No, Callie,
that’s not something I’ve ever asked.”
    Last night, getting a new, wildly sexy, and
revealing wardrobe seemed like a great idea. The party offered her
the perfect opportunity to try out the new look. But today, in the
harsh daylight, she wondered if she had the nerve to go through
with it.
     
    ***
     
    On the hour-long drive to Anticue, Gavin
formulated a plan and made a mental “to-do” list. First stop: the
Blackout to see if the owner happened to be around this early in
the day.
    Wonder what time Sunny goes to work?
    He blew out a breath, and forced his thoughts
back to his job. Why would A.L. Black be so elusive?
    Wonder if he knows where Sunny lives
    What would motivate Mr. Black to—
    Maybe I could see Sunny before she goes to
work?
    Jesus Christ. Forgetting about Sunny was like
forgetting to breathe. Absolutely impossible. Her cheerful attitude
and the way she traded barbs with the locals made him smile, inside
and out. Her loyalty to and personal sacrifice for her brother was
a testament to her caring nature. And her sex appeal rocketed off
the damned charts. Everything, from her unique eye color to the
tantalizing necklace, intrigued him. Water pooled in his mouth as
he remembered the smell of her strawberry shampoo and the taste of
her soft skin. Holy hell, she was a firestorm erupting in his arms,
and he couldn’t wait to feel that heat again.
    He told himself he brought an overnight bag
as a precaution, in case he got tied up trying to locate the owner.
But it was time to call bullshit. His plans of staying overnight in
Anticue had nothing to do with work, but everything to do with
Sunny.
    She made him feel like a horny teenager,
barely able to control himself. He’d tossed and turned all night,
contemplating the variety of ways to bring her pleasure. In the
process, he made himself crazy with need. The quick hand job in the
shower this morning hadn’t done a thing to ease his ache. If
anything, it ratcheted his lust even higher.
    As he turned onto Atlantic Avenue, he glanced
at the clock on the dash. He doubted the bar would be open at
eleven o’clock on Friday morning, but since it was the only address
he had, that’s where he’d start.
    How would Sunny take the news of the Blackout
selling? And closing?
    Idiot, how would you take the news of being
out of a job?
    For a startling second, the thought brought
him a sense of relief. Talk about crazy. He’d worked too hard, too
long, to get to this point in his career. How could he possibly
feel relief at not having a job? Besides, it would be a little
difficult to continue supporting two households without an
income.
    As he pulled into the Blackout parking lot,
he noticed the beat-up Honda Civic and Ford Ranger—both on the
downward spiral of life—that were there last night. One of those
cars must be Sunny’s, and the prospect of seeing her again kicked
his heartbeat into double time.
    The inside of the Blackout was dark and
appeared to be