Free Tristan's Loins by Karolyn Cairns Page A

off. I was right not to go, but he
saw it as quitting. The shop was my dad's life. He thought the car
industry would never end up this way. It was the only choice I had,
as far as he was concerned. You grow up in a GM household, in a GM
town; you get that shoved down your throat all your life."
    "I'm sorry about that. So obviously he isn't
supportive of your decision to be a teacher now?"
    "He said I ruined my life. I can't listen to
that. I don't see him much. I saw him two years ago at Christmas. I
avoid him pretty much now."
    "That's how a lot of people are in this
town," Selene agreed readily. "They don't get that there is life
after GM. At least you’ren't one of those who sit around feeling
sorry for themselves."
    "No, I took it as an opportunity to do what I
always wanted to do. Don't get me wrong, I miss the money," Axel
reflected with a wistful look. "The girls are gone, the house is
paid off. I wanted to do something for myself for once."
    "Good for you." Selene admired Axel for doing
what he wanted to do despite family pressure.
    "Your friend looks like she's having fun," he
noted as he looked over to where Darcy played pool with Sal.
    "She's going to hate herself in the morning.
She usually doesn't drink like this," Selene said and watched Darcy
take a shot that sent the cue ball flying off the table with
dismay, hearing her friend cackle in laughter.
    "She's having fun." Axel smiled down at her.
"Are you having fun, Selene?"
    "I’m," Selene admitted, meeting his warming
gaze with little hesitation. "I'm glad Maggie invited you out with
us."
    "Selene, I'd like to take you out again. What
do you say?"
    Selene wanted to get up and do the football
dance, but she kept her expression controlled. "I would like that.
What do you have in mind?"
    "A movie? Dinner? I don't care."
    "Sounds good, I'll give you my number before
we leave." Selene looked away from his intense regard. "I don't
want to jump into anything, Axel. It's too soon. Can we just take
it slow?"
    "Selene, I know what you’re going through."
He took her hand and held it loosely. "I can move like molasses if
that's what you want."
    Darcy's laughter made them both look over.
Selene gaped to see her doing the two-step with the man by the pool
table. Her friend was really going to hate herself tomorrow.

CHAPTER
FIVE
    The band started up not long after that. They
were a blues band and Selene enjoyed it, her feet tapping under the
table. Axel got up and went to the bar to speak with some of his
friends from his former job and she went over to where Darcy stood
with Sal. Her friend was wasted. She frowned at Sal.
    "Hey, go easy on buying her drinks. She
hasn't ever had anything stronger than schnapps," she told the man
and eyed him warningly.
    "That's cool, I'll keep an eye on her," Sal
assured her. "I left the date rape drugs at home by mistake."
    Selene glared at him but Axel joined them and
smiled to see Selene's outraged expression. "Sal, her friend needs
some air. Why don't you show her your Harley?"
    Selene saw Darcy giggle and follow Sal out of
the bar and shook her head. "She's going to be sick."
    Axel grabbed her hand and led her down to
where the band warmed up. He was smiling a little wickedly, and a
definitely Tristan-like smile that made her melt. "Come on, your
off duty, Mother Hen. Let's go up front."
    Selene was unsure but his disarming smile
swayed her. For one night, she was going to forget about her
troubles, give into being with a gorgeous man, and ignore the rules
of the game.
    "Ok, lead on, but if she drinks anymore,
you’re driving her home," Selene warned.
    It was two in the morning when Darcy was lead
on wobbly legs to the car by Selene and Axel. Sal sat on his bike
grinning.
    "Hey, anytime you want to come on back,
Darcy, you got my number in your pocket," he called out.
    "Darcy if you call that guy, I'll kill you,"
Selene seethed as her friend giggled and stumbled.
    "He's really a nice, normal guy under the
hair and tattoos,