Free Awakening by Olivia Hayes Page B

a couple weeks ago. He hasn't been caught. Y'all stay together okay?"
    "We will Mom, and the guys will be there too," I reassured her.
    Then, I kissed her on the cheek and walked outside to see Luke clo sing the back door of his truck after helping Anne Marie inside. I walked down the stairs, and he opened the passenger door, holding out his hand to me. As my hand touched his, I felt sparks in my belly, and looked to him to see if he felt it too.
    "Caroline, I know how sudden this all is. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, but I-"
    "Let's go you love birds, I want to get my drink on!" Eva interrupted, reaching over the front seat to honk the horn.
    "Later?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "When there aren't so many witnesses."
    He nodded, helping me into the truck.
    ~~~~
    When we entered The Back Porch Bar & Grill Luke led us through the restaurant area and out the back door onto the porch where Nick was waiting for us in a booth with another man. They stood as we walked over.
    "Hope y'all don't mind, but I asked my little brother to join us," he said, looking right at Anne Marie.
    "Damn Nick, you certainly couldn't be more obvious!" The brother said, elbowing him. "I'm Ben, it's nice to meet y'all."
    Nick made the introductions all the way around as we slid into the booth. When he got to Anne Marie, Ben lifted her hand, planting a light kiss on her fingers. I think it may have been love at first sight because Anne Marie, who was sliding into the booth next to me, slowly stood and slid in next to Ben instead. I had to admit, he was a pretty good looking guy with the same sandy hair and gray eyes as Nick.
    "I stopped by my brother's office this afternoon to discuss a business o pportunity and on my way there I saw three lovely ladies, that I didn't recognize from around here, coming out of Mimi's Boutique. "
    Oops, b usted!
    "I happened to mention the dark headed vixen amongst them to Nick, and he invited me for drinks tonight. What a surprise it was when you walked in," Ben said, putting his arm around Anne Marie's shoulders.
    "Get a room!" Eva shouted at them, lightening the mood and drawing a laugh from everyone else. She was seated across the booth from Nick, who was next to Ben and Anne Marie. That left me in between Eva and Luke.
    The booth wasn't re ally large enough for all of us with all these broad shouldered men cramming in and my thigh was solidly up against Luke's. I felt like my leg was on fire where it met his and I squirmed toward Eva trying to get some relief. Luke looked directly at me and put his hand firmly on my knee, holding me in place. His fingers traced slow circles over my knee, sending sparks of heat straight to my center.
    I looked around noticing the large porch area we were on was built around several large trees that were lit with white lights around their trunks and through their lower branches. The walls were created by white lattice that had honeysuckle and jasmine winding through it. The dance floor and stage took up most of the covered area in the back and the large teak bar took up one whole side of the porch space in the front. There were only a few other people occupying tables at the moment, and one guy sitting at the bar, who it seemed, liked to stare because every time I looked that way, he was looking at me, or at our table anyway.
    The waitress came by to get our drink order. Eva, ever the parti er, ordered shots for the table. I had never been a big drinker, so I tried to just get a water, but Eva would have nothing to do with it, and asked the waitress to bring me an Appletini. I thought to object, but I was very conscious of Luke's hand on my knee, and decided I could use a little something take the edge off.
    When the drinks arrived, Eva passed out the shots.
    "To the future, whatever it may hold," she toasted.
    The combination of different liquors burned it's way to my belly, warming me from the inside. Just then the band started playing.
    "Care for a dance, Savannah?" His