Free London Bound: New Adult Romance (Chase Brothers) by Nana Malone

buzzing and needing some air, she trudged up the dingy back stairs looking for the roof. Maybe it was for the best that she’d yet to see Alexi. It didn’t matter what he did to her insides; he was first and foremost a guy, so she’d have to be careful. Secondly, he was out of her league, and finally, too much like Evan—too handsome, with access to money and power. She’d fallen for the smooth, good-guy image before. She wasn’t going to be fooled again. She couldn’t afford to be.
    Abbie shoved open the sticky rooftop door, and the chilled air immediately cleared her alcohol-fogged mind of any Evan thoughts. She wasn’t going to think about him or what she’d left behind. Or worse how she’d let herself be treated. And she was certainly not going to think about how she’d left it all behind. She was going to focus entirely on this life. This new experience. She would only be able to live in this dream world for so long, and she wanted to enjoy every single aspect of it. Even if it did feel like a fantasy.
    The dingy stairs and heavy door were misleading. Instead of the industrial landscape she expected, the club’s roof was a lush green garden. A massive trellis obscured most of the view of London nightlife, save one exposed ledge with padded bench seating.
    Sucking in the air like it was fresh water after a drought, Abbie escaped to the bench and toppled onto it. She slipped off Sophie’s shoes and immediately started rubbing her feet, wondering what kind of hangover she’d have in the morning. Was there a rule against mixing sake and absinthe, like there was for beer and liquor? Hell, back home she barely even drank, save the occasional martini if she was out with Evan.
    A couple of weeks with Tamsin, Sophie, and their rag-tag bunch of model boys, and she was buzzed on a rooftop in London. Maybe this was her Sex in the City moment. Though, she doubted Carrie, Miranda, or Samantha would have been up on a rooftop alone.
    “So, first you crash my party, and then you crash my sanctuary. We have really got to stop meeting like this. It could be hazardous to your health.”
    Abbie whirled around to find Lex sitting in a hidden alcove about three feet from her. “In case you didn’t know, it’s your birthday. I think you’re supposed to be at the party.”
    Alexi shrugged, and she was fascinated by what the action did to his shoulder muscles.
    “Well, the most intriguing girl there barely made time to talk to me. She was occupied by the DJ and a stream of would-be suitors, so I came up here to lament.”
    A flush crept up Abbie’s neck. He’d been waiting to speak to her? “Sorry about that. Sophie can be Sophie. Apparently there were lots of people I just had to meet.”
    “Yes, I saw you.” He cocked his head. “You looked visibly uncomfortable.”
    Abbie snorted. “You caught that, did you?” She’d have to be careful with him. He was way too observant. “Not real big on hugging.”
    He scooted out of the alcove and sauntered over to join her on the bench. She caught a whiff of cologne as he sat. Something musky, but also crisp and intoxicating.
    “So tell me, how did you end up here? In my sanctuary.”
    “Well, I didn’t see a sign, so sorry to crash your private party. And sorry to crash your actual party. I got enveloped in Sophie’s plan, as usual. I heard you guys planning the other day, but had no idea it was your actual birthday until we got here.”
    He shook his head. “I was teasing. Any friend of Sophie’s…”
    Abbie hid a smile. You don’t even know this guy . Well not true exactly. She knew he had a penchant for rescues and he had family problems. And he makes your skin tingle when he touches you. Yeah well, she needed to go ahead and forget that one. And he makes you feel safe.
    “Well, I had too much sake and chased it with absinthe, so I seriously needed some air.”
    He chuckled. “Yeah, that’ll do it.”
    “I’m waiting for the hallucinations to kick in any moment