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PART ONE
“To freedom at last,” Eve announced as she and Karen entered Jake’s armed for a night of fun and excitement upon the word that her divorce was finalized.
“I thought you could use a detour from life here,” Karen explained simply, “Basking in the excitement of the nightlife makes things more bearable.”
“I’m just glad you agreed to come down here with me,” Eve smiled lightly remembering her last trip down here with Ian where she’d shamelessly ended up on top of the bar. Feeling a slight blush as the bartender gave her a curious grin, she turned to Karen, “to hell with the real world. Tonight is about having fun.”
“That’s right,” Karen agreed looking around for a moment, “and fun it is.”
“So what first,” Eve questioned, “drinks on me?”
“I don’t know if we should start so early,” Karen frowned taking note of the shady characters in the room.
“Oh come on Karen. I‘ve already started,” Eve dragged her over towards the bar, “lighten up a bit.”
“I’m trying,” Karen instructed as Eve walked over to the bar slamming her hands down on the top of it.
“Give me the strongest thing you’ve got,” Eve announced with an overly expressive grin, “we’re ready for something good tonight.”
“Having you around here is already a start,” the bartender winked at her, “So where’s your boyfriend?”
“Excuse me?”
“The guy you were with the last time,” he noted.
“He’s not my boyfriend,” Eve wrinkled her nose turning to see Karen staring at the entrance.
“No?” the bartender thought it over, “could’ve fooled me.”
“Yeah well consider yourself fooled,“ she turned her attention to Karen, “Expecting someone?” Eve asked.
“Actually,” Karen confessed, “when I’d heard that you wanted to come down here, I’d invited Frank and Ian to join us. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Karen!” Eve snapped, “I thought tonight was going to be a girl’s night.”
“Well, it was, but well, I just didn’t feel safe coming down here just by ourselves since I know what kind of crowd gathers around here,” Karen explained as the door opened and Ian and Frank stepped inside, “I hope you don’t mind.”
“It doesn’t look like I have a choice,” Eve sighed as she saw the smile on Ian’s face.
“Forgive me?” Karen asked lightly.
“Of course,” Eve nodded, “besides, what choice do I have? You are my ride after all.”
“There’s the spirit,” Karen smiled as the two men joined them, “Hi Frank. Ian.”
“Karen,” Frank nodded looking to Eve, “so this is how you decide to celebrate dumping my step-brother huh?”
“Well, I thought it was safer than burning the lighthouse,” Eve half teased turning back to her drink on the top of the bar.
“Cute,” Frank nodded, “but then again it might’ve been interesting to have a bonfire there. I haven’t been to one of those in a long time.”
“We could’ve served roasted goose,” Eve shrugged before downing her drink.
Karen gave her a worried look before she glanced back to Frank silently warning him not to get Eve started again.
“So what do you say we get a round of pool going?” Frank suggested following Karen’s look and changing the subject.
“I think that sounds like a great idea,” Karen agreed lightly, “in fact we can play on teams. Eve and I versus you and Ian.”
“That sounds like a plan,” Frank nodded turning to Ian who hadn’t said a word as his eyes were focused on Eve, “are you in?”
“Sure,” Ian nodded looking to Eve, “I could do that.”
“I’m not really in the mood to,” Eve shrugged sipping her drink again.
“Oh come on Eve. It could be fun,” Karen urged as she watched Eve down her drink before ordering another, “What do you say?”
“Well,” Eve sighed grabbing her other drink before throwing it down her throat in one gulp before slamming it down on the counter and requesting another, “why not?”
“There’s the spirit,” Karen smiled as the four of them walked over towards the pool table together.
“So how are you holding up really?” Ian questioned lightly as Karen stepped up to walk beside Frank.
“Never better,” Eve shrugged, “thanks for asking.”
“Eve, I know that this had to hurt.”
“Not as much as it would seem,” she answered simply as Frank handed her a cue stick. Feeling the heat of her drinks warming her up inside, her eyes crossed the bar and she saw a familiar face at one of the tables, “well look what the cat dragged in.”
“What’s that?” Frank asked looking across the room to see Chris Ramsey sitting at a booth with an attractive blonde at his side.
“Looks like we’re not the only ones on the town tonight,” Karen noted.
“What’s a snake like that doing in a place like this,” Ian paused, “on second thought, never mind.”
“I think I’m going to go say hello,” Eve decided handing Ian her cue stick, “I’ll be right back.”
“Eve, I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Ian started as she waved her hand at him.
“Of course it is,” She said standing
taller as she ran her fingers through her hair determined to make her presence
known.
“So tell me again why you wanted to meet in a place like this to discuss your investments?” the blonde asked looking around for a moment.
“Because Donna,” Chris explained loosening his tie a bit, “I thought I could use a little unwinding and this place didn’t seem like the kind where I’d run into anyone I’d know or care to know for that matter.”
“Think again Ramsey,” Eve cut in stepping up to the table as she eyed the blonde woman who looked equally as out of place wearing her navy pinstriped suit. Eve flashed them both a light smile before speaking up again, “My what do we have here?”
“Eve,” Chris spoke a bit surprised as he nodded to Donna, “This is Donna, my stock broker.”
“My butt she is,” Eve scrutinized the woman for a moment before she scratched her head lightly, “let me guess, you work upscale jobs right?”
“Excuse me?” Donna asked a bit surprised.
“Oh come on,” Eve couldn’t help but let out a drunken laugh, “how much is Chris paying you for the night? A few hundred?”
“I think you’ve misunderstood,” Donna stammered a bit.
“Oh now sister, I used to be in the business,” Eve looked over to Chris, “granted he’s a lot more handsome than some of my former clients, but I’m sure that doesn’t really matter when we’re getting into price ranges there. So how much did he give you here?”
“Eve,” Chris chastised as he watched her with obvious amusement as he quickly picked up that she’d had one too many.
“Chris, what exactly is she trying to get at?” Donna huffed.
“She doesn’t mean anything,” Chris offered lightly fighting to suppress the grin forming on his lips.
“Uptight isn’t she?” Eve asked throwing her a look before walking over to Chris and straddling his lap before setting herself down upon him rubbing his cheek as she met his eyes, “although I’ve got to tell you Chris, tonight could be free for you here if you dump the blonde.”
“Oh really?” his eyes perked up as she ran her fingers through his hair, “are you propositioning me Eve?”
“Yes really,” Eve nodded with a playful laugh as she leaning in closer to him, “so what do you say?”
“I say,” Chris smiled slightly, “you’ve been drinking.”
“Just a little,” Eve laughed lightly as she held her fingers out in the air pinching it slightly, “but not too much. Just a few drinks here and a few at home.”
“I’ll bet,” Chris nodded as Donna watched the two of them. Quickly she gathered her things feeling the disgust with Eve’s behavior hit her as she stood from her seat.
“We’ll continue this in my office on Monday, Dr. Ramsey,” Donna spoke tightly before taking off and heading towards the exit.
Unable to resist the temptation before him, Chris let out a laugh as he rested his hands upon Eve’s hips seeing the mischief burning behind her eyes. “Are you happy now?” He asked lightly.
“Not yet,” She shook her head, “So who was she?”
“I told you,” He smiled, “my stock broker.”
“You’re a pathetic liar,” Eve wrinkled her nose.
“Eve, do you really think if I paid for a high class call girl tonight that I would’ve let her walk out of here like that with my money,” Chris questioned lightly.
“It wouldn’t be the first time you were screwed by a beautiful woman like that,” Eve noted with a slight laugh.
“And apparently it isn’t the last either,” Chris remarked dryly as she shifted on his lap a bit causing a reaction in him he hadn’t been anticipating. He pressed his hands firmly to her hips and met her eyes, “Eve, I think you’d better get up now.”
“Why?” she asked tracing his jaw line, “did I hurt your feelings?”
“Hardly,” he said tightly, “but you’re obviously loaded tonight, so I think you’d better get up before you do something you’ll regret later.”
“Like what?” she challenged leaning towards him, “like this?” she asked moving in to kiss him with a playful laugh.
“Eve,” He broke away shortly after she’d captured his mouth with hers, “you have no idea what you’re doing.”
“Of course I do,” she smiled brightly, “I’m turning you on,” she informed him moving against him once more, “aren’t I?”
There was no denying the effect she was giving him, but as he saw the glossiness behind her eyes, he knew that there was no chance that this was something Eve would do on her own there. He topped her from moving once more as he met her eyes again, “Eve, what are you really doing here?”
“Celebrating,” She smiled brightly, “I’m a free woman now, so you know what that means?”
“No, what does that mean?” he asked.
“No more Kevin to spoil our fun,” she replied with a playful laugh as she cupped his cheeks in her hands, “now what do you say we cut with the small talk and you just kiss me since we both know that you want to?”
“What is she doing?” Ian asked feeling his fingers grip around the cue stick as he watched Chris and Eve together.
“I have no clue,” Frank admitted watching them for a moment, “apparently she’s lost her mind.”
“Or had one too many,” Karen frowned watching Eve pawing at Chris, “I’m going to go over there and get her.”
“No,” Ian touched her shoulder as he stopped her, “let me.”
“Ian, I don’t know if that’s.....” Karen started again as she watched Ian walk towards Chris and Eve.
“This could get ugly you know?” Frank noted stepping towards her.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Karen confessed watching the scene unfold before them.
“Excuse me,” Ian cut through Eve’s laughter as he watched her holding onto Chris, “Eve, we had a game going back there.”
“So start without me,” Eve replied keeping her eyes on Chris.
“We can’t do that, Eve,” Ian said simply, “Karen needs you to help her since you’re her teammate.”
“I’m sure she can hold her own,” Eve said turning to look at him, “Chris and I are talking here, or can’t you see that?”
“Eve,” Ian started with a sigh, “come on. You agreed to play.”
“She’s busy Thornhart,” Chris piped in deciding that he wasn’t in the position to let Ian spoil his mood as he slinked his arms around Eve, “so why don’t you get lost?”
“Why don’t you Ramsey?” Ian huffed, “I’m sure there’s some other bar maid around here who’s drunk enough that she would love to have you take advantage of her.”
“Oh Ian,” Eve laughed lightly seeing his face tight with tension, “Chris isn’t trying to take advantage of me here if that’s what you’re thinking,” she laughed lightly turning to face Chris as she touched his cheek, “I’m taking full advantage of him tonight, isn’t that right?”
“Eve,” Ian started reaching for her arm, “I think you’d better come back over to the pool table with me. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
“I know full well what I’m doing,” Eve protested shrugging from his touch as she looked back to Chris, “but you’re right. I did promise Karen that I would help her.”
“That’s right, so why don’t you just come on back with me,” Ian suggested.
“Okay, but only if Chris agrees to come play with us,” Eve decided with a smile, “what do you say?”
“Gee, I don’t know,” Chris grinned seeking pleasure from how worked up Ian was getting over this.
“Eve, we already have four players so there’s no room for him,” Ian reminded her.
“Of course there is,” Eve said taking Chris’s hand in hers as she stood up climbing off of his lap, “he can play with me.”
“Eve, I don’t think....” Ian started again.
“Didn’t you hear the woman,” Chris smirked getting up behind Eve, “She wants me to play with her tonight Thornhart.”
“She doesn’t know what she wants,” Ian barked back at him as Eve lead Chris over to the table where Karen and Frank where.
“We have another player,” Eve explained brightly looking to Karen and Frank, “and don’t worry the odds aren’t slanted in anyone’s favor because Chris and I are going to play together to keep it fair.”
“Chris doesn’t know how to play fair,” Frank added.
“Sounds like sour grapes to me Scanlon. Afraid you’ll lose?” Chris challenged.
“Hardly,” Frank shrugged shooting him a glare.
Karen gave Frank a worried glance before she looked to Eve once more, “Eve, are you sure about that?”
“Positive,” Eve nodded with a smile as she leaned in towards Karen and whispered brightly, “we’re going to win now.”
“If you say so Eve,” Karen replied looking to Chris before turning to Frank, “Well, what are you waiting for Frank? Rack them up.”
“You know Eve,” Chris smiled as she sank back into him drawing his arms around her as Ian shot him a death glare, “I’m starting to feel lucky tonight.”
“Oh but you are,” Eve replied with a grin looking to him, “you just have no idea how true that statement is,” she explained looking to the table as Ian handed her back her cue stick. She took Chris by the hand leading him to the table as Frank walked over to Ian.
“Has she lost her mind?” Frank asked watching Eve set up for her shot.
“I’m starting to think so,” Ian replied unable to keep his eyes off of Eve as Karen approached them, “Karen, how much did she have to drink?”
“I think she had three since we got here and before that, well I don’t know. She was at her hotel room for a while before we got here,” Karen confessed, “but Ian I’m starting to think that she had more than I’d imagined.”
“Chris,” Eve laughed lightly as they bent over the table together in unison setting up the shot. She wiggled against him and let out a laugh, “you’re doing it all wrong.”
“I am not, Eve,” Chris protested amused as she laced her fingers with his, “I’m just trying to do this the right way.”
“Well, you’re doing it all wrong,” Eve informed him seriously as her body curved into is and he let out a slight breath feeling her contours melt into him so perfectly.
“No, I’m not,” Chris answered tightly as he guided her hand for the shot sinking two balls into the corner pockets. He smiled, “I told you I felt lucky tonight.”
“So you are,” Eve smiled in response as she looked to Karen, Frank and Ian who all stood there in shock watching her, “see I told you Karen,” Eve informed her with a bright smile, “I knew we were going to have fun tonight.”
“That’s three games there,” Eve announced brightly as she wrapped her arms around Chris, “we should’ve put money on this one.”
“If we did that, Scanlon would be in the poor house right now,” Chris added smugly as Frank shot him a glare.
“You just don't know how to play fair Ramsey,” Frank scowled again.
“Don’t be a sore loser Frank,” Karen piped in, “We won fair and square.”
“Nothing about Chris is fair and square,” Frank added.
“Nothing at all,” Ian piped in.
“Oh Ian, don’t be such a poop,” Eve laughed lightly turning to Chris, “I think I’d like to go home now.”
“Are you tired?” Chris asked brushing a lock of hair from her eyes as she nodded.
“A little,” she replied, “take me home Chris.”
“You’re supposed to go home with me, remember?” Karen added.
“It’s okay Karen,” Eve replied looking to her friend, “Chris can do it. He drives past the hotel so it’s not big deal.”
“Eve, I think you should let Karen drive you,” Ian added, “or at least let me take you....”
“I think that’s not a good idea at all,” Chris protested, “I can take Eve home and see to it that she’s tucked in safe and sound.”
“Somehow I have a feeling that’s all the reason more not to let you take her home,” Ian continued with a frown.
“She’ll be fine,” Chris decided slinking his arm around Eve, “come on. I’ll take you home.”
“Chris,” Karen started giving him a warning glare, “she’s drunk.”
“Your point?” Chris questioned.
“Don’t do something that’s going to cause me to hurt you in the future,” Karen warned.
“Jealous of what could happen with Eve and I?” Chris half smiled, “why Karen, I didn’t know you cared.”
“I don’t,” Karen frowned, “but I mean it Chris.”
“Relax Karen,” Chris looked to Eve, “nothing will happen that Eve doesn’t want to happen here. Ready?”
She nodded before throwing a wave out at Frank, Ian and Karen, “Good night all,” she announced blowing them all a kiss before slinking onto Chris, “let’s go.”
“Ta,” he said throwing them all one last look before leading her into the parking lot.
“I don’t trust that man,” Ian grumbled feeling his body tight with anger.
“None of us do,” Frank added sensing his friend’s fury, “but Eve’s smart enough to see through him?”
“Is she?” Ian frowned, “given her condition tonight, I’m starting to have my doubts.”
“He won’t hurt her Ian,” Karen added, “Chris is a great many things, but where Eve is concerned, he’s pretty mellow.”
“How can you be so sure?” Ian asked.
“They have a history together before you came to town.”
“What kind of history?” he asked Karen.
“They were best friends once,” Karen replied with a sigh, “and I hope that Chris remembers that before they do something stupid tonight.”
“Chris, I don’t feel so hot,” Eve replied reaching over to play with the air conditioning dials in his car.
“Then why did you turn the air on?” Chris asked giving her a quick look.
“No silly, I am hot,” she replied peeling off her jacket, “but I’m not feeling so well.”
“So how much did you drink tonight?” Chris questioned watching her once again.
“I lost count,” Eve replied leaning her head against the glass window.
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” he sighed, “maybe I should stay with you for a while when we get to your hotel.”
Eve nodded, “I don’t really want to be alone tonight.”
“Then it’s settled,” Chris agreed, “I’ll stay with you at the hotel.”
“I don’t want to go to the hotel Chris,” Eve confessed, “I don’t like being there.”
“Then you can stay at my place tonight,” Chris decided switching direction as he headed home.
“You’re not going to take advantage of me, are you?” Eve asked lightly looking over to him.
“Come on Eve,” Chris half smiled, “you’re the one who’s been tearing at me all night,” he looked to her briefly, “but no, I’m not into taking advantage of helpless women there.”
“I’m not helpless,” Eve protested.
“You’re not sober either,” Chris informed her seriously.
“So.”
“So it means your safe for tonight,” he smiled then teased, “after all, I want you to be fully alert when I rock your world.”
“Oh please,” she rolled her eyes feeling a laugh build in her throat as she clenched her stomach, “oh that hurts.”
“Do don’t do that,” he offered.
“Then don’t make me laugh,” she smiled at him before laying her head back against the seat of his car and closing her eyes, “thank you Chris.”
“For what?”
“For taking me home tonight,” she continued, “I just really didn’t want to face everything.”
He looked to her for a moment, “Kevin was a fool, Eve. He didn’t see just how good he had it.”
“No,” she shook her head, “I was the fool. I should’ve known it wouldn’t last,” she shrugged, “maybe I should’ve married you instead.”
“Would’ve saved both of us a lot of grief,” he laughed lightly.
“Yeah, we both would’ve been a lot better off,” She smiled looking over to him, “you know Chris, you’re really okay.”
“Well thank you, Eve. I think....”
“No, I mean it. I know I’ve said a lot of horrible, rotten things to you lately, but you’re always there when I need you,” she smiled lightly.
“Well you’re my buddy,” he said reaching for her hand as they pulled into the parking structure, “that’s what buddies are for.”
She squeezed his hand lightly before letting out a light yawn, “I’m glad you’re my buddy Chris.”
“Me too Eve,” he replied realizing she’d drifted off as he turned off the car and carried her upstairs tucking her into his bed. He watched her sleeping for a moment before walking out into the living room and pouring himself a drink. He chuckled lightly thinking about the way she’d come onto him earlier as he kicked off his shoes. Part of him wanted to blow it off, but the other part was beginning to remember that part of him he’d fought to suppress deep inside of him for so long. He reclined back on the sofa feeling exhaustion weighing upon him as he wondered if perhaps those feelings for Eve he’d had before weren’t as distant as he’d liked to believe they were.
