Into The Night

kid genius and an expert at all things electronic.

“Yeah, I’ve been known to crack a code or two in my day,” he said, sounding proud of that fact.

The second man stepped forward. A bit older than the rest of the group, he was extremely good-looking with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and chiseled features. There was a natural air of authority about him, yet his charismatic smile also put her at ease.

“Caleb Roux,” he said. “I’m glad you came today.”

To Nicole, the name said it all. “Thank you for the invitation.”

She hadn’t been sure what to expect of Caleb and worried that he might resent her interference in Nathan’s case. He was a difficult man to read, but she didn’t detect any hostility or annoyance in his reception.

“And the big guy who looks intimidating as hell but is sweet as a pussycat is Kane Briggs,” Skye said as she waved a hand toward the man who definitely had the dark and brooding look down pat.

According to Nathan, Kane was a Navy SEAL turned surveillance specialist. He was a big guy, from his broad shoulders to his large feet, and his ink-black hair, intense green eyes, and hard, muscular body only reinforced the notion that he was someone who could pose a very real threat if you crossed him.

“I’d rather not be compared to a dumb beast, if you don’t mind,” Kane said to Skye before exchanging a warm, courteous handshake with Nicole. “Unless it’s something a lot tougher than a damn cat.”

Nicole laughed, though the image of a sleek, black panther emerged in her mind, which was more his style. “I’ll be sure to remember that.”

Nathan joined the group, a bottle of root beer clutched between his fingers just as Skye plucked one of the plastic darts from Caleb’s hand. She glanced up at him, a crafty yet vixen-like look sweeping over her features.

“So, Caleb,” she said in a soft, sensual drawl. “Want to make a bet that I’ll hit the target with this dart in one throw?”

He raised a casual brow at her direct challenge, but there was no mistaking the brief spark of heat in his gaze. “You’re not that good.”

Skye lightly bounced the dart in her palm. “Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is, Roux?”

“Have you not learned your lesson where Skye is concerned?” Lucas piped in, his voice filled with humor. “When she bats those lashes of hers like that, it means proceed with caution, man.”

Kane chuckled, the amused sound at odds with his hulk-like appearance.

“Maybe it’s time for Caleb to be a little reckless for once,” Skye suggested, smiling at the man she was teasing so mercilessly. “Unless, of course, you’re afraid you’ll have to pay up when I make the shot.”

“You’re on, Skye,” Caleb said without further hesitation.

She smiled her satisfaction. “What are you willing to bet?”

“You name it.” Caleb crossed his arms over his chest and waited while she considered her prize.

“A real date,” she said without missing a beat. “Drinks. Dinner. Dancing. Maybe something a little more if you’re lucky.”

“And if you miss the mark?” he asked with mild curiosity.

Skye shrugged. “Then you’re off the hook. For now .”

He rubbed his fingers along his jaw thoughtfully. “Not a whole lot in it for me if you lose, now is there?”

“There is if I win .” She didn’t even try to hide the insinuation in her statement.

Nicole found the lively banter between the two of them fascinating. They seemed to enjoy playing cat and mouse with their attraction, with Skye taking on the role of the feisty feline trifling with an enticing toy she couldn’t wait to pounce on and enjoy, while Caleb played the proverbial hard-to-get prey.

“Back up, boys,” Skye said as she stood behind a stick that had been laid on the grass to mark the starting line. “I need my space.”

Everyone gave her the room she asked for, and with equal parts concentration and determination she eyed her shot, then tossed the brightly colored dart through the air and toward the plastic ring a good fifty feet away. She gasped as the dart landed, less than an inch outside the ring. Then she cursed beneath her breath.

“Bummer,” Caleb said. “Better luck next time, sweetheart.”

Nicole couldn’t tell if he was relieved, disappointed, or a little of both. With laughter erupting from the other guys, the men resumed their game, and Skye once again looped her arm through Nicole’s and guided them toward the covered island area.

“Caleb drives me absolutely crazy,” Skye grumbled.

“How so?” Nicole was curious to learn more about the history between Skye and Caleb.

“Can I be any more obvious that I want him?” Skye asked, her voice laced with frustration.

Nicole smiled. “From what I can see, the feeling is mutual.”

“Oh, I know that Caleb is hot for me, except he has this stupid code-of-honor thing when it comes to getting involved with an employee. But one of these days, I’m going to break through all that misguided chivalry of his.”

Nicole didn’t doubt it. There was obviously more to Skye and Caleb than their surface attraction, but Nicole didn’t feel it was her place to pry for details.

They came to a stop at the bar, and the man standing behind the counter greeted them with a devastatingly seductive grin no woman could resist. Coupled with his pitch-black hair and bright blue eyes, along with his gorgeous, masculine features, even Nicole found him extremely attractive.

“Good afternoon, pretty ladies,” he said, a lyrical Irish lilt to his voice that was as engaging as his delivery.

Skye rolled her eyes at his attempt to charm. “This is Sean O’Brien, our resident Irish bartender and all-around heartbreaker.”

“Hi, Sean,” she said, easily believing that this man was a player. “I’m Nicole.”

Instead of shaking the hand she offered, he pressed his warm lips to the back of it, lingering longer than was necessary. “What are you doing with a schlep like Nathan?” he teased, the Irish accent no longer present. “Come and run away with me.”

Amused by his flirting, Nicole gently pulled her hand back and laughed.

“Better watch yourself, Casanova,” Skye cut in wryly. “Nathan is eyeing every move you make and he doesn’t look happy that you’re already poaching on his territory.”

Unfazed by Skye’s warning, Sean braced his arms on the surface of the bar and leaned across the counter, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Good. I’ll be sure to keep him on his toes this afternoon.” He winked at Nicole, confirming his reputation as a rogue.

“I could use a drink,” Skye said with a sigh. “What are the specials today?”

“I’ve got mojitos, blended fuzzy navels, and my special melon martini,” he said, showing off by tossing a full bottle of vodka into the air and catching it in his hand as easily as if he were juggling a plastic ball. “Or there’s beer.”

“Not strong enough,” Skye said. “I’ll take a melon martini. How about you, Nicole?”

She was more in the mood for something frothy and froufrou, rather than hard-hitting liquor. “A fuzzy navel sounds good.”

“Make that two,” a female voice said from behind them.

Nicole glanced over her shoulder as a pretty woman approached the bar. Her long brown hair, streaked with gold, fell into soft waves halfway down her back, and her inquisitive brown eyes regarded Nicole with interest.

Skye introduced the woman as Valerie Downing, the casino host at The Onyx. As Valerie grasped Nicole’s hand in hers and looked into her eyes, Nicole felt an inexplicable shiver skip down her spine.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” Nicole finally said, and shook off the strange sensation.

“You, too.” Nodding as if she’d satisfied some internal curiosity, Valerie released her hand, and the peculiar awareness between them dissipated.

Sean set two blended fuzzy navels on the counter, and Skye handed one to Nicole and the other to Valerie. “It’s about time Nathan got himself a girlfriend, don’t you think?”

Nicole shook her head adamantly as she sipped her delicious peach drink. “Really, we’re just friends