The Man in Black by Holmes Steffanie

Author:Holmes, Steffanie [Holmes, Steffanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Paranormal, Romance
ISBN: 9780994133922
Amazon: B019HS7NTG
Goodreads: 28361785
Publisher: Bacchanalia House
Published: 2015-12-27T08:00:00+00:00

Crookshollow was so small that Allan hadn’t even bothered to drive over to pick me up. Instead, we walked toward the high street, veering off into a quaint cobbled lane lined with pubs and restaurants. Allan took me to a kitschy Greek restaurant, where a live band serenaded us with horrific folk music and the waiters kept filling up our glasses with raki, an aniseed-flavoured spirit that tasted like paint-stripper but definitely got rid of any dating nerves.

Our conversation flowed easily. Allan regaled me with tales of life on the road, and I told him about being a lawyer and some of the crazier cases the firm had worked on. As our raki was topped up for the third time, I even told Allan about my drawings, and my plans for getting a large tattoo. He explained the history of some of his own ink, and how he’d fainted the first time he went under the needle.

After a delicious dessert of baklava dripping with honey, Allan asked me if I’d like to go with him for a drink at a nearby pub. I was tempted, but I still felt weird about being out with Allan, as if I was somehow betraying Eric. His face flashed through my mind, stone cold as he watched me leave with Allan. The dinner was one thing, but I knew where drinks at a pub usually ended up, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that yet, not after last night.

“Not tonight,” I said. “I’ve had way too much raki already.” Allan looked disappointed, but took it like a gentleman. He insisted on walking me home.

Outside the restaurant, the wind had whipped up a bit. Allan held my hand as we walked back toward Marshell House. His fingers felt warm and exciting, but they didn’t make fire shoot up my arm, like Eric’s did. While we walked, Allan pointed out different buildings and landmarks he remembered from his visits with Eric. “Even though he was desperate to escape this place, he still had a great love for it.” Allan said. “So much of who Eric is is wrapped up in Crookshollow—all the legends and history of this place.”

We turned on to the corner of Blossom Road. “Hey,” I exclaimed as we walked past the row of shops on the corner. “The tattoo shop is still open.”

“Oh, yeah!” Allan stopped at the window. “I remember this place. This is where Eric got all his tattoos done. Bianca is one of the finest artists in the country.”

Bianca? The tattoo artist was a woman. “Really?”

“Yeah. See—that’s Eric right there.” Allan pointed to the poster on the window of the shirtless man with a beautiful dragon winding around his ribcage. I turned my gaze away, not wanting to remember Eric’s naked body.

“That’s some impressive work—hey! What are you doing?” Allan pulled me toward the door.

“We’re going inside.” He grinned wickedly as he pushed the door open with his boot.

“No!” Panic seized my chest. I couldn’t go inside a place like that.

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