The Opium Room Read Online Free PDF

scooted down to Lea and slid his hand across the bar, capturing hers. While kissing the back of her hand, he peered up at her and gave her a wink. “How do you do?”
    Lea blushed, smiled. “Fine, thank you.” God, she was pathetically impressionable. Because of her self–imposed dating exile, it’d been forever since she’d received any attention from men. Twice in one day was flattering—almost to the pointing of overwhelming her. The bartender wasn’t in Fox’s league in the looks department, and still he had affected her with his suave greeting.
    In the background there was a ding, followed by a voice. “That’ll do, Martin.
    Lea turned and saw Fox. At the same time, she felt Martin’s grip release from her hand.
    Fox had just stepped off the elevator, and as he made his approach, he kept his eyes on Martin, who was scurrying to the other end of the bar.
    As if that were her cue, Karrigan jumped down from her stool and moseyed to a small table in the bar where two guys were sitting, and pulled out a chair.
    Fox said, “Was Martin bothering you?”
    “No, not at all. Why do you ask?”
    Fox was still eyeing Martin. “There’s something about that guy. I hired him a few months ago. It was Christmastime then and we desperately needed an extra hand, so I brought him on against my better judgment. He’s never done anything wrong, but there’s something suspicious about him.”
    “Don’t worry. He was just being courteous.”
    Fox forced his eyes away from Martin down to Lea. “Did you enjoy dinner?”
    “Oh, my, yes. Your brother is an excellent chef. I’d love to tell him myself how much I enjoyed it.”
    Fox’s dark eyes twinkled. A confident grin found its place on his lips. Lips that Lea would love to kiss. Just once. And then find a way to make him forget it ever happened.
    “Does that mean you’re accepting my offer?”
    “I thought about it, but I can’t. It’s not practical to stay somewhere else when I already have reservations where the conference is being held.”
    “Regrettably, I do understand,” Fox said. “From behind his back, he brought out a medium–sized gold box with a bow on top. “Here.”
    “What’s this?”
    “Bourbon cake cupcake. You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?”
    “Thank you.” While Fox sat in the chair next to her, Lea opened the lid to uncover a large, elaborately decorated cupcake. The swirl of icing was as high as the cupcake itself and sprinkled with golden flecks that matched the box it came in.
    “Yum, smells delightful. I can’t wait to get into this later. I think I’ll wait till I get back to my hotel, because I might make a mess when I cut into it.”
    “Cut into it? Don’t most people just bite into it?”
    Lea shook her head. “Not me. I turn it into a sandwich.”
    “Do what?”
    “You have a bakery here and none of your employees have ever made a cupcake sandwich?”
    “No, but if you show me how, I’m sure I can pass along the information.”
    “All right, but it’s messy. Can you get me a knife?”
    Fox held up a hand and yelled for Martin.
    Martin rushed down to them. “Yes, sir?”
    “I need a knife. And a Miller Light.” He looked at Lea. “Do you want another…” He gestured to her empty glass.
    Lea was a little embarrassed at how fast she’d swooshed down her drink. She didn’t even remember sipping it. Either she was just nervous, or it was plainly the best drink ever. “I think Karrigan called it a Beacon.”
    “And a Beacon,” Fox told Martin.
    “Coming right up.” Martin got busy behind the bar.
    “What in the world is a Beacon?” Fox asked Lea.
    “Something Karrigan suggested. I tell you, Martin’s a darn good bartender because it’s as yummy as she said it would be. Not that I drink much.”
    “I don’t know if Martin should get the credit; Karrigan probably taught him how to make it.”
    Lea looked at Karrigan across the room. Half of her body was leaning across the small oval table, elbow