House of Cards by W. J. May, Book Cover By Design, Chelsa Jillard Read Free Book Online Page A

It seems she was always destined to lose what she held most dear, one way or another.
    She pulled the car into an empty parking space and went through her purse for a tissue. She blew her nose and concentrated on her breathing. Red eyes and wet nose would only invite questions and attention. No freakin’ way! I’ve had enough of that! She wiped her eyes one more time, checked the mirror to make sure her mascara had not turned her into a raccoon and tuned into the healing tatù. It wouldn’t fix her heart, but it might fix her red eyes, puffy nose and the headache trying to crack her skull open.
    Amazingly, it worked. Molly had bought her makeup and the mascara was probably waterproof. She had never bothered to check. Trust Molly to think ahead enough to buy waterproof mascara . Her stomach growled. The bowl of cereal she had downed that morning before stealing back her father’s journal had long ago been burned off. The journal! That bloody thing only brings bad luck! She needed to get that thing out of her room! She bent down and glanced out the passenger window. She had parked right in front of a café.
    Grabbing the keys and her purse, she inhaled one last time and shook her head. The cool air would dry whatever tears she’d missed on her cheeks.
    She ran into the café casually clicking the button on the key ring that would lock the car. Julian wouldn’t be too impressed if she got his expensive sports car stolen.
    “That’s yours? Impressive!”
    Rae glanced down her arm and realized her fingers were inches away from someone’s head. The head belonged to a boy with a long, muscular body. Hello eye candy. That’s what Molly called cute guys. The boy had light brown, almost blonde, brush cut hair. It was so thick, she wondered for a moment if his scalp actually got wet when he showered or swam. She blinked and forced the silly thought out of her head. “It’s actually a friend’s. He let me borrow it.”
    The boy turned around. Hazel green eyes met her gaze. They slid over her very quickly before meeting hers again. “Your boyfriend is very trusting.” He rested his right arm on the back of his chair as he grinned at her. He had to be close to her age. Fitting term that…eye candy.
    No , my boyfriend just dumped me ten minutes ago. Well gee, can’t say that. Out of habit, Rae glanced down to see if he had a tatù. There were tattoos on his arms, but none of them were a tatù. Nothing. “He’s actually not my boyfriend. Just a friend.”
    The good-looking boy chuckled. “Then he desperately wants to be your boyfriend.”
    Julian? No way. “I highly doubt it. He’s more like an older brother.”
    “Does he know you feel that way?” The boy grinned.
    She smiled, despite her horrible morning. His humor was contagious. “Definitely.”
    He rose and held his hand out to her. “I’m Luke, by the way.”
    She checked his arm again before shaking it. He seemed friendly and honest, but she wasn’t about to trust a perfect stranger. The only tingle she felt came from the small shock when she touched his skin. His hand was warm and firm in hers. “I’m Rae.”
    He blinked, as if confused she had a boy’s sounding name. “Unique name. Very cool. It’s nice to meet you, Rae. And your car.” He winked and pointed to his empty cup. “I’m about to grab another cuppa. Can I get you something?”
    “Are you in the habit of offering strangers something to drink?”
    He didn’t miss a beat. “Only beautiful ones my age who drive fast cars.”
    She laughed. “Thanks, but I can get my own.” She walked to the short line and Luke followed her.  She read the menu options and glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
    He stood, his hands in his pockets, grinning, not even trying to hide the fact that he was watching her.
    His boldness tickled her. She pretended to ignore him. After ordering a coffee and croissant to go, Rae paid and turned to leave.
    Luke touched her elbow . “Can you wait a sec?”
    Rae