Excerpt of Primani:The Lost Soul Trilogy by Laurie Olerich

At the end of the night, I went to the ladies’ room. Sean was waiting for me when I came out. I stopped and searched for help, but we were alone in the dim light. The juke box boomed through the walls; its bass rattling a picture frame near my head. No one would hear me. I swallowed and kept walking, hands suddenly cold. Not threatening, really, he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He’d watched me all night, but hadn’t said much to me. Not unusual since he barely talked to me anyway. Conversation wasn’t his strong suit. He’d commented on my pool skills once or twice and ignored me. But every now and then, my skin prickled, and I’d glanced up to find his eyes gleaming in my direction. The intensity made me nervous, and being alone in this dark hallway was freaking me out. I didn’t know him that well and anyone could be deadly. I was buzzing with adrenaline when he peeled away from the wall.

“I’m scaring you, aren’t I?” He studied my clenched hands.

“No, you don’t scare me. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Look, I’m not trying to scare you. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m just…”

“What?”

He hesitated for a heartbeat. “I’m here to play pool. That’s all.”

That sounded like a lie and a weak one at that. I put my hand on my hip, drawing his attention lower. “Really? That’s it? You’re here to play pool?” Unafraid now, I moved a little closer. “You didn’t come here to see me? Not at all?” I was crowding him, challenging those glowing eyes of his. Wait. That can’t be right. I blinked a couple of times, and the impression was gone. He stepped back, again. I wasn’t having it this time. I stepped forward. He stepped back, hands raised between us, irritation etched across his face.

“Knock it off. What do you think you’re playin’ at?” His accent was heavy with the harshness of his voice.

“I’m outta here.” I stalked away.