Hell's Gate: Draig Read online

  Hell’s Gate: Draig

  Crymsyn Hart

  Published by Purple Sword Publications, LLC

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  HELL’S GATE: DRAIG

  Copyright © 2011 CRYMSYN HART

  ISBN 978-1-61292-016-0

  Cover Art Designed By Dawné Dominique

  Edited By Shoshana Hurwitz and Traci Markou

  Chapter One

  Lila swept her gaze over the crates of liquor that had been dropped off. The club was completely dry from the festivities of the night. As head bartender, it was her duty to make sure the bar got stocked, a job she hated to do at the end of the night. Especially tonight, because she was bone weary and tired as hell. Her feet were killing her. She’d made a horrible decision to try and break in her new shoes. She took a moment and slipped her shoes off before tackling the hardest part of her job, hefting the boxes around. Thankfully, the shoes fit into the cubbyhole next to her purse and the oversized jar of green olives. Lila pushed the first crate closer to the beer fridge with her foot and then knelt down to start stocking the refrigerator. The clink of the bottle rattled her ears from the beginnings of a headache that had started to form between her eyes. After a while, the noise grew into a rhythm.

  She stopped to take a drink of water and some aspirin for her headache. Soon, the first crate of beer was put up, with one more left to go. Taking a break, she let her eyes graze over the empty dance floor. The ghosts of the patrons flashed before her eyes for a moment. She trembled at the thought. Hell’s Gate had an eerie feeling to it even when it was full of people. Now that she was alone it was even creepier. Sometimes the floors creaked or the music would turn on by itself. Cold spots appeared and disappeared in various locations throughout the club. One time, she had come in and found all of her shot glasses stacked up on the bar in a large pyramid. Lila swore the place was haunted, but she had never seen an apparition hovering anywhere. When she mentioned it to the owner, Leah had ignored the comment. Even if there was a ghost in Hell’s Gate, Lila didn’t feel threatened by it. The specter enjoyed playing tricks on the workers. Because she was there as much as the owner, she was a prime target.

  Lila heard a squeak. She stopped and glanced behind her. No one was there. I’m just tired. That’s all. Shaking her head, she grabbed the last bottle from the crate. It slipped through her wet fingers, hit the bar, broke, and splashed all over her.

  “Shit,” she muttered, and grabbed a clean rag to dab at her chest. The liquid had even gotten onto her suede skirt, which was now ruined. The scent of beer would never come out no matter how much she soaked it. Gotta remember not to wear anything else that’s suede. No matter how good it looks. Lila sopped up the liquid and then ducked under the bar for another towel, slipping her shoes on. Her feet ached from cramming them back into the confines of the leather. Glass had scattered along the floor and she didn’t need to get cut.

  “Need a hand?”

  Lila jumped and knocked her head on the edge of the bar. “Fuck.” She felt her scalp and winced when she felt a small knot. Son of a bitch. “Who the hell are you?”

  Pain throbbed on the top of her head and reignited her headache. She gritted her teeth and glanced at the man before her. Irritation rolled through her. It was bad enough she was injured, but this guy wasn’t supposed to be in the club. The stranger was tall, bare-chested, and looked like he could bench press a bulldozer. His golden skin glistened under the ropes of Christmas lights that draped the beams of the club. His dark hair was cropped close to his head. He had a strong jawline. When she looked into his alluring green eyes, she found her anger draining away. A large black bag was slung over his shoulder.

  “Forgive me,” his voice boomed in the empty club.

  The tone of it shook her bones and turned her on. Her throat went dry. Her mouth dropped for a moment. Then she gathered her wits and closed it. It’s not like I haven’t seen anyone as pretty as him in here. Get a hold of yourself. She clutched the towel and shook her head.

  “Forgive you for what?” Lila snapped.

  He extended his hand. Celtic knot tattoos were braided up his arm. “Forgive me for startling you. I’m Draig Athar.”

  “Nice to meet you. The club’s closed for the night. You’ll have to leave.”

  “Actually, I was looking for Leah. She has a job for me.”

  A grumble passed her lips, but she wasn’t in any position to say anything about the new man. If Leah invited the man to the club, then who was she to refute it? After another once-over, she bent down, gathered the glass, and dumped it into the trash. Then she sopped up the rest of the beer and threw the towel into the bin. When she came back up, Draig stared at her expectantly.

  “Is there something wrong?” His eyes narrowed. The muscles in his jaw clenched.

  “No. Nothing wrong. Just a long night.”

  “I doubt that. You’re pissed off that I interrupted you.”

  “Are you a mind reader?”

  “No. It’s written all over your face.”

  Lila gritted her teeth, silently counted to ten, and then tried to think calming thoughts about a long hot bath, a glass of Chardonnay, and the piece of peanut butter pie that sat in the refrigerator. Just picturing all of those made her mouth water and her body ache. If there were no more disruptions, she could get home in an hour, forty-five minutes if she hurried. Then it was all about relaxing.

  “Draig, right?”

  He nodded.

  “I don’t mean to be rude, but we were slammed. I’m exhausted. I gotta put up the rest of this.” She gestured to the other crate of beer and the box of alcohol on the bar. “Then I can go home. Leah left earlier. She didn’t tell me that she was expecting anyone. She’ll be in tomorrow night.”

  “Why don’t I help you? It’s the least I can do for startling you.”

  She eyed him, trying to figure out what his ulterior motive was. He seemed genuine. If Leah had hired him, then he was okay. Her boss only surrounded herself with people she trusted. All of the employees in the club were strange, but Lila had learned a long time ago not to go by personal appearances. An extra pair of hands would help her get out of Hell’s Gate faster. A cool breeze passed by her back. She glanced behind her to see if anyone was there, but no one was. It seemed the resident ghost was coming to investigate the new arrival as well.

  “You didn’t leave the door open when you came in, did you?” she asked.

  “No. Why?”

  Lila shook her head. “Never mind. It just gets a little eerie around here when I’m by myself. If you want to lend a hand, that would be great. I’d appreciate it.”

  Draig’s full lips turned up into a smile. He dropped his bag, came around the bar, and lifted the second box of beer. He handed Lila a bottle. Once his fingers brushed hers, an electric spark jumped between them. She jerked her hand away. The bottle slammed to the floor in the same spot the first one did. Draig hissed and pulled his hand back.

  Lila shook her head. “Not again.”

  “Sorry.” He bent down with a rag at the same time she did. They bumped their foreheads together.

  “Watch it!” She snarled. Lila clasped her head. The beer had splattered on her arms and was now sticking to her skin as it dried.

  “My apologies. I didn’t see
you.”

  “No joke!” The room began to sway. She clasped the bar before she fell over. Warm hands caught her and guided her to a stool to sit. Draig handed her a towel filled with ice and placed it on her forehead. The coldness sunk through the fabric and helped ease the pain in her head. This second bump didn’t help her mood. Now she just wanted to return home and soak in the tub. Screw the Chardonnay and the peanut butter pie. Well, maybe just a couple of bites.

  “I’ll put the rest of these away for you and clean up the mess,” Draig said.

  She waved him off. “Fine. Whatever.”

  Lila tried to get up, but sat back down. She closed her eyes and listened to the clanging bottles. The cold breeze caressed her arm. She ignored it. If the club was really haunted, now was not the time for her to discover it. Her helper didn’t say a thing while he worked at his task. After a few minutes of the silence, she opened her eyes. The world didn’t spin, which was a good sign.

  Lila let her eyes rove over Draig’s gorgeous body. Black leather pants encased well muscled calves, strong thighs, and a perfectly shaped butt. A yearning to touch his ass burned through her, but she resisted when the pain pounded on her temples again. Or maybe it was her good sense hammering away to warn her that one-night stands were not a good thing. She’d had enough of waking up in someone else’s bed only to have them dismiss her in the morning. Besides, it was a bad idea to get involved with any of her coworkers. She had found that out firsthand when she had first worked there, dating another bartender, but he turned out to be an ass. He slept with her, then told the staff what a horrible lay she was. She swore she’d never make that mistake again. Leah had fired him that next night when his comments reached her ears.

  Draig’s back muscles rippled when he stood and dragged a hand across his forehead to wipe the beads of sweat from his brow. Etched over his spine was a full-blown dragon, wings outstretched. When he moved it, it appeared that the wings were flapping. The tattoo was inked in blue and silver hues. The work was so detailed she could make out the minute scales along its feet right before they turned into dangerous claws. Whoever had done the skin masterpiece was truly an artist. She wondered where else he might have some tattoos.

  Draig turned. Her cheeks burned from being caught staring. She quickly averted her eyes and pressed the cloth to her head. The coldness eased some of the pain. But she figured she would have one hell of a lump in the morning. Getting whacked on the head twice in one night wasn’t typical. Lila barely ever dropped a bottle of beer. Tonight two of them had slipped from her grasp. Leah wouldn’t dock her for the inventory, but she wouldn’t be happy if she knew.

  “All put up. Is there anything else you need stocked?” he asked her.

  “No. Thanks for the help. Just gotta go home.” She slid off the stool.

  Once her feet hit the floor, she stumbled again. The world spun a little. She put her hands out to catch herself, but instead found herself against his chest. His arms wrapped around her and clasped her back. Her breasts barely touched his chest. Her head came just under his chin. She inhaled and smelled his pure masculine scent mixed with a fruity aroma that must have been the soap he used. Lila laid a hand on his flesh to steady herself. Her entire being flushed with heat from the close contact. An overwhelming urge to fan herself hit her, but she didn’t want to tear her hand away from his solid form. It seemed she was glued to this perfect stranger. Whatever magnetism drew her to him, it was the strongest she had ever felt with a man.

  Draig peered into her eyes. Flames ignited in his green ones. A gasp formed on her lips, watching his eyes glow. Before Lila could utter a sound, he claimed her mouth, his full lips covering hers. Her head said she should shove him away. They shouldn’t be kissing because it would only bring trouble. But before she could grasp on to that, the world fell away. She was floating, and nothing could bring her feet to solid ground again. Her body temperature spiked. Just the pleasure his lips brought to her was unlike anything she had experienced before. He cupped her face lightly, barely even holding her. Lila craved for him do more, to lift her onto the bar, hike her skirt up, and plunge his cock inside of her.

  The bliss he elicited speared directly between her thighs. She squeezed her legs together just to remind herself that she was still alive and hadn’t ascended to heaven. Draig slowly sucked on her bottom lip before releasing it. He then brushed his tongue across her lips. Lila let out a small moan. He made no move to bring her closer. The heat of his body blasted against her. She drew in a few breaths to anchor herself back in her body. Frozen to her spot, the shock of the kiss hadn’t worn off yet. Lila leaned up on tiptoe to return the kiss with the hunger growing inside of her. Before she could, he pulled away.

  “I should get you home. You’re in no shape to drive yourself. Is that okay?” he whispered against her ear.

  Lila nodded, hardly aware of her body. Her brain was still trying to process the kiss. “Yeah. Keys are in my purse. Under the bar near the sink.”

  Draig’s eyes filled her vision. The flames grew larger and enveloped her mind. The pain in her head dulled, but the world around her grew fuzzy. She wanted him to kiss her again. For his hands to wander over her body until they knew every curve. Until his eyes drank her in and he didn’t want any other woman besides her. Those flames became her whole world; she felt them encompass her body and pull the oxygen from her lungs, and then darkness followed.

  The next thing Lila knew, she stood before her apartment door. Draig had the key in his hand opening the door for her. He ushered her inside, sat her down, and then locked her door. The fog in her head had cleared some. The pain was a mild reminder she had hit her head. She was exhausted, but her lips still longed to feel his again.

  “Do you mind if I spend the night on your couch?” His cool demeanor had resumed.

  She shook her head. He didn’t seem to be a threat. Draig had helped her, and it was late. “No. Go ahead. I’m going to bed. Thanks for the help. Sorry I’m not more coherent. Couch is comfy.” She stumbled down the hall and fell into her bed. Her fingers ran over her lips. When her eyes closed, she thought about nothing more than his muscled form lying beside her and smothering her with kisses. It sucked that he was on the couch for the night when she yearned for him in her bed. However, he was far away in the other room and her body shut down before she could take full advantage of her fantasies.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning, her houseguest had gone. He hadn’t left her a note or anything, except a bag and a cup of coffee that was still pretty hot. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and then opened the bag. Inside was a chocolate chip muffin. Odd. Must have been a lucky guess. Still, it’s my favorite. Lila tried the coffee and found it was exactly how she preferred it. After a few sips, she ate her muffin and relaxed. Her head felt better, but her encounter with Draig played through her mind.

  Where the instant attraction had come from, she had no idea. From the first touch, she wanted to taste all of him. Lila half-expected him to emerge from her bathroom, dripping wet, with the water clinging to his chiseled chest. He would beckon her over so that she could slide her hand underneath the towel around his waist and cup his erect cock. He would moan with the anticipation of her touch. Draig would hold her against the wall and take her right there in the hallway. She’d grip his shoulders, dig her nails into his flesh, and he’d claim her over and over. Small tingles of pleasure rode along her nerves the hotter her thoughts turned. When they were done, he would carry her into the bedroom and they would start again. His soft lips would cover her with kisses. His tongue would flick over all her secret, throbbing places until she cried out for him to stop. Although he wouldn’t. Draig would torture her until she was awash in pleasure, and then plunge his cock inside of her.

  The ringing of her phone broke her from the daze she was in. She sighed. It was time to get up. The rest of the day she ran errands and then got ready to go back to the club for work that night. Driving over, Lila wondered if she would see Draig th
at night. Lila wanted to thank him for breakfast and helping her out. She longed to inquire if he had a girlfriend, but she remembered her vow not to date coworkers. Then again, maybe she could make an exception.

  At the club, the music thumped from the DJs testing the sound equipment. She was used to the noise and the various kinds of music since she’d been there for five years. Another cool breeze caressed the back of her neck while she stuffed her purse under the bar in its usual place. A chill ran down her back. Something tickled her leg. She brushed it off, but found nothing there. Stupid ghost. Leave me alone.

  “Hey, Lila. You’re here early. What up with that?”

  She looked up and flashed Tig a small grin before meeting his crimson eyes. His black slitted pupils made a shiver of fear run through her. Lila knew he wouldn’t hurt her, even though he was a fierce predator. “Is it a crime?”

  The lanky manager shrugged and smiled at her, showing a maw of jagged teeth. “Didn’t say that it was. Just surprised is all. Thought you’d turned into one of us night freaks for a minute. Only getting up when the sun sets.”