She collected her purse from the coffee table, a smile touching her full, red lips. It was then he realized she'd done it deliberately — had dressed to shatter his reserve and get some reaction.
"The cut on your leg has healed rather nicely," he said lamely.
Indeed, it was little more than a pale pink scar. She definitely healed way too fast. The three scrapes he'd received across his shoulder had barely scabbed over. As a shapechanger, he healed a good two or three times faster than a human. He'd have to call O'Hearn and mention it.
"Yeah, it has. Shall we go?"
He waved her ahead of him, locking her door and following her down the stairs. But he kept his eyes on the shining beacon of her red-gold hair rather than the enticing sway of her hips.
They drove to the city in silence. It was neither uncomfortable nor tension-filled, just the easy silence that existed between two people who understood each other very well. Even if they were still relative strangers — something he had no intention of changing, no matter how sexy she was, no matter how comfortable he felt with her.
He found street parking, and they walked the block to the restaurant. Han's eldest son, Michael, made his way across to them as they entered.
"Hey, Uncle Gabriel, how's it going?"
He smiled and shook the big man's hand. Like his father, Michael towered over him by a good four or five inches and almost doubled his width. "How's Danni and the kid?"
Michael beamed. "We finally decided on a name. Katie Jane, after Danni's mother."
"About time. I was beginning to think she'd have to choose her own name when she went to school. Michael, this is my partner, Samantha Ryan."
"Whoa! If I knew partners could look like this, I would have joined the force." He grinned and stuck out a hand. "Pleased to meet you, Samantha."
She grinned. "Please, call me Sam."
"Dad's put you both in the Dragon room. You have sole ownership tonight."
"Thanks." He glanced around as two more people entered the restaurant. It looked like Han was having another good night. Already the place was so crowded you could barely move between the tables. He'd have to buy Han an extra large bottle of bourbon for doing them such a huge favor. "We'll make our way there. You look after your customers."
Michael nodded. "Dad'll be with you in a few minutes."
Gabriel lightly placed his hand against Sam's back, guiding her through the tables to the private function room near the back of the restaurant. The holographic dragons played across the ceiling of the room as they entered, the creatures diamond bright in the candlelit darkness.
"Lord, I still can't get over how real they look," she murmured, a smile touching her full lips.
Gabriel watched a sapphire blue dragon flame a butterfly that danced near its tail. Warmth washed over his face, followed quickly by a hint of acrid smoke. The butterfly emerged from the flames unscathed, and the dragon looked miffed. "Han's always working on the holographs. His aim is to make them as real as possible."
A golden dragon dove for her head and she ducked, then smiled ruefully. "He's just about achieved that."
He motioned her toward the table set up in the middle of the room. She sat at one end. He sat to one side of her, but the table was small enough that his knee brushed hers. The touch sent warmth rushing to his groin. He might not be willing to admit his attraction to his partner, but his body sure as hell had no such inhibitions. Just as well he was sitting.
A door opened near the back of the room. Han loomed out of the shadows, his smile almost lost in the bushiness of his moustache.
"Gabriel. Samantha. It is good to see you both."
Gabriel clasped the big man's hand. "You, too, old friend. Thanks for giving us the room when you're so busy."
"For you, anything. I have the deadeners on full. No one will eavesdrop on your conversation."
"Good. The general should be here by eleven. Just keep an eye out for me. I don't really trust him."
Han nodded. "You wish a drink while you wait?"
"Just iced water for me, thanks," Sam said.
"That is very boring, and I do make the best cocktails in town, you know."
She grinned. "I'm still on duty. Water will do."