Banger’s Ride(3)

“The food was so good. I wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed it. Wasn’t it good, Banger?”

He looked up, then stopped chewing when he met the glittering blue eyes of the woman who had sparked something in him just a few minutes before. Surprise registered on her face, and a slow smile spread over her lips.

“Belle, this is Hawk, my fiancé, and this is Banger. Guys, this is Belle.”

Banger glanced at Hawk and laughed inwardly when he saw the scowl he gave Cara, and the devious smile she flashed back at him. Turning to Belle, he said, “Good to meet you. You make a great chicken fried steak. The best I’ve had. You make this pie?”

A cherry stain brushed across her cheeks, and she looked down. “Thanks. Yes, I baked the pie. You like it?”

“Fuckin’ good.”

She met his eyes. “I’m glad you like it.”

An awkward silence fell between them before Cara said, “Banger is very picky about food, so the way he gobbled everything up is a huge compliment.”

Belle nodded.

“You been working here long?” Banger asked, loving the way she glanced at him demurely every few seconds.

“About six months.”

“Damn. If I’d known, I’d have been here sooner. I’ve missed all your good cooking, and your pretty face, for half a damn year.”

“You’re being too kind.” Her laughter rang in his ears, sweet and soft, like tinkling bells, and all he could do was smile. She covered her mouth with her hand and locked her gaze with his. For a suspended second, they were connected, but then she looked away and the moment was gone.

Cara cleared her throat. “What time do you get off work, Belle?”

“In about a half hour.”

Cara looked at Banger and Hawk. “Do you want to go to Blue’s Belly for a drink?”

At the same time Hawk replied, “No,” Banger said, “Yes.”

Merriment lit up Cara’s eyes. “Great. Would you like to join us, Belle? I know you don’t get out much, and it’d be a nice way to unwind before you go home.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Belle shrugged.

“She’s probably tired from being on her feet so much,” Hawk said, narrowing his eyes at Cara.

“I’d like for you to come. Give us a chance to talk,” Banger said as his eyes lingered on Belle’s mouth.

Tugging on her silver-hoop earrings, she nodded. “Okay. Sounds like fun. Give me a little time to change outta this.” She brushed her fingers over her uniform.

“Sure, you just let us know when you’re ready,” Cara said, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.

An hour later, they were seated at a small table at Blue’s Belly, sipping their drinks and listening to a local band play classic rock covers. Cara had arranged it so Banger and Belle were seated together. If Belle wasn’t so pretty and sexy, Banger would’ve been pissed at Cara’s blatant matchmaking. He didn’t have anything better to do, though, and sitting with the curvy cook beat spending the night alone at his house.

“Mmm…. This is so good,” Belle said as she took a big gulp of her frozen strawberry margarita. “It’s my favorite drink. What’s yours?” she asked, looking at Banger.

He brought his bottle of beer up and clinked it against her drink. “Coors all the way.” The way she giggled warmed him.

“I love the sugar around the rim of the glass.” She stuck out her tongue and ran it over the edge, licking at the granules, then her lips.

Watching her tongue on the glass made Banger’s dick twitch; he bet it could do all sorts of dirty shit to him.

“Why you looking at me like that? What are you thinking?” She playfully brushed her fingers over his hand.

“You don’t wanna know what I’m thinking.” His blue eyes twinkled.

“Why?”

“‘Cause you’d slap my face, and I’m betting you got a damn good swing.”

A blank look was soon replaced with a flush that crept across her cheeks. “Oh.” She giggled nervously then broke away from his stare, stirring her drink repeatedly with the small straw.

“Didn’t mean to make you nervous, but you must know you’re a beautiful woman.”

“I’m not nervous, just out of practice. It’s been a while since I’ve been like this with a guy.”

“Are you fucking with me? A sexy woman like you must have a bunch of guys after her.”

“Not really. Anyway, I’m too busy.” She took another gulp of her drink, red still the dominant color on her face.

Banger laughed and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go dance. This is one of my favorite songs.”