She's looking around, completely paranoid. "Is there someone after us?"
I raise my eyebrows and smile. "What would make you think that?"
Her brows furrow. "I … uh. In there … " The restaurant isn't far. She needs to hurry up with her answer.
"You … "
I can't contain my grin. She's so fucking sexy when she's speechless. Because of me.
"The car earlier."
"I don't know where it went. I was just blowing off steam. Were you scared?" I ask, completely serious now.
Her eyes widen. "Blowing. Off. Steam?" And she looks like she's about to blow a gasket. And I didn't think her brown, almond-shaped eyes could get any larger, but they do. "Blowing off steam?" she screams as she shoves my arm.
"Hey! I'm driving. If you want to give me a hand job, a blow job, kiss me any fucking where, that's fine. But no physical abuse while I'm driving."
"You're disgusting, Theo."
I suck my lips in, licking them, then bite my lower lip. I should shut up, but damn, I find myself always wanting the last word with her. "That may be true. But you like it. Do you want me to tell you how I know you like it, Jules?"
Pulling into the parking lot, I put the car in neutral and pull the parking brake.
She crosses her arms and looks away. "No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me."
"Damn straight." I lean over, tilting her head back so she's looking at me. "Your breath hitches every time you're near me. You inhale my scent the same way I do yours, and every now and again, you squeeze those sexy legs closed." I trail my eyes down to that five-point harness. I strum a finger from her knee up toward the juncture of her thigh. "I'm guessing to dull the throbbing that's not being satisfied by the fucker of a fiancé you have. And you're curious if maybe I could fix that for you, but you feel guilty for even thinking such a thing."
She swats my hand away. "You're wrong."
"No." I shake my head. "My ability to read people is a gift." I search her eyes, trying to read her better. Because she's the one person I can't seem to get a grip on. Charlie. I can read him. He's a fucking asshole douche. Angelo. There's something there that makes him a little more redeeming than Charlie, but I can't put my finger on it. But her. I can't tell if she's good or if I just am willing her to be because I want to fuck her so bad. "And you most definitely want to squeeze them together. And you absolutely like me. I'm not sure if it's the mouth, the package, or a combination. But you're here with me because you're curious and because you like the way I'm making you feel."
She throws her head back laughing, and it's contagious. Damn, she's beautiful. "In case you've forgotten, you had me pinned against a concrete wall and practically kidnapped me into this meeting."
I put my finger up to her lips. Her pretty, pink, soft, kissable lips. My dick twitches. "Careful. We also established you could have chosen to leave many times tonight had you wanted. Remember, agapemèni?" Pulling my finger down, I drag her bottom lip with it. And just like I expected, her breath hitches and her eyes become hooded. I could go in right now and claim her lips.
She turns her head to the side. "We could go in circles all night. You owe me dinner. I'm starving."
I can't help but smile. Maybe I'll finally be able to read her more clearly during dinner. Best case scenario, I can tell she's not involved, she offers to cooperate, she sees what a dick Charlie is, and we end this going back to my place.
"What's that cheesy grin for?"
"Nothing." I cut the ignition, unbuckle, and watch as she undoes hers, longing to do it for her. "You're going to love the food here."
"That's it? You like the food that much?"
The food and you, Jules. I just hope you're not going to put a sour taste in my mouth by the end of the night. "Yeah. Just the food."
She smoothes the red fabric of her dress. "It's all wrinkled now."
"Please." I laugh. She's cute, picking at it. There's something else bothering her. "We were barely in here. If it got them that quickly, they'll fall out before you even get to the entrance. Let's go. You're dying to eat, and I'm dying to talk."
She bites her bottom lip and does this sideways wicked grin.
"What?"
"That's so not the way it's supposed to go."
I scrunch my face, totally confused as to what she's talking about. "Huh?"
"Girls are supposed to be the ones who like to talk. Guys are the ones who usually like to eat."
"Yeah. Well, I guess I'm hoping you're going to do both. And I plan to do a little of each too."
She quits picking. "About investments."
I turn my head. "Inside, Jules. It's gettin' cold in here."
"Right."
I frown. "Where's your fucking coat? It's the middle of winter in Amberton."
We get out, and she glances over the car at me. "In my car, asshole."
Rolling my eyes, I shrug out of my jacket. "It's not my fault you left it in your vehicle this morning. I'm not sure what possessed you to do that, though. But here."
She shakes her head. "I'm fine."
"Jules." I drop my head. "It's below freezing. It's just an article of clothing. Take it."
"No. Shut up and walk. It's not that far, right?"
Is she usually this bossy? To Charlie? I wonder how well he submits to that. Pointing to the alley, I lean down to her ear. "It's up there to the right. You smell it?"
"I don't know what I smell, but whatever it is has me wanting to grow fangs and attack."
I chuckle. "You can attack me anytime."
She elbows me. "Are you always horny like a teenage boy?"
"Are you always bossy? Do you always leave your coat in your car when it's supposed to be an ice box outside?" I gravitate toward her, nudging her back. The reality being that I can't keep my fucking hands to myself. "Are you always stubborn when people offer you something that's intended to give you comfort?"
"You and your jacket don't bring me comfort, Theo."
"Burn." I put my coat back on. If she's not going to wear it, I'm not wasting the little bit of warmth it provides.
A loud boom explodes. "Fuck." I grab her and pull her against me, dragging her behind one of the buildings. "Shh."
She jumps initially, but then she starts to giggle. Giggle. As rain starts to fall from the sky. Her eyes are totally amused. And I feel like a fucking idiot. "Seriously? Get your hands off me, Theo. And someone's a little jumpy," she says before making a mad dash past me and back into the alley. She looks back over her shoulder. "Let's go. Or you're going to owe me a dry cleaning and shoe allowance in addition to dinner."
I bite my cheek as I glance away. "Yeah. I'm right behind you." The drops start to beat down faster and harder. It only takes me a few strides before I'm beside her.
"I could carry you. We'd make it a lot faster."
"Hell to the no. And of course, you didn't think to bring an umbrella, right?"
"No. I didn't bring an umbrella. And if I did, I wouldn't share it with you because me, my jacket, and I would imagine my umbrella doesn't bring you comfort." I trace my teeth with my tongue as her eyes become slits. "Right?" I stop. "This is it." Opening the door, I let her walk in first.
The hostess, Mina, scans us over.
I smile. "Sorry. No umbrella and the bottom fell out."
She nods. "Just the two of you?"
I walk up behind Jules and put my hands on her shoulders, bringing her back to my front, then rubbing my hands up and down her arms. "Yeah, just the two of us." Then, I lean into her ear. "You're shivering. Just warming you up. You're going to take my comfort whether you want it or not." She stiffens beneath me. "If you'd put my coat on, maybe you wouldn't be so cold right now."
She spins in my arms. We're face to face, our noses nearly touching. Her chest is bouncing with her labored breaths. Fuck yeah. "If … if … "
I arch an eyebrow. "Let's not have this same conversation about how if I'd not blah, blah, blah." I lean into her ear. "If you mention any other 'K' word other than kinky in this establishment, there will be consequences. When I pull back, smile and act like I just told you how much, how bad, I want to fuck you. And pretend you are thinking about how much you're thinking you're going to enjoy it. Oh wait. That wouldn't be pretending." My lips curve in a smile as I pull back.
Her eyes are like lava. She's panting. Her cheeks are crimson. More telling than all of those other indicators, though, is that she does that damn thing with her thighs again. A low, throaty rumble of something escapes my throat.
She attempts to take a step away from me, but I shake my head. No, sweet, Jules. That's not how we're going to play this game. She freezes. "You're so fucking beautiful." Good girl.
"I'm not cold anymore. Thanks for warming me up."
"Anytime. The pleasure was mine."
"Theo. Your table's ready."
"They know you by name around here?" she asks as I place my hand on the small of my back, pushing her in the direction of Mina. "Or does she just know you by name?" She turns and glances over her shoulder.