Solene chuckled. “Sure it is.”
“Shut up,” Hammer growled. “And not one word out of you either.” He pointed at Deacon. “I’m hungry and tired and don’t need the hassle. Wait ’til we get back to Noel’s before driving me nuts. Instead, we’ll talk about more pleasant things.”
He parked and they all got out.
“More pleasant things?” Solene repeated. They sat outside, enjoying the crisp and surprisingly sunny October late afternoon. For once the weather felt warm on the otherwise overcast island. “Like what?”
“Like what it’s like to live with the man no woman can resist,” Hammer answered, a twinkle in his dumb brown eyes.
Deacon wanted to punch him. Hard. But knowing Hammer, the blow would bounce off his steel-hard abs and bruise Deacon’s precious hand. “You’re lucky I left my favorite baton at home.”
Hammer grinned and ordered enough to feed a small army.
Not to be outdone, Solene ordered a burger and fries. He didn’t know where she put her appetite on that trim frame. “Well, hot stuff? You going all manly and getting croutons on your salad or what?”
The waiter added, “Actually, the house salad is a pretty popular choice today.”
Considering he’d been about to order the house salad, Deacon paused. Was it so wrong to care about what went into his body? So he was a health nut. So what?
Hammer shook his head. “Sad, man. Just sad.”
Solene’s light brown eyes glowed like rich amber as she teased him. An ongoing argument they continued to have during their shared dinners. He tried to get her to eat healthy, while she tried to tempt him with bad carbs and sugar.
“He’s passably pretty, but such a lightweight. A salad? Really? I bet you’ll have a light beer to go with that. Or a diet soda? Maybe some rice cakes? What are you watching your figure for, precious?”
Annoyed beyond measure, Deacon leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against her lips, wanting to nip her and soothe the sting at the same time.
Man, he’d been waiting what felt like a lifetime to taste that smart mouth.
After a pause, she jerked back, her eyes wide. He loved the dark blush staining her cheeks, as well as her shock and—he wanted to think—awe.
“Why, I’m watching my figure foryou, sweetcheeks. I wouldn’t want to gain a few pounds and turn you off. Not when you spend so much of your day leering at my fine self.”
Her parted lips and frosty glare soothed his ego. Oh yeah. She wasn’t immune to their connection, no matter how much she tried to pretend she was. He could only annoy her if he mattered to her on some level.
Hammer stared from Deacon to Solene, a wide grin on his face. “You guys feel strongly about…food…don’t you?”
The waiter coughed. “Your order, sir?”
Deacon gave a nonchalant shrug. “Solene makes a good point. I should be trying harder to impress her.”
“No, you really shouldn’t,” she growled.
He glanced at the waiter, who waited patiently, trying not to laugh. “Bring me what she’s having—a big burger and fries. Medium rare. And hold the onion.” He wiggled his brows. “I’m getting lucky later tonight.”
Under her breath, Solene said, “Only with your right hand, buddy.”
