“Yes, and there’s an outdoor food court across the street. We can eat great pizza by a fire pit before walking back to my place.”
“Your place?” He gave a mock frown. “But what if you’re tempted to do bad things to me?” He stretched out, pleased when she followed his movements with her gaze. “I’m just a man. If you try to trick me into sex with you again, I’ll probably fall for it.”
She smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
“Fine.” He sighed. “If I have to.”
“Oh come on.”
“Six o’clock, Polvino’s. I’m buying.”
“Obviously.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and left him watching her.
The door closed, and she was gone.
He stared at the walls, looking at the pictures but not seeing them.I just fucked Maya. Twice. And she was beyond amazing.He grinned. Then he started to laugh.
After the joy settled to a pleasurable hum throughout his body, he realized he needed to rethink his strategy with the sexy woman. If left to Maya, she’d fuck him until he couldn’t think. He’d end up telling her how much she meant to him. Then she’d drop his ass cold and move on—no commitment, no vulnerability.
He’d have to make sure to keep her on her toes. Much as it pained him to do it, he’d have to refrain from having sex with her tomorrow night.
He picked up the condom off the floor and tossed it in the trash. No more sex with Maya? Dear God, could he do it—er, not do it? Maybe to be on the safe side, he’d get more protection.
A jumbo pack this time.
Chapter Five
Tuesday night his cousin continued to harass him all the way to Polvino’s pizzeria. “Classy date you’re going on, Dex.” Anson snorted. “You going to splurge and let her have pepperoni too?”
“Shut up. At least my date will talk to me. Your lady love dreams about staking you in your sleep.”
Anson frowned. “She does not.”
“Yeah, that’s harsh. More like a bullet to the brain. I can’t see Riley getting all up and in your face. She’s too nice for that.”
“First of all, she’s not my lady love.”
Who did Anson think he was kidding? He’d had the hots for Riley forever.
“And second,” Anson continued, “Riley is a mutual acquaintance, nothing more. We’re business neighbors.”
“Business neighbors? Dude, you had an entire city to plant a new restaurant. Why move right next to Riley? I’ll tell you why,” Dex said before his cousin could comment. “Because you’re finally sacking up. You want her, and you can’t stand that she doesn’t want you. So this is your subtle way of making your move. Only you’re a complete moron and it’s backfiring on you.”
“You can deflect all you want, but tonight has nothing to do with Riley.”
“Never said it did.” Dex grinned, always in a good mood when he could peeve his cousin. Anson was a terrific person and one of his best friends, but he was also his own worst enemy. The guy didn’t know how to be anything but the best at whatever he did. Money, work, women, Anson had it all, and he knew it. But Riley had never given him the time of day, and poor Anson had no idea how to handle that.
“Why am I doing you this favor again?” Anson asked as he turned onto Galveston.
“Because I didn’t want to drive, my love life needs help and you’re Mr. Fix It.”
“I thought I was a complete moron.”
“That too.”
“Oh, right.” Anson grinned. “So your scheme—”
“Plan.”
