I rolled my eyes, but it was only to stifle the smile that threatened to expose my true feelings on the nickname he’d given me.
Our fried ice cream came out, and Gabe patiently waited while I examined the two fried balls with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar drizzled over them. I reached for the plastic spoon that came with the dish, but Gabe’s hand covered mine.
“Unh, unh,” he said. “These babies are to be eaten with your hands only.”
With a sigh, I pulled my hand from underneath his much larger one, picked up one of the fried balls, and took a bite. The outside was the right combination of crunchy and buttery. A second later, the coldness of the ice cream burst through, revealing the sweet nuttiness of the butter pecan.
I held back a moan, but just barely. I covered my mouth with my free hand, freeing me to lick the corners of my mouth, catching the powdered sugar and biscuit crumbs that got stuck on their way into my mouth.
“What have I been doing my whole life?” I asked after swallowing that first bite.
With wide eyes, I looked up at Gabe, who wore a satisfied expression. Those eyes that didn’t know if they wanted to be hazel, green, or blue twinkled with mischief. He reached out and lowered my hand when I tried to cover my mouth again for my second bite.
“Don’t hide.” While his voice wasn’t loud or forceful, it was commanding. “I like watching you enjoy your food.”
I dropped my hand. As much as I wanted to remain demure, I ended up devouring the rest of that first fried ice cream ball and had even less restraint with the second one.
“Want a bite?” he asked, holding out one of his fried ice cream doughs.
“No way.” I patted my stomach. “That’s enough dairy for me.”
He took the last bite of his. “I’ve been thinking of putting some non-dairy options into the menu.”
“So, you are the owner of this place? Toni wasn’t just calling you boss because it’s a cool nickname?”
“Partial owner. I have a few business partners. I’m mostly behind the scenes here, though. A silent partner.”
“A silent partner who makes recommendations to change the menu,” I said with a raised eyebrow.
“Something like that.” He handed Toni our empty plates before turning back to me. “You play pool?”
“I know a little something,” I said cockily.
“Show me.” He took my hand, leading us toward the pool table that a couple of guys had just vacated.
He started handing me one of the pool cues but stopped short. “What’s this one?”
Instantly knowing what he was referring to, I paused to listen to hear the music floating through the overhead speakers.
“Too easy. ‘Number’ by Nick Jonas, featuring Angel Haze. Released 2014 off his album entitled, wait for it,” I paused for dramatic effect before snapping my fingers, “Nick Jonas.”
Gabe frowned. “Hang on.” He held up a finger before heading toward the jukebox in the back. He came back with a grin on his face. “You’re right.”
“I know.” I blew on my fingernails and brushed them against my shoulder.
Gabriel tossed his head back and laughed, squeezing my insides without laying a finger on me.
“I like it when you’re confident,” he said, finally handing me my cue. “Rack ’em.”
I racked the balls before stopping and peering over my shoulder when he moved behind me. “Are you sure you want to get your ego crushed tonight?”
He moved closer, brushing his frontside along the back of my body.
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth, willing the strange emotion in my body to stop before I started thinking crazy thoughts.
“Don’t worry yourself about my ego, cin,” he whispered in my ear.
He went from teasing laughter to taunting flirting in a matter of seconds, and I didn’t know which I liked more.
