“I want steak and ramen.”
The demand rises from my depths and escapes from my mouth before I even think the words.
“And not from an upscale place.Throw it at me in disposable containers,” I growl.
After the last few days I’ve had, I deserve protein and carbs, damn it.Lots of carbs.Maybe I’ll sleep better tonight if I stuff myself full of heavy food.
Brennan pulls me closer by my nape and kisses me before releasing me.My head spins as he pulls away from the curb.
“Whatever my baby doll wants, she gets,” he says.
I sigh and lean back in my seat.My stomach rumbles again.I cross my arms over my midsection and glare at Brennan as he chuckles.
He surprises me by pulling over a few short blocks later and leading me into a basement bistro with an Asian fusion menu.Too stretched thin to make sense of the options, I let him order and stare in surprise as the waitress sets plate after plate and bowl after bowl onto the table.
She finishes by placing an empty plate and bowl in front of each of us and pointing at the far end of the booth where individually wrapped utensils—including chopsticks—sit in a tray.
I blink, completely overwhelmed.Brennan takes mercy on me and fills my bowl halfway with the ramen in a clear broth.
“Start here.Try everything,” he says.
I nod and absently tear the plastic off a fork as he takes my plate and selects a few other dishes for me to try.
The moment the clear ramen bursts through my taste buds, I know I have a new favorite restaurant.I taste every dish and fall deeper and deeper in love with every bite.
With my belly full of warm, delicious food, I sigh and sit back for a few minutes, but when my eyelids droop, I reach for my purse.
“Let me drive you home,” Brennan says as he rises.
“No, just drop me off at the nearest subway station,” I say on reflex.
He blocks me from exiting the booth with his body and tilts my head back with a finger under my chin.
“You don’t have to hide from me, Audrey.I saw where you’re living and—”
Incredulity spikes my heart rate.I swat his hand away and swing my legs to the outside of the bench.
“Is that why you didn’t ask Ms.Baker to follow me?Because you were stalking me yourself?”
He lifts me onto my feet by my elbows and holds me close enough his body heat seeps into my front.
“No.I thought for sure you just hadn’t updated your address in a couple of years, so I went to the building on file and left as soon as I saw you walk inside.”
I crane my neck to meet his eyes.
“How is that not stalking?”I demand.
He sighs, pulls me against him, and splays his gigantic paws over my back.
“I know I shouldn’t have, but I just wanted to make sure you’re safe.And you’re not.Why are you living in such a crappy place?”
I sink my nails into my palms and barely resist the urge to rest my head against his chest.
There’s no longer a point in keeping this from him.He’ll piece it together eventually.
“It’s the only way I can afford my mom’s medical expenses.”
His digits flex against my back.I sigh and drop my forehead to his sternum.
