"I threatened to break bones, not kill him," he countered. "You wound me, darlin'."
"You're a big boy, you can handle it," she replied, to which he laughed heartily.
"You're too much. Let me take you out."
"I turn everyone else down. What makes you think you're any different?" she asked.
"The fact I can smell your arousal from here," was his cocky reply.
She scoffed. "Doesn't mean I'm going to say yes."
"Say yes, darlin'. It's inevitable. You know you want to."
She studied him. "Give me one good reason why I should."
"I'll make it worth your while."
"Fucking hell. I'm going to regret this. I know I am. Fine, lover boy, I'll give you one shot."
"When are you off?"
"Day after tomorrow," she told him.
"I'll pick you up at six. I just need your address."
She hesitated. Did she want him knowing where she lived? "Why don't we just meet here instead?"
"All right, darlin', if that'll make you feel better. I'll pick you up here at six."
"Whelp, break is over," she told him as she slid out of the booth. "Don't disappoint me, lover boy."
"I don't plan on it, darlin'."
She stepped back behind the bar and tried to ignore the thrill of excitement she felt at their upcoming date. She wasn't sure why she'd said yes when she always said no. What was it about Yaeger that was so different? Was it just the mate bond? Or was it the man himself?
Chapter Four
Yaeger
Two days later, he pulled up in front of the Tasty Skull at five minutes to six to find Frankie already there waiting for him. "Hello, darlin'. I'm glad to see you didn't change your mind," he said as he got out of his truck. He went around to the passenger side and opened the door for her.
"I'm a woman of my word," she told him. "If I'm being completely honest, I'm kind of looking forward to our date," she admitted.
"Good to know, darlin', good to know." Once he helped her in, he closed the door, went around and climbed into the driver's side. "Are you allergic to seafood?"
"Nope," was her reply.
"Good." He headed to Lighthouse Point, Thorne Bay's only seafood restaurant. When they arrived and she reached for her door, he growled. "Don't you dare touch that door." He got out, went around, and opened the door for her.
"Being a gentleman, I see."
"I'm a Southern boy at heart, darlin'. It's in my blood."
"A Southern boy in Alaska. How in the hell did that happen?" she asked.
"I'm a lumberjack. I go where the jobs are. It's cold as fuck, but the pay is good."
"Lumberjack, I can see that," she replied. "You've definitely got the body for it," she added.
