Remi threads her fingers through mine as we step out into the shopping centre. “I can’t believe you spent that amount on underwear,” she says for the third time, shaking her head in disbelief. “I don’t think I’ve ever even had that much in my bank account.”
“You’re worth it,” I say, eyes locked on the exit. If I don’t get her home soon, I’m going to lose my damn mind. All I can think about is getting her in that lace, just so I can strip it off her again and remind her exactly who she belongs to.
She tugs at my hand, pulling me out of the fantasy. I glance over, and she bats her lashes, all sweet and innocent. “I’m hungry.”
I let out a long, heavy sigh, irritation clawing at my chest. “Okay.” My eyes dart around, landing on a burger joint across the way.
Her nose wrinkles instantly. “Something less greasy?” The gleam in her eye tells me she’s doing this on purpose, dragging out the torture just to watch me squirm.
My jaw flexes, but I force a tight smile, swallowing down the growl threatening to break free. “Lead the way,” I tell her, voice low.
She takes us to some airy little café tucked between a bookshop and a florist. Bright lights, pale wood tables, and soft music fill the place. Not my kind of place, but she looks pleased, so I bite my tongue.
We slide into a booth by the window. She picks up a menu, eyes sparkling as she scans the options. I don’t need to look—I’d eat cardboard if it meant getting her out of here faster.
“What are you having?” she asks, peeking at me over the top of the menu.
“You,” I mutter before I can stop myself.
Her lips twitch. “Not on the menu, Shadow.”
I lean back, folding my arms. “Logan,” I correct, eyes steely with warning. “Then I’ll take whatever’s quickest.”
She hums, pretending to consider. “Salad, then. I’ll get pasta.”
“Salad?” I grimace. “That’s rabbit food.”
She smirks, handing the menus to the waiter hovering nearby. “A chicken salad. And the pasta, please.”
I shoot her a look once the waiter’s gone. “You ordered for me?”
“You said whatever’s quickest,” she chirps, utterly unbothered. “Besides, greens are good for you. Might help with that quick temper.”
I grip the edge of the table, fighting the urge to drag her onto my lap right here. “Careful, darlin’. Keep pushing and I’ll show you exactly how quick I can be.”
Her eyes darken, but she only sips her water, smug. “Promises, promises.”
I send a text off to the prospect’s, telling one of them to come meet us with the car so they can take the bags back.
The food arrives fast, thankfully. She digs in happily, twirling pasta around her fork. I stab at the salad like it’s offended me. Every second she stretches this out feels like another kind of torture.
“You’re sulking,” she teases between bites.
“I’m starving,” I growl, though I’m not talking about food.
Her fork pauses mid-air, lips curving slowly. “Why didn’t you say? I’d have grabbed something to go.”
I drop my fork on the plate. It clatters, but I’m past caring. “Eat,” I warn, folding my arms across my chest.
She grins, twirling another forkful, eyes wicked. “Are you just gonna watch me?”
“It’s foreplay,” I mutter darkly.
I don’t utter another word as I watch her take mouthful after mouthful, every bite testing my control. By the time she lays her fork down, my jaw aches from clenching.
The waiter sweeps in to clear the plates, and Remi flashes him a sweet smile. “Can we have the dessert menu, please?”
My hand slams over hers, pinning it to the table. “So help me, God,” I hiss, leaning in so only she hears, “I will take you on this table if we don’t get out of here right now.”
