The main courses arrived. Cameron cut into his steak, taking a mouthful before watching me over his wine glass. "So after this, your place or mine? Mine is close by."
Hence why you picked this spot. Cocky prick.
"I haven't decided yet."
His smile turned sharp. "Playing hard to get? I like that."
No. I wasn't playing anything. I was sitting here, trying to convince myself that meaningless sex with a beautiful stranger would fill the void Eric had carved out four years ago.
Pathetic.
I focused on my meal, trying to enjoy the dish when his hand crept under the table again.
He really had no restraint.
Cameron's hand slid higher on my thigh, fingers teasing the hem of my dress. "You're thinking too much. Let me help with that."
I was about to respond when movement caught my eye.
Eric.
He was walking toward our table, and the expression on his face made my blood run cold. He looked formal now, wearing a long-sleeved white tee and dress pants, and I hated how good he looked in it, even with the tattoos peeking over the neckline and scattered across the back of his hands.
"Can I help you?" Cameron pulled his hand back as Eric stopped beside us, looming over the table like judgment incarnate.
Where the hell had he come from?
"Ivy." Eric's voice was controlled, but those dark eyes were flickering. "We need to talk."
"We don't need to do anything." I kept my tone icy despite my racing heart. "I'm on a date."
"This?" Eric's gaze flicked to Cameron with pure disdain. "This isn't a date."
Cameron stood, puffing out his chest. "Who the hell are you?"
"Her boyfriend." Eric didn't take his eyes off me. "And you're done here."
"I'm not your—" I started.
"Boyfriend?" Cameron laughed, but it sounded nervous. "She didn't mention a boyfriend."
"She wouldn't. We had a fight." Eric finally looked at Cameron, and something in his expression made the other man take a step back. "But we're working it out. Right now."
"I want my money back," Cameron said, his bravado cracking. "For the meal. She promised?—"
"She promised you nothing." Eric's voice dropped lower. Darker. "Walk away while you can."
"Are you threatening me?"
"I'm giving you options. Walk away, or I put you in the ground. Choose quickly."
The temperature at the table plummeted. Cameron's face went pale, and I saw the exact moment he recognized something in Eric that I'd never seen before.
Something dangerous. Something real.
"Fuck this." Cameron threw his napkin on the table. "Bitch wasn't worth it anyway."
Eric's jaw clenched, and I saw his already rigid form stiffen more. Was he going to punch Cameron? Defend my honor?
