“Mom, just stop. I already got the same pitch off Hads last night.”
Her eyes widen. “I knew there was more to this. Spill the beans, missy.”
“Mom, I’m working.”
“Fine, but you’re not leaving until I get all the tea!”
The rest of my shift is busy, and I try to attend to my duties without thinking about Garrick Allen, but it’s challenging when I feel his eyes trailing me around the room and he avails of every opportunity to engage me in conversation when I’m at his table. Much to his mother’s clear annoyance. I was tempted to flirt back, purely to wind her up, but that would be counterproductive.
I need to discourage Garrick, not egg him on.
I feel sorry for his pretty date because it’s obvious he’s distracted and fixated on me.
True to form, his mother complains her steak is overcooked. I make a speedy retreat from the kitchen after returning her plate as the chef explodes with anger and a slew of obscenities. I wouldn’t be surprised if he spit on her freshly cooked steak before I handed it to her.
I breathe a sigh of relief when they finish their meal and make their way outside, but my relief is short-lived.
I’m clearing their table when I sense his presence behind me. My spine stiffens as I straighten up.
“I was hoping we could talk for a minute,” Garrick says.
Planting a smile on my face, I spin around to face him. “I am working, and fraternizing with the clientele is frowned upon.” I made that last part up, but it sounds plausible.
He chuckles. “You’re determined to make me work for this.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
He flashes me one of his brilliant smiles, and those tempting dimples come out to play. Goddamn it. He doesn’t play fair. I have been trying to ignore how freaking gorgeous he looks in his designer suit, and how delicious he smells, all afternoon. My limits are being severely tested with him all up in my personal space.
“It’s okay, Stevie. I love a good challenge.”
My mouth hangs open for a split second before I pull myself together. “I’m not a challenge or a game, Mr. Allen.”
He takes a step closer, and I suck in a strangled gasp as his purely male scent hits the back of my nose. It’s unfair for any man to look and smell this good. “I know you’re not. You’re so much more.” His eyes seem more brown than green today, and they have stunning little amber flecks. “Go out with me, Stevie. Please.” His eyes drill into mine.
“No, and you need to stop asking.”
“I’ll beg if I have to. I’ll get down on one knee, right now, if that’s what it’ll take.” He moves to lower himself, and I grab his arm.
“Don’t you dare. All humiliating me will do is earn you a permanent spot on the top of my shit list.”
“You’re right.” He straightens up, pinning me with the full extent of his hypnotic smile. “I should reserve the knee bend for more important occasions.”
My eyes almost bug out of my head. He cannot mean what he’s insinuating. “I think you might be crazy. Have you ever had your brain examined, because I think it’s malfunctioning.”
“There is nothing wrong with my brain or any other part of my anatomy.” His eyes sparkle with mirth as his lips twitch.
“You’re awfully cocky for someone I keep rejecting.”
“Deep down, I know you want to say yes.”
“There is that Allen arrogance again.”
“You say arrogance. I say confidence.” He leans in close to my ear. “I am going to uncover every single objection you have and smash them into smithereens.”
“Good luck with that plan, buddy, ’cause you’re gonna need it.”
* * *
