“Yeah, thanks.”
That low rumble of his sent a warm shiver down my spine, making my voice shake a little when I replied, “Coming right up.”
I felt his gaze track me as I walked back to the pass-through window. Instead of unsettling me, it made me feel strangely protected.
But every time his eyes met mine, I felt a flush climb my neck again. I kept telling myself it was because he was intimidating. Anyone would react to a man built like that who paid them any kind of attention.
The truth was more complicated than that. Because I liked it too much. Especially when he glared at any guy who tried talking to me about anything other than their order. Butterflies fluttered low in my belly every time.
Not that I’d ever admit that to anyone other than myself.
When I brought Kevlar his coffee, his gaze met mine again, and I stumbled over my words. “I’ll…um…be back with…um…your food soon.”
His chin tipped up, and his firm lips quirked at the edges.
As I walked away, that restless feeling I’d had all morning eased for the first time today. When Kevlar was here, I felt safer.
The rest of the shift slipped into its usual easy rhythm. Even after the dinner rush ended, Kevlar was still in his booth. It meant I technically had one fewer table available during thebusy part of the evening, but I didn’t mind. Not if he was the one sitting in it.
I kept stealing glances at him whenever I passed by. Quick looks I pretended were accidental, even though we both knew they weren’t.
A little while later, a man slid into the booth behind him.
“Hey there.” He flashed me a smile when I came over with a coffee pot. “Could I get a cup?”
“Of course.”
I poured it for him and took his order. When his food was ready, I brought it over, balancing the plate carefully.
I’d barely set it down before he asked, “You always work this late? Is it usually this slow like tonight?”
Kevlar stilled, his shoulders tightening just slightly. After watching him so closely these past five days, I was probably the only person who noticed he was listening.
If I didn’t finish the conversation quickly, I figured he’d start glaring at the guy next. So I just shrugged and murmured, “I’m here whenever I’m needed. But it’s nice to be able to have time to actually talk to my customers rather than rushing from table to table.”
He laughed. “Does working nights make you nervous? Or are you used to it by now?”
Kevlar’s jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed at the back of the man’s head. I assumed the question irritated him. Like the guy was implying that Riverstone wasn’t safe when the Hounds took a lot of pride in keeping it that way.
I shook my head with a laugh. “Crime isn’t exactly running rampant in Hounds of Hellfire territory. But I’m careful anyway.”
He just nodded and dug into his meal. I tried to ignore the strange flutter of nerves as I walked away, trying to chalk it upto being overly aware of Kevlar. But I knew part of it was being a little unsettled by the guy’s questions.
But when I came back later to drop off his check, the man gave me a concerned look. “I hope you have someone to see you home.”
Kevlar was out of his seat before I could even think of a reply. One second, I was staring at the man’s concerned expression, and the next, there was a wall of muscle beside me.
His focus stayed on my customer as he growled, “She does.”
Warmth flooded my chest, spreading out in a rush that stole my breath for a beat while butterflies erupted in my belly.
Kevlar made me feel safer than I had any right to be with a man I barely knew.
4
KEVLAR
The guy smiled as he scooted out of the booth, a little too easily. Too damn smooth.
