“Yes, I’ll cover for you, but only if you promise to ask him if he’ll marry you and have your babies.”
I roll my eyes to her ridiculous comment.
“I just met the man last night, Viv.” It’s crazy that it hasn’t even been twenty-four hours, and I already feel like I know him well.
“And yet, you walked in here glowing as you talked about having the most incredible day with the guy. And you skipped your classes, which is totally unheard of for you. All I’m saying is that I like him already.”
I do too. But I never even asked if there was someone special in his life.
“Thought you might be hungry.”I place the plate of food in front of him along with a basket of bread. I didn’t feed him nearly enough today. The man looks like he should have ten feedings a day, and I only fed him an omelet and a pizza.
“You didn’t have to do that, Izz.”
“I know I didn’t. But I wanted to. It’s a small token of gratitude for not only serving our country, but for protecting me.”
“Damn, you sure are sweet, babe. Thank you.”
I really want to ask if I can join him, but I also don’t want to be a pest. He starts digging into his meal, chewing slowly, still looking lost in thought, and I decide to leave him be.
“Can I convince you to sit with me?”
His deep voice stops me. He reaches for the stool next to him and pulls it out, and now my nerves are back in my throat.
“Is it good?” I ask him as I hop up onto the stool. “I didn’t know how you like your steak cooked. I figured you might like it rare because you’re so manly. Not that it would make you less manly if you liked it well done. It’s just, most of the men that come in here order their steaks rare. But you’re not like most men. You’re amazing.” Okay, I’m going to shut up now. I’m doing that nervous rambling thing again, and now I want to jump off this bar stool and go hide in back.
“The steak is perfect. And I think you’re amazing too.” He reaches out and brushes his thumb across my cheek. The place it touches is left with warmth.
“Any word from that ex?” He turns back to his food.
“No. He’s been quiet today. I think he bought the whole boyfriend thing.” Which I’m almost disappointed to admit. I don’t want Rogue to leave.
“We’ll give it a few days to sus out whether that’s true or not.”
I watch the way his mouth moves as he chews. His lips slickening with the grease of the meat. The way his Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows. The way he licks the butter off his finger.
Until this man, I never knew watching someone eat could be so sexy, but I’m turned on, thinking of all the places I want that tongue to lick.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Viv suddenly appears, startling me out of my staring. She’s smirking at me, which means I was being obvious with my lusting just then.
I give the introductions, then before Viv can embarrass me, I’m shuffling her away and getting back to work.
“I saw the look in your eyes,” she states when we’re back at our station.
“What look?”
“The one that says you want that man to eat you for dessert.”
The thought did cross my mind. But he never even crossed a line today.
15
Rogue
“Did you get enough to eat? I have cookies if you want something sweet.”
It’s awfully cute how she keeps trying to feed me, but I’m full. I ate every bite of the food she brought me earlier, including the cake she dropped off while she was busy cleaning up her station for the night.
