Once she’s walked away, all of his attention refocuses on me.
“You said a Coke, right?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yep, heavy on the ice.”
Bennett grins, flashing those white canines once more.“I’m on it.”
As I watch him retreat, my mind wanders back to this morning. Or more specifically, Rowanshirtlesson his front porch this morning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many defined muscles on a man before. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to jump one so fast.
It makes me feel kind of bad for Bennett, who now looks like an everyday average Joe in comparison to the glory that is Rowan Alexander. But it’s judgmental to think that way, and no one said I can’t admire them both.
Bennett returns with my Coke, and after putting in my order (a chicken salad sandwich and fries, of course), he slides into the booth across from me.
“On your break?” I ask, raising a brow in question.
He folds his hands over one another on the table, leaning back against his seat in a casual manner.“Something like that. How was work?”
I regard him for a moment, consider his angle, and come to the conclusion that he’s trying to build rapport. Probably to get into my pants, not that I’m complaining.
“Good. I went out to that local photographer’s house to try and score an interview this morning, and then—”
“Rowan Alexander?” Bennett asks, surprise lacing his tone.
I lean forward, suddenly more interested in our conversation.“Yes, you know him?”
“Yeah, who doesn’t?” Bennett laughs a bit uncomfortably. “I actually went to high school with him. He was a year above me.”Oh,well, this is interesting.
“Really? What is your opinion of him?” All I know is what John says and what he reports on the locals’ opinions.
I watch Bennett chew on his bottom lip, seemingly considering which direction to take this.
“He was always… weird,” he finally settles on supplying, nervously watching my expression. I keep my features neutral and lean forward just a bit further.
“Weird? Weird how?” I don’t know why I’m so interested in what he was like, or what other people’s opinions of him are. It’s just an interview. But he made mefeel something,and he’s hot as sin. Can you blame me?!
“Well,” Bennett starts slowly, “he kept to himself. Was very pessimistic by nature. I would almost say skittish, like a stray cat.”
“Hm,” I sound, unsure of what else to say. Clearly, they weren’t friends, so I doubt he knows much else. Bennett clears his throat.
“I’m surprised he agreed to the interview,” he says, shaking his head. “He barely speaks to anyone outside of his family from what I recall.”
“Oh,” I wave him off. “He didn’t agree to it. I’ve just been showing up and trying day after day.”
There is a brief moment of silence before Bennett bursts out laughing, leaning over the table slightly to study me.
“You’re something else, Elijah.”
“I thought I told you to call me Eli,” I chastise, and he holds his hands up in defense. As I watch him, I have a sneaking suspicion that he’s using his boy-next-door charm to its full potential right now.
“Oops, sorry, Eli,” he says, his charming grin turning into that of one of temptation. “I just like saying it too much.”
I have nothing to say to that, so I just stare right back at him. Bennett doesn’t seem to mind; he sits still as I search those royal blue eyes of his.
I’m trying to pin down that electric zap I felt the first time I met him—the one that immediately told me to get him naked—but I can’t seem to find it now. Not that I wouldn’t. I totally would.
There’s just someone else that I’d like to strip just a bit more. Maybe I’m into the chase, or men who don’t want me. Or maybe I’m chasing the pain of feeling everything like it’s my next breath of air.
I want to unravel the enigma that is Rowan Alexander more than I want to bend over for Bennett the waiter.
