“Rowan,” I warn, and he backs away slowly.
“Hm?”
“Excuse me,” Bennett’s harsh voice cuts through the tension surrounding us, and I jump in my seat.
I had completely forgotten he worked here. And now, he’s watching Rowan with an expressionless face as he white-knuckles his notepad.
“Can I get your drink order?”
“Water, please,” Rowan says casually, not bothering to smile.
Bennett nods once and turns his gaze to me. It immediately softens, his lashes fluttering as he smiles down at me.
“And for you, Eli? A sweet tea or a Coke?” he asks.
If it wasn’t obvious that I have frequented here before, it definitely is now.
“A sweet tea would be great, thanks,” I respond, and he scribbles down my response as he grins.
“Sure thing, I’ll be back.”
It’s silent for a moment before Rowan speaks.
“You’re a regular, huh?”
I shrug. “I guess.”
“Seems like Bennett knows you pretty well,” he says, and I can sense the distaste in his tone, and when I look at his face, I can see the slight curl of his lips.
“Sweet, sweet angel. You taste so good. Tell me—has anyone else tasted you since you left me?”
“No, of course not.”
“Not even Bennett?”
“Not even Bennett.”
“Good boy, Elijah.”
I swallow thickly, doing my best to meet his questioning eyes. I haven’t done anything wrong—just because I once fantasized about being railed by him doesn’t mean I ever actually acted on it. And I didn’t lie; Bennett has not tasted me.
“He’s normally the person waiting on me,” I respond casually, and I realize after I say it that it’s the wrong answer.
Rowan’s expression grows colder.“Is he?”
“Rowan,” I say, and he watches me as he taps his fingers gently against the table. “He’s a waiter. That’s what they do. I’ve never even seen him outside of this diner.”
Slowly, Rowan begins to thaw. He takes a deep breath and shakes his head.
“Sorry. I’m just… wound up, I think.”
I can’t help the small smile that shapes my lips, or the sweet longing that fills my chest. Sometimes Rowan is such a child in certain ways, and I find that absolutely adorable.
“It’s okay. I think it’s kind of cute that you’re so jealous.”
“Jealous?!” Rowan raises a brow, his own face flushing at the accusation. “I wouldn’t say that.”
“Oh, I would,” I tease. “You’re practically glaring daggers at him. Though I’m unsure why he’s not too fond ofyou.”
