‘Says the woman who turned up two hours late to dinner.’
‘But I—’
‘What? You’ve kept us waiting long enough? I agree, so be a good girl and order something from the menu.’
Her head swings to Fin, and her expression is classic. ‘Is he always this charming?’
‘I reserve charm for those who deserve it.’
‘Stop that, you two,’ chastises Fin. ‘Don’t mind Kit,’ she adds. ‘His bark is worse than his bite.’
Her eyes dip to my mouth, and my dick twitches.Maybe she likes being chastised.I brush the thought away. Quickly.
‘Be that as it may, I’ve decided to get a burger on the way home. Yes,’ she adds, warming up to the idea. ‘A big, fat, juicy burger.’ She says this with such delightful relish, darting her tongue out to wet her lips as though she can already taste it. In contrast to the thoughts I should be having, I’m suddenly overcome with the urge to see her lick the taste of me from those lips.
I brush the urge away because, reasons. Many and varied, the first of which is called Rory.
‘Bea is South African,’ Fin states as if it answers everything. ‘She’s a big fan of meat.’ I’m pretty sure I almost swallow my tongue. ‘I think it’s a cultural thing. They had burgers on the menu, you know? Posh ones, but burgers all the same.’
‘But they won’t be the same,’ Bea replies, turning physically to her friend as though she’d happily ignore me. ‘I’ll get one on the way home. You remember home? That cold, lonely place.’
‘Stop it! I’ll be back tomorrow.’
‘And your happiness will be sickening.’
‘You’re making me feel bad.’ Not so bad to keep her from giggling, though. I sit quietly, fascinated by the exchange.
‘Good.’ Bea’s hand reaches out to steal a handful of pretentiously titled chips from my plate.Thrice cooked fries. Ridiculous.
‘By all means, be my guest,’ I respond sardonically.
‘Oh, God, yes,’ interjects Fin, sliding her plate Bea’s way. ‘They’re ridiculously good.’
‘At least they were when fresh.’ She doesn’t bite. Shame.
‘It’s all like manna from heaven when all you’ve ingested all day is a packet of chocolate peanuts and an energy bar.’
Now I really want to help her ingest something else, but it’s not what I’m about to suggest.
‘I thought you weren’t working today,’ Fin says.
‘I-I just called in. You know how it is.’
By the look on Fin’s face, it appears not.
As the waiter sets our drinks down, I order a burger.
‘I believe we have a chermoula infused chick pea—’
‘I’m told the lady is a big fan of meat.’
‘No!’ I’m not sure if it’s my insistence on ordering or the meat quip which annoys her most, but either suits me. ‘Really, I’m fine.’
‘Any one with eyes can see that.’ Balls. Both women now look stunned. ‘You must let me feed you. I insist.’
Because that didn’t sound sexual in the least.
What is it with my reactions right now? I never overplay my hand and never flirt in this sort of company.
