“Maturity is overrated, and they’re both roast beef, so no worries.”
“It’s good,” I reply, taking another bite. “Tell me about yourself, Mason. What do you do other than stalk your volunteers?”
“I teach Mixed Martial Arts and I have my hand in a few other organizations. What about you? What do you do for fun?”
“For fun? Hang out with friends. Read. I have a book club meeting tonight.”
He raises an eyebrow at me. “That’s fun?”
“See. I’m totally boring and ordinary. Not your type at all. Aren’t you relieved?”
Stuffing his sandwich wrapper in the bag, he replies, “You’re not ordinary, love. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have fun on our date.”
“You never give up, do you? Luckily, I think I’ve found you a date.” I point to the tabletop where someone has scratched the words ‘Tanya gives good head’ deep into the wood. “She apparently performs oral well. I could write down the number for you.”
Shaking his head, his amused eyes meet mine. “I won fair and square. You owe me. Are you reneging on our bet? You seemed more honorable. I’m truly disappointed, Evie.”
Oh shit. We’re eating lunch together. The bastard is smooth. “This isn’t a lunch date!”
“A picnic lunch beside a babbling brook? This is theultimate lunch date, baby.”
Ugh. This man is so frustrating! I ball up my trash, avoiding his gaze. “You tricked me.”
“I don’t remember getting any guidelines or rules. I got a lunch date with you. I win. We’re going to the carnival together.” A wide smile spreads across his face. Smug bastard.
“We’re not.”
“And then I’m taking you out to dinner.”
“You don’t understand the word ‘No’ do you?”
“Nothing wrong with my comprehension, love. Those gorgeous lips keep saying no, but those soft brown eyes are begging me not to give up.”
“I’m not going to fuck you.” That should send him running.
“I imagine the restaurant I have in mind would frown on that.”
“I’m serious. I’m sure this approach normally works for you. That you can flash those baby blues, flex your muscles, and order girls into your bed. I’m telling you now, you have the wrong person. Stop wasting your time.”
His rough hands catch mine, and he looks into my eyes. “Time is all we have, and there’s never enough. Not a second spent with you would be a waste of time, Everly.”
God, what his voice does to my name. “You only want me because I’m saying no.”
“You’re only saying no because you want me.”
“You’re deluded.”
“You’re beautiful. Now grab your trash. I can’t date a litterbug.”
Sighing, I shove my wrappers in the bag. “Just the carnival. That’s all I agreed to. And save your charming little comments for someone more gullible.”
“Ah, Evie.” He slips an arm around my shoulder as we walk back to the van. “My baby blues, muscles, and charm. So many compliments from someone who isn’t interested.”
“You have a pretty broad definition of the word compliment.”
“With you, I’ll take what I can get.”
* * **
