Heat flooded Zack’s face. Last night came rushing back in vivid detail—teeth on his shoulder, the claiming bite, the way Colton had growled “mine” like it was a fact of nature. His hand drifted unconsciously to his shirt collar, fingers brushing the tender skin.
Colton’s mouth curved into a slow, knowing smile.
Oh, he knew exactly what Zack was thinking about.
Crossing the diner with that easy, predatory grace, Colton headed straight for Zack’s section and slid into a booth near the window. Rain streaked down the glass behind him, turning his silhouette into something out of a romance novel.
Zack’s feet carried him over before his brain caught up. “Hey.”
“Hey, gorgeous.” Colton’s voice was warm, rough around the edges. “Busy morning?”
“You could say that.” Pulling out his notepad felt ridiculous when all he wanted to do was climb into the guy’s lap. “What can I get you?”
“A bed, my mate, and privacy. But I’ll settle for the first two.”
Zack blinked, lips slightly parting at the visual that popped into his head. “Are you trying to make me work with a boner?”
A purr rumbled in Colton’s chest, low enough for only Zack to hear. His gaze lowered to Zack’s groin, then slid up his body in the filthiest way possible. He could practically see the scene playing out in Colton’s head.
“Drag me onto the tabletop and I’ll kick your ass,” Zack warned, reminding himself why that was a bad idea and not exactly what he wanted.
“Spoilsport,” Colton grumbled. “Since I can’t devour you, I’ll have coffee and whatever you recommend.”
“Pancakes are good. So’s the omelet.”
“Dealer’s choice.” Colton leaned back, arms spreading across the top of the booth, completely at ease, reminding Zack of the morning they’d met. “How’re you holding up?”
Face burning hotter, Zack glanced around to make sure nobody was listening. “Fine. A little sore.”
“Only a little?”
“Sorry you didn’t screw me into a coma?”
A low rumble of laughter rolled out of Colton, and Zack nearly dropped his order pad. This was dangerous. Being this close to him in public, trying to act professional when every nerve ending remembered what those hands felt like, what that mouth could do—
“Stop melting my brain, kittycat.” Zack retreated before he did something that would get him fired and possibly arrested.
Jace intercepted him at the counter with a knowing smirk. “Try not to lose your pen this time.”
Zack’s humiliation knew no bounds in this place. “He’s…a friend.”
“Uh-huh. Might want to say it with a little conviction next time. Besides, friends don’t look at each other like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like they’re ready to test the structural integrity of that booth.” Jace grinned. “He’s looking at you right now like you’re the waffles to his syrup. Cream to his coffee. Yolks to his eggs. If that’s friendship, I’ve been tragically shortchanged my entire social life.”
Jace strode off. Shaking his head, Zack put in Colton’s order. Unable to resist, he peeked over his shoulder, pulse skyrocketing. Jace was right. Colton looked like he might volt across the diner and—
“You fall asleep standing up?” Axel’s booming voice shattered Zack’s fantasy.
“I’m willing everyone’s order to materialize in front of them.”
“Five wrong orders at five different tables in under a second. Congratulations on your new personal best,” Axel grumbled.
“I’m fast-tracking my way to employee of the month.” Zack lifted a fresh carafe from the warming plate.
“You’re not even on the right racetrack.” Axel grabbed Colton’s ticket, muttering about hiring actual waitstaff instead of daydreaming mannequins. Zack tuned him out the moment he caught Colton’s gaze again, that predatory hunger still blazing in those impossibly magnetic eyes.
