“Did you eat?”
“Yeah. Just finished. I see you’re still at it.” He scooted his chair closer to hers, and the heat from his body skimmed over her.
“Uh… this is my friend Ava.” She gestured to her. “And this is Muerto.” Raven took a large gulp of her drink. “Have you been here before?” She set her glass down.
“A couple times. The food’s great. What about you?”
“My first time. It’s good.” Raven wanted to smack Ava because all she was doing was staring at him, her face tight, her eyes laced with fear.
He must have noticed because he turned his attention to her, jutted out his chin, and said, “Am I scaring you or something?” She shook her head vigorously. “Seems like I am.”
“It’s ’cause of your club. What’s the name again?”
“Night Rebels. No reason to be afraid. You haven’t disrespected or pissed me off.” He raised his eyebrows, and Ava hung her head down and began playing with the garnishes on her plate. He snorted, then turned to Raven. “Are you afraid of me too?”
“No, and I know I’ve pissed you off.”
“Yeah, you have.” He laughed.
She loved the way the descending sun’s rays bathed his hair in pinkish hues. The tattoos on his powerful arms seemed to glow under the dissipating sunlight. For an instance, she wished she could curl her fingers around his bicep and trace each tattoo with the tip of her nail. Just thinking of touching him and feeling his arms wrapped around her made her cross her legs as a sweet clench ran through her sex.
“Won’t your friends miss you?” She cocked her head to the side.
“If you’re tryin’ to get rid of me, sweetheart, it’s not gonna work. I can see those lugs anytime.”
Ava cleared her throat. “I should be going. I have to relieve my sister.” She motioned for the waitress.
“I thought you said you had to go at nine thirty?” Raven finished the last bite of her dinner.
“I meant eight thirty. My sister gets testy if I’m late. I don’t want to spoil your evening, so you stay.” She glanced at the bill and took out forty dollars. “That should be enough for my share plus tip.”
“I’ll leave too.”
“No way. I’ll call you tomorrow to discuss… your new necklaces. Have a good time.” Ava gulped down the rest of her drink, pushed her chair back, and took off.
“Ava, wait. I’m coming too.” She started to get up, but his hand on her wrist pulled her back down. “I should go.”
“Why? You’re not relieving her sister, she is. Anyway, what the fuck’s her problem?” Muerto gestured for another beer.
Raven shrugged. “I think you scared her.”
“That’s bullshit. I didn’t do anything.”
“I think it’s because you belong to that club of yours. And you are pretty intimidating, what with your size and the pissed-off look you usually have on your face. I hope this didn’t spoil her evening.”
He leaned into her so his arm was pressed into hers. “I’ll keep you company. I’m good with that.”
“I bet you are.”That’s what I’m afraid of. I better stop drinking.
“Did you want anything more to eat?” the waitress asked after she placed a draft beer in front of Muerto.
He looped his arm around Raven’s shoulder and leaned in close to her ear. “You want asopapilla? I’m gonna get one.” She nodded. “Twosopapillas.”
“Dusted with cinnamon sugar?” The waitress picked up the empty plates and glasses.
“Why the fuck not?” He laughed when the woman widened her eyes before scurrying away.
Raven moved her chair closer to the window to create a space between them. She brushed his hand away from her shoulder.
