"Thanks." She takes it from Teddy. "Need to throw it out. They already left town."
"Oh, man." Teddy's lips turn into a frown. Does she want to go to the carnival? I'll find us one if that makes her smile again. The frown irritates me, and the clawing need to fix it is all that matters.
“I’m sure there’s another on our route that we can catch,” I reassure her.
“You think so?” That contagious smile of hers lights up her face. I can’t help but give her one of my own. Seeing her happy soothes something deep inside of me.
“I guarantee it.” I don’t care if I have to drive to the ends of the earth, if my Zolotse wants to experience a carnival, then I’m going to make it happen.
“Flip the paper over. I think it has locations and dates on it.” Teddy flips the paper around.
“There is one going now. Is this close?” She hands me the paper, and I see the town name. It’s about six hours from here.
“It's on the way,” I tell her, making her face glow with happiness, and it’s all aimed at me. It’s not exactly in the direction we are going, but she doesn’t need to concern herself with that.
“Can we?”
“We can do anything you like, Zolotse.”
“You’re the best!” She bolts out of her seat and around the table to wrap her arms around me and kiss my cheek. I turn my head, claiming her mouth in a kiss. She tastes of strawberries.
I don’t know how I got this sweetness, but I know I can never live without it. That I’ll do anything and everything I need to do to keep it.
I pull her into me, not wanting this moment to end. For a man that never embraced physical touch, I’m finding with Teddy, I can’t get enough of it. I crave it.
“We should head out,” I reluctantly suggest, hating that I have to let go of her.
“You’re right, and we’ll have our dessert at the carnival.” The way she lights up is addicting. It’s contagious too because I find myself returning her smiles or even allowing a chuckle slipping free.
“I love your ideas, Teddy Bear.” She hops up from her seat, and I toss money down on the table. I follow behind her. When I reach the fucker at the counter whose head turns, I know he’s about to check out her ass, and I nail him in his right kidney.
He lets out a loud grunt and falls out of his chair. "Oh gosh," Teddy says, spinning around, her eyes wide.
"You fucking hit me," he says, barely getting the words out. Kidney shots roll through the whole body if done correctly. I have no doubt his pain will linger.
"I tripped," I replied, keeping my cool. This guy has no clue who he’s dealing with.
"You did not, you fucking prick."
"Hey! It was an accident!" Teddy is quick to come to my defense. "My Killian is a sweetheart. Wouldn't hurt a fly, but I'm not going to let you call him names, you jerk face." The man is still on the floor, and Teddy is adorably glaring down at him.
I nail him again, but this time with a look, letting him know he's gotten off easy. I also think he gets a better view of how big I am.
"Right." He manages to sit up. "Sorry."
"We accept your apology." She nods firmly, holding out her hand for me to take, which I happily do. I let her lead me out of the diner, not missing the amused server. "I bet he tripped you. Did you see if he stuck his foot out?"
“Might have, but I was paying more attention to your ass than anything else.” I give her a coy smirk and watch as her cheeks go rosy for me.
"Really?"
"It's a nice ass." I shrug and tug her hand to lead her to the other side of the SUV to open the door for her.
"You're such a gentleman."
"Only for you." If she only knew how true that is. Teddy hops in. I lean over and press my mouth to hers. It's too tempting not to. I'll need it to hold me over for the drive.
"Those kisses are only for me too." Her tongue swipes across her bottom lip. "Right?"
