Page 73 of Twisted Beauty

“I just think it’s a shame to let all your talent go to waste, that’s all,” she said.

“Ditto.”

She stared at him for a long moment without speaking, until he finally gave in and told her all about his plans for the restaurant. About the menu he already had written in his head, about the traveling he’d planned to discover new recipes and new ingredients he could bring back, about the dedication plaque he wanted to hang for Lita. He even admitted he was struggling to come up with a catchy name.

What he didn’t tell her was that he already had the funding for it. For a down payment on the building Liv was talking about, if he wanted to buy instead of rent. He’d spoken with the owner on a whim, and the man was willing to sell. It was an option, thanks to a handful of smart investments he’d made over the years.

But his situation was too tenuous. He didn’t know if he was in Mexico permanently, or if he’d end up back in the US after he got Tito’s shop squared away. He hated all the uncertainty in his life. Especially in his own head.

But he kept that part to himself. “So where would you travel if you were going specifically to take photos?”

“Where wouldn’t I?” she said. “Of course, I’d start with Mexico. Those pictures in Tito’s storage closet made me want to travel all over the country. Maybe Mexico City, the ruins of the Yucatán, the white sand and turquoise water in Tulum. There’s so much to see here, and so many different cultures I’d like to experience. You think it’s safe for a woman to travel through Mexico alone?”

Oh, hell no. She wasn’t traveling anywhere by herself if he had any say in it.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” he finally said. “Maybe take a friend.”

“Like Nate?”

“What the f—” He watched her fold her arms and lean back into her chair with a sly little smile plastered on her face. She was baiting him, trying to make him jealous. “Adorable. I should turn you over my knee for that and spank your ass.”

The look of heat that flashed through her eyes surprised him. She didn’t strike him as the adventurous type. Then again, they’d only been together that one night. That one incredible, sleepless night and well into the next afternoon. Fuck, he had to stop thinking about her naked body.

“Is there a problem with the steaks?” a deep voice said, catching his attention. Matt turned to see his friend standing right beside him. How long had he been standing there?

“Carlos, hey man.” Matt shook his hand. He’d come in to the Iguana restaurant regularly since Carlos moved all the way from Phoenix for the head chef job. “I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Olivia Jaye.” He winced when she kicked him under the table for using her full name. But she deserved it after that little stunt.

“Please call me Liv,” she said and held out her hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, Liv. I’m Carlos, the guy who cooked that lovely steak of yours that’s languishing on the plate.”

Matt glanced down at the table, and couldn’t believe the steaks were already there. He looked at Liv and she shrugged. Apparently, neither of them had noticed a waiter drop them off. He shook his head and reached out to touch the top of the steak. Thank god it was still warm. These were too good, and frankly too damned expensive, to waste. And he’d never live it down if he told Carlos he’d been too wrapped up in a woman to notice the arrival of his food.

“Good thing I came out to greet you,” Carlos said, “or they’d get cold and we’d be feeding them to the stray dogs in the back alley.”

“Strays? In the alley?” Liv said, sitting up in her chair. “Can you show me?”

Matt put a hand over hers on the table. “There aren’t any strays out there now. Mexipup has this area under control.”

“Ah, another animal lover,” Carlos said. “Is that why you haven’t touched your food?”

“Now you’re making me feel guilty for eating meat,” Liv said, eyeing her dinner.

Carlos frowned, but recovered quickly. “Well, I hope you both enjoy your meal. I’ll send out a special dessert for you after. On the house. And I’m telling Menendez not to let you leave until you taste it. Buen provecho.” He turned to leave but then put a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Glad to see you getting out again, my friend,” he said and walked away.

Matt ignored that last comment. He wasn’t getting out again. He was staying in. Mostly. And he couldn’t wait to get back to it.

He watched Liv slice into her steak and put a forkful in her mouth. He’d ordered filet mignon with mushroom mascarpone sauce, and judging by the look on her face, it was good. Better than good. She closed her eyes and hummed, and he almost jumped across the table to get another taste of her lips.

The food was delicious, as always, and they ate in relative silence. He had to force-feed himself though, so he didn’t just sit and stare. He was mesmerized by the absolute joy on her face, the way her throat worked when she swallowed, and the way her tongue jutted out of her mouth to lick her bottom lip. By the time her plate was empty, his pants were so tight he was dangerously close to dragging her back to the restroom, powering her back against a wall and burying himself inside her.

The waiter stopped by to refill their wine, and Liv raised her glass in another toast. “To the best meal ever.”

“I can do better.” Matt clinked his glass against hers.

“I’m not sure that’s possible.” She scraped her fork along the juice left on her plate and popped it in her mouth. He watched her cheeks sink in as she sucked it dry. Holy hell.

“We’ll see about that.” He wasn’t about to argue with her now. All he wanted to do was get her home. “You ready to go?”