Page 64 of A Song for You

She beams at him. “Promise I’ll be at next weekend’s game.”

“Don’t you have to work?” Carter asks, quirking his brow.

Her eyes bounce toward me and then she scans her menu before replying. “I, uh, I actually quit,” she says.

Carter straightens. “You need money?”

She scoffs and finally looks his way. “No.”

Her brother props his elbows on the table and leans forward. “Why did you quit?”

I bring my coffee to my lips again, enjoying the show.

“My boss was an ass—wouldn’t take no for an answer,” she replies without breaking a sweat.

I cough into my cup and spit out my coffee.

“Jesus—” Carter says, focusing on me for half a second before looking at her again. “What’s the cocksucker’s name? Jay and I will pay him a visit.”

I clear my throat, trying to catch my breath. So much for her being uncomfortable. Fucking minx is cool as a cucumber over there.

“Oh stop. All I mean is that he wouldn’t take no for an answer when I said I couldn’t work Sundays and during the week. I have more responsibilities with the magazine now, so I’m up here more often.” She hands me a napkin and gives me a demure smile. “You okay?”

I wipe my mouth with the proffered cloth and then stretch my arm out along the top of the seat so my hand rests just above her shoulder and my body is angled toward hers when I reply. “I’m fine, sweetheart. Thank you. Which magazine do you work for?”

She nibbles her lip, a tell that she’s nervous.

I bite back a smile at her reaction. Back on solid ground.

“Jolie,” she murmurs before turning back to her brothers.

“How’s that going?” Cash asks before I can respond to her. Before I can mention the shared project. Bring up the excuse we have to get to know one another. Fucking A.

Cat brightens. It’s clear she and Cash are close. “It’s going really well. I was asked to work on a ball they’re throwing at the end of the month,” she says, keeping her attention trained on Cash and ignoring my pointed stare.

Dammit.

A waitress approaches to take our order, and while the guys are focusing on the pretty brunette, my eyes skirt to my obsession beside me. With my hand on her shoulder, I inch her closer. “Kitten,” I murmur.

She twists her lips, trying hard to ignore me.

Now that she’s within reach, though, I drop my hand from behind her and place it right next to her hip, rubbing my pinky against her outer thigh.

She shoots me a look, and I respond with a smirk.

“And what would you like?” the waitress asks Cat.

She orders a coffee and fruit with egg whites.

Grimacing, I place my hand on her thigh and squeeze.

The waitress turns to me next. “And what can I get for you?”

“I’ll take eggs, bacon, and hash browns. And a waffle with powdered sugar and whipped cream on the side.”

I smile at the way Cat licks her lips at the mention of her favorite breakfast food. That is exactly what I was going for. Subtly, I slide my fingers into the space between Cat’s legs. She’s wearing a skirt similar to the one from the day before, and her soft skin beneath my fingers makes me hard as a rock.

“And a mimosa. Anyone else want to have a drink with me? Little Sunday funday?” I say with a teasing glint cast in Cat’s direction.