Page 72 of Lines

I grin and playfully wink at her, turning off the engine. “Those suckers from St. Johan have nothing on us, little one.”

Getting out of the car I hurry to the passenger side to open the door for Amelia and give her my hand to help her get out. She smiles at me, softly murmuring thank you. Once she’s out, she tries to let go of my hand, but I don’t let her.

With her small hand firmly in mine, I lead her into the pizza place.

“Hope this is okay.” I look down at her. I really have no idea where to take her. What does she like to eat? Is she allergic to something? At the moment, Charlie’s seemed like the safest option.

“I love pizza,” she assures me with a smile.

The place is filled with people, families with kids and groups of teenagers. I even see some guys from the team that probably came here for dinner before going to Andrew’s just like us. They see us, their eyes popping out of their heads when they see who I’m with, but I don’t stop to say hi, just wave at them in passing.

We manage to find one small table in the back. Amelia takes one side of the booth and I, using the excuse of noise, slide behind her.

Looking over the menu I whisper in her ear, “You know what you’re getting?”

Startled, she lifts her eyes and finds me so close to her, our noses are almost touching. I can smell her flowery perfume all around her. Inhaling deeply, I breathe in as much as I can, wondering if it would be too creepy if I buried my nose in the crook of her neck.

“Extra cheese and mushrooms.”

I frown at her.

“What?”

“I hate mushrooms almost as much as peas.” My body shakes slightly in disgust.

“You don’t like mushrooms?” She raises her brows at me.

“Don’t forget the peas,” I tease.

Just then the waiter comes and takes our order. We order our pizzas and soda, 7up for Amelia and coke for me, and I wait for the waiter to leave before I turn back to her.

Amelia is nervously biting her lower lip, and I can barely manage not to groan out loud. I lift my hand, take her chin between my fingers, and turn her to look at me.

“If you don’t stop doing that, you’ll make me kiss you in the middle of this place.”

Her eyes widen even more looking at me. Her small, pink tongue darts out to wet her lips. I press my thumb on her lip, shaking my head at her with a big grin on my face. The finger slowly slides over her soft flesh.

“If I didn’t know better,” I lean closer to whisper in her ear, “I would think you are doing this on purpose.”

“D-doing what?” Amelia swallows hard under my watchful eyes.

“Teasing me.” I side my finger back to the other side of her lip. I can feel her warm breath caressing my skin. “Do you want me to kiss you?”

Her surprised intake of breath makes me chuckle. I move away from her to be able to see her better. Brown eyes look at me like a deer caught in the highlights, her lips are parted, and her chest is moving up and down in frantic speed.

“N-no,” she stutters and blushes fifty different shades of red. “Are you trying to embarrass me?”

My smile widens even more. “I just like to tease you. No harm in that, Lia.”

Amelia huffs, which only makes me laugh more. I slide my hand around the back of her chair, my fingers playing with her locks. “I’ll be on my best behavior. Scout’s honor.”

“Where you even a boy scout?”

“Not in this lifetime.” I grin widely.

“I didn’t think so.”

Amelia

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