Page 335 of The Tempted

“Who’s Pipe?” Lauren questioned.

“One of the brothers. It’s owned by the Satan’s Knights but Pipe runs the joint, it’s his gig,” I explained, rummaging through her fridge.

Oh, we’d never work. I may not have a fridge in my apartment but if I did, it would be fully stocked with all the gourmet things I’ve grown accustomed to. Like, those little packs of chocolate pudding, whipped cream, chocolate milk, of course beer and cold cuts for fancy dinners and such.

I would not have cottage cheese in my fridge. What kind of bullshit was that?

“Are you two on some sort of starvation diet?” I asked, slamming the fridge closed and tipping my head toward Mia, finally acknowledging her presence.

“Hey Mia, where’s your towel?”

“Your towel?” Lauren asked, her curious eyes snapped toward her roommate.

“Last time your friend stopped in I was just getting out of the shower,” Mia explained, looking back at me.

“Lucky towel,” I said sarcastically.

“We have cereal,” Lauren offered.

I bit the inside of my cheek, crossing my arms as I considered her offer but she was probably pushing some Kashi whole grain crap on me. I was more a Captain Crunch kind of guy.

“Get dressed,” I said, finally.

“Why?”

“I drove two hours to bring you your car, Kitten, think the least you can do is accompany me to breakfast,” I said, leaving out the fact I wouldn’t mind a quickie in the bathroom either. I turned toward Mia. “You hungry towel girl?”

She shook her head.

“You two go ahead. I have to run out for boxes,” she insisted, grabbing her own keys from the counter before smiling back at Lauren.

“You know, I don’t know if I should thank you or tell you it was a really shitty thing you did, leaving your friend in a bar by herself,” I called out to her.

“Riggs!” Lauren exclaimed, her fishbowl eyes narrowing at me, and I’m sure if I was in arms reach she would’ve smacked me.

“What? It’s true. Doesn’t make her a bad person, just makes her a selfish one,” I turned to Mia. “No hard feelings, towel girl, I think you’re great, a real catch, but that was foul,” I said, raising an eyebrow, daring her to disagree.

“Mia and I discussed it, Riggs, and it’s none of your business,” Lauren scorned.

“I disagree,” I stated, placing my hands on my hips. “It most definitely is my business, since I’m the one who picked you up and rescued you in your time of need,” I objected, before looking back toward Mia. I was laying it on thick and I don’t think either girl knew for sure if I was being serious or not.

“Don’t let it happen again,” I said, before reaching behind Lauren and squeezing her ass. “Hurry up, I’ll wait outside.”

I saw the flicker in my Kitten’s eyes and hurried out of the apartment before she morphed into a ferocious kitty.

“Do you always eat this much?” I asked, as I watched the waitress place Riggs’ breakfast in front of him. Seriously, I think he ordered the whole left side of the menu.

“He’s a growing boy,” the middle-aged waitress teased, placing the final plate, stacked high with flapjacks, in front of Riggs.

He grinned up at her.

“Thanks doll,” he said, with a wink before turning his gaze back to me. “She gets me,” he added.

I reached for the pepper, shaking some onto my eggs as I peered at him.

“Your cholesterol must be through the roof,” I commented, tipping my chin toward the five eggs he had in front of him.

“Aww, you’re worried about me,” he said, placing a hand over his heart. “I’m touched, babe.”

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