Page 59 of Savage Lust

She was a full step away before Riley cleared her throat. “A soda, thanks.”

I continued with the toothpick, leaning forward on my elbows on the table. I watched her track the slow push and pull of my tongue, keeping the toothpick in constant motion.

There were things I hadn’t shown Riley, sexual experiences she’d yet to discover. But instinctively, her body knew. Her nostrils flared and color spread from her cheeks to her throat, and down to the dip of her cleavage. It was sexy, but whether she was mad or turned on, I couldn’t tell. Hell, it might have been both.

Not that it mattered to me. I’d take her both ways.

She snapped her gaze away as the same blush darkened her cheeks. I couldn’t help but chuckle and relax in the broken vinyl booth.

The eager waitress was back before Riley could fully compose herself. She placed Riley’s drink before mine, and I made sure to brush my knuckles across her fingers as she handed me the beer glass.

After that she was purring baby this and sugar that, her panties probably already wet. As she took my order, she even rubbed the leather on my shoulder, dragging her fingers down and across my vice president patch.

Riley’s seething glare could have peeled the fake lashes right off her eyes. With another flick of the toothpick, I nodded toward the angry, sexy as fuck woman across from me. In truth, the waitress didn’t have a shot in hell.

Never would, because I’d had Riley.

“And for you?”

“A burger with cheese.” Riley ground each syllable out with such hateful deliberation, I laughed.

When the waitress disappeared, I raised an eyebrow, still grinning. “Jealousy suits you.”

“You’re an asshole for leading her on like that.” She huffed. Maybe not as jealous as I thought.

“Flirting doesn’t make me a jerk unless the other person isn’t feeling it. She isone hundred percentreciprocating.”

“But you have no intention of sleeping with her, of seeing it through. You’re just proving a point to me and your ego. So, who is the jealous one?” The angry mask faltered, just enough I could see the pain hiding there. “This is degrading.”

I’d hurt her, not my intention. I’d only wanted to piss her off. “I’m not trying to fuck her, darlin.”

“Then ”—She made a small circle with her straw before dropping it in the soda. —“Why are you acting like this?”

“You ask too many damn questions.” The rumble of straight piped exhaust and the bang of old, metal truck doors seeped through the walls as the jukebox switched songs.

We had a good twenty or more minutes before someone arrived to pick up Riley. Staying in a public place and flirting with the waitress kept us visible and Riley, for the most part, safe. Or so I hoped.

twenty-three

Cam

When the waitress dropped off the food, I put some juice behind my charm to prove a point. The waitress more than wanted it. And if Riley got pissed, decided being my ole lady was too much—that might be a good thing.

But fuck if hurting her didn’t tear me apart.

Every word I said was hollow, but I made sure the waitress was eating it up, even brushed my knuckles across her breasts when I straightened her name tag. She didn’t jump back or smack my hand away, instead leaned so close I could smell the tictac she’d popped before walking over.

“Now you’re just being mean,” Riley blurted when the waitress sauntered away, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

I needed to show her who I was, how life would be for her with me. Not because she’d done anything wrong, but because we were being followed, because my life was already putting her in danger.

Santos Garza had given her his number. I’d brought her there, I’d put her in his sites. Yeah, I hadn’t expected the man himself, but I should have. She was right, part of the problem was my ego. As that had been what made me think I could keep her safe.

Archer had kept her safe, by keeping her away from here. Maybe I needed to do the same.

I’d do anything to keep her safe. She’d hate me for it, but wasn’t this how it was always supposed to happen?

“Women like that, darlin, they ain’t looking for a Prince Charming. Fifteen minutes with me would be the best day of her life. Women are easy.”

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