Page 15 of Taking Care of the Target

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Vince watched Cassie walk toward the back in that tiny skirt that showed off sexy legs he’d only dreamed about seeing so much of before. She had new glasses with slightly chunkier frames, and she still pushed them up in the way that drove him crazy.

That was the weird thing, though. She seemed a bit nervous, but not terrified. Not even alittlefreaked out. He’d watched the place, thinking he’d approach her after her shift, but when the hostess stepped away, he thought,screw it, and went inside. He’d expected to have to drag her out of the restaurant.

Instead, she acted like she didn’t even know him.Just like Sal said she did with him.For all he knew, she was calling the cops or the FBI or whoever she was relying on for protection right now.

Only he didn’t think that was the case anymore. For two days he’d watched her come and go. Another car had followed her—he was almost sure, because he’d seen it twice, both times trailing her. But she never acknowledged the guy or vehicle in any way, and it hadn’t been around tonight, which was why Vince had been stupid enough to barge in the restaurant…

And make jokes with her about seafood and asparagus. Warmth spread through his chest. He’d been so focused on everything else that he’d forgotten how easily she could make him forget who he was, if only for a little bit.

Here she came, soda cup in hand, and his gaze automatically went back to those legs.Damn.He should’ve enforced a short-skirt dress code when she’d worked at Rossi’s.

The thought of the restaurant and what happened the last time she was there sobered him right up. Not enough to miss the familiar coconut scent when she set the soda in front of him, but enough to focus on the task at hand.

She extended a straw, and he took it from her, purposely brushing her fingers. “Thanks,” he said.

A sexy blush rose up her neck and settled in her cheeks—the woman was seriously killing him. “Did you decide what you wanted?”

“The steak, of course. I hear it’s the best.”

Satisfaction filled the curve of her smile, and his heart thudded in his chest. “Filet Mignon or New York Strip?”

“Which is bigger?”

“Oh, you’re one of those bigger is better guys?”

“The question is, are you one of those girls?”

Her blush deepened, and her gaze dropped to her pad. Then she reached up and slid those damn glasses up her nose, and a spike of desire shot through him. This level of flirting was what he’d always wanted with her but constantly held back. He was getting himself into a mess now, no question about it.

“So, the New York Strip steak, then. How would you like that cooked?” Cassie cocked an eyebrow, almost as if she were challenging him to find a way to turn that into an innuendo.

With his brain suddenly not working, he went with boring answers for her next few questions.

“I’ll put that in, and it’ll be out soon,” she said.

“You guys close in about twenty, right?” He hadn’t planned on dinner, but he could always eat, and it gave him more time to observe Cassie. But it also made him one of those obnoxious customers who showed up right before closing and obliterated any chance of getting off work at a decent hour.

“We do, but if you need a little longer, I’d be happy to accommodate you. We’re all about the service here.” She almost seemed as surprised as he was that she’d said it, but she tried to cover it up with an innocent smile that gave him the opposite of innocent thoughts.

He debated for a second whether to ask, but just went for it. “What was your name?” He watched her expression carefully, trying to see if she was pulling some big act on him.

“I’m Cassie. Shoot, did I forget to say that in the beginning?” She tapped her pen to the side of her forehead, adorably flustered. “Lately, this is having some issues. But I swear I’m much better at remembering food orders.”

Vince wanted to reach out, take her hand, and give it a reassuring squeeze. He settled for a smile. “No worries. I’m Vince.”

Again, he watched, waiting for her to call bullshit and sayof courseshe knew who he was, and then throw something at him and try to flee, or…just have some kind of reaction that didn’t make him feel like he’d imagined all of their previous interactions. Then again, he was glad she didn’t seem to remember the horrible moment in the alley that’d landed them both in a huge fucked-up mess.

“Nice to meet you,” she said. Then she jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “I better get this order in and go help close out.”

“But you’ll be back?”

She met his gaze, her face betraying nothing but genuine happiness. “Yeah. I’ll be back.”

Chapter Ten

Cassie grabbed the salad for her drool-worthy customer.Vince,she reminded herself with a smile.Man, even his name is sexy.

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