Page 22 of Sundowners
Creed laughed. “I think it’s sweet that you’re worried about my safety. Trust me,” he said, turning around. “I’ll be just fine.”
Reynaldo cleared his throat. I turned to look at him and he raised his eyebrows. “It’s time for my lunch. You know, if you need a minute.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Why would I need a minute?”
“Really? Mr. Bedroom Eyes over there? You should go talk to him. Lola’s not around to make trouble. I’ll just go grab a slice over at Kianti’s. I’ll meet you there. Or not. In case you want to call it a night.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I groaned. “Everyone’s a matchmaker.”
“You telling me you’re not into him? No problem. Then you won’t mind if I get his number.”
“Wait. I thought you were into Lexi?”
Reynaldo looked around me to where Creed was walking, a knowing grin on his face and rocking on his feet. “I mean, they’re both pretty.”
“Fine.” I walked toward Creed, feeling like an idiot. “Hey,” I called out to him. I turned back to my uncle. “I’ll text you.”
“You do that, Junior.”
I flipped him off.
Creed stopped walking and turned to face me with that smug smile of his.“Good evening, Professor. Are we going to try this again?”
I huffed out a breath. “Where are you headed? You live around here?”
“Why? Are you going to walk me home?”
This man liked to play. “I could. Or we could go get that beer you mentioned.”
“That what you want? What about your uncle?”
I turned to look back at Rey’s patrol car. He was nowhere to be seen. There were only a few stragglers in the parking lot, the majority of folks finishing up their downtown fun for the night.
“It’s his lunch. I usually only ride with him for half a shift anyway.”
Creed slid his hands into his back pockets. “I could go for a drink.”
I sucked in a breath and with it a whiff of…him. Everything in me wanted to grab a handful of his tousled curls, the natural red highlights gleaming in the streetlight, and hold his head still while I kissed that smart mouth of his, which was always right there with a remark that walked the fine line of flirting.
“Or I could take you home,” I heard myself saying.
Creed’s smile faded a bit and his eyes penetrated me, making my body feel all loose and breathy.
“Be careful, Roman.”
“Careful?”
“Mmm. Be careful what you offer. Thirsty guy like me might take you up on it.”
Is that what I want?The guy drove me nuts, I couldn’t get him out of my mind when I was away from him, but did I want to take him home?
Casual sex wasn’t really my bag. I didn’t want that life.
I stepped back, and he sighed.
“Mighttake me up on it? I think you would.”
“And you’re feeling ambiguous about that.”
