Page 3 of Lack of In-between
She forced herself to remember what she’d seen earlier tonight, a truth about Wolf she hadn’t wanted to believe.
Safely seated on the picnic table bench with Jenn, Rose had looked around the crowd of partygoers, trying to find the one face that had driven her to finally accept the oft-extended invitation to a BFMC blowout.
She’d wanted a chance to get to know Wolf in longer than three-minute conversations held over the passing of plates and glasses. Had hoped to find out more about the man and see if the reality matched her mental image. Instead, she’d seen a gorgeous blonde walk up to him and be met with wide-open arms, the kind of greeting reserved for someone loved. Rose had forced herself to watch a moment longer and saw his head dip towards the woman. Not needing to see more, she’d dragged her gaze away at that movement, made her excuses to Jenn, and fled. On her way home, the waitress on shift at the diner had messaged her with an urgent request, and so here she was. And now, here Wolf was, too.
Handsome, kind, generous—and so very taken.
“Order in,” Rose called out to the cook, and stuffed the ticket under the clip. She scanned the kitchen but could see no good reason to delay going back out into the dining room—and Wolf’s table.
Drinks in hand, she made her way to the table where she’d just taken the order, depositing them with a smile. On her way to Wolf’s table—she sighed when she saw the man had taken a seat on the far end of the diner—she detoured behind the counter and grabbed a glass of water and pot of coffee. He already had the ceramic mug upturned and ready when she got to the table, so she poured his coffee first.
“You can’t be hungry after that pig roast,” she teased, and immediately could have bitten off her tongue.Way to broadcast you were there, idiot. Maybe she could distract him from her slip. “Did you want some pie or anything?”
“Why’d you leave?” Wolf sat back on the bench and slung an arm across the back, his fingers dangling off the edge and dangerously close to her hip. Rose took a step away and froze when Wolf’s eyes narrowed at her movement. “You were there, and then gone.”
She swung her empty hand out, indicating the diner, hoping he wouldn’t ask if she’d already been scheduled. “As you can see, I’m working.”
His chin tipped up, and he stared at her with an intensity that mesmerized her. The rumble of his words flowed over her, leaving gooseflesh in their wake. “There, and gone, and not a word to your friends.”
“I told Jenn.” She shook her head, trying and failing to find a smile. “She’s the only one I knew there anyway.”
“Lies. You know me.” His fingers twitched, clutching at the air almost as if he wished she were within reach. “I looked for you.”
Rose finally was able to summon a smile as she shrugged. “Didn’t realize I needed to telegraph my movements to the masses.” Going for a laugh, she pulled her mouth to the side in a pouty grimace. “I’ll do better, boss man. Promise.”
She sighed with relief as he seemed to accept the words at face value, grinning up at her as he teased, “See you do.”
“So. Pie?” She nodded at the glass case on the counter behind her. “Chocolate pecan is a favorite of mine, but the lemon meringue is good, too.” She patted her stomach in a self-deprecating move she regretted immediately, not wanting to seem to flirt. “I can attest they’re both delicious.”
Wolf moved, leaning towards her, and Rose held her breath. His hand landed on her waist, then swept down her hip, the tips of his fingers sliding along the outside curve of her ass. It was an intimate touch, something she didn’t expect, and heat flared between her legs, desire curling in the pit of her stomach. “If the pie is part of what helps keep you in these gorgeous curves, I’ll take one of each and you can help me eat them.” His gaze held her pinned, stuck in place as if she were physically tethered to him.
The ding of the cook’s bell, along with his bellowed, “Order up,” broke the tableau, and Rose whirled away, fleeing Wolf’s table wordlessly. It took two trips to deliver the couple’s order, then a third to refill their drinks.
She took the coffee carafe with her when she returned to Wolf’s table, topping off his cup. “Did you decide on the pie, Wolf?”
“No pie, not this time. Sit a spell with me, Rose.” She tipped her head to the side, lifting one eyebrow. He proved he could read her expression when he said, “Not that puzzling, honey. You’re not busy, and I like to chat with ya.” He shrugged. “Sit a spell.”
“I shouldn’t.”I can do this. I can be friendly without flirting. “But a couple of minutes wouldn’t hurt anything.” She slid into the seat across from him. “Did you stay at the party long? It looked like it was going to be a fun time.”
“Not too long. Blade and Jenn took off after you did, then Monk had to leave.” He lifted his mug and sipped, blowing across the hot surface. The movement of his lips was hypnotizing. They were full and looked the mix of perfectly soft and masculine firmness. He smiled, then licked along his bottom lip, and she clenched her internal muscles.Oh my Jesus. “Got tired of standin’ around by myself, so I went for a ride.”
She blinked, then lifted her eyes to meet his.Why would he be standing by himself?Rose nearly blurted her question, clamping her lips together at the last moment, staving off embarrassment by a nanosecond. Avoiding the alone part of his statement, she latched on to the other. “Where’d you ride to?”
“Not every ride has a destination.” He glanced out the window, and she followed his gaze to his bike. It was big and black, intimidating even from this distance, the tiny seat for passengers looking like a joke. “Some of the best days are spent on two wheels, going wherever the wind takes me.”
“And you don’t worry about gas or bathrooms?” Laughter bubbled out of her. “I’m such a control freak. I’d be a nervous wreck at the end of that kind of day.” She caught a glimpse of the dining couple’s reflection and noticed they were nearly done with their meals. “I should get back to work.” Standing with a muffled groan, she arched her back to ease the aching down low, by her hips. “Want another top-off?” She offered the carafe, following through when he nodded. “Thanks for the chat, Wolf.”
“Paul.” He reached out, the backs of his knuckles grazing across the back of her hand. “I’d like it if you called me Paul, Rose.”
Grinning broadly, she nodded. “Okay, Paul Rose it is.”
His laughter followed her as she walked away.
Three
Wolf
He studied Rose as she interacted with the other customers, taking their empty plates, balancing the pile deftly as she dug in her apron pocket for their check. She’d handled him just as easily, he realized. Even through the short conversation, she’d avoided any personal revelations, and he really knew no more about her now than before.
