Page 13 of Let it Sizzle
God, I want to kiss that lip out from between her teeth.
“You forgot one thing,” I murmur, leaning in so close that I can smell the sweetness of her shampoo.
“What’s that?” she whispers.
“You got more beautiful,” I say, my voice so rough I almost don't recognize it.
Her eyes go wide, and her cheeks flush a pretty pink that makes me want to pull her across the table and devour her right here.
She shakes her head, laughing it off like she doesn’t believe it. Like she doesn’t realize she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I tighten my grip on her hand. “I mean it, Serena. You’re... fuck. You’re breathtaking.”
Her throat works as she swallows, and I catch the way her chest rises and falls faster now, like she’s struggling to pull in enough air with me this close.
The waiter comes by, notebook in hand, and Serena gives him a polite smile. "Just the Caesar salad, please."
I blink.Salad?That’s it?
Before the guy can even scribble it down, I turn to him and tell him to give us another minute. He hurries away, and I lean in, my voice low and leaving no room for argument. "If there’s nothing on the menu that looks good, we can go somewhere else.”
She shrugs, looking a little embarrassed. “No, everything looks great. I’m trying to cut down. You know…” She gestures toher body as though there’s something wrong with it, as though it’s obvious that it needs to be fixed or changed.
Something dark and possessive curls in my gut. I don’t like the way she says it, all quiet and apologetic, like she has to earn her right to take up space.
I don’t even think before I speak. "No, sweetheart. I don’t want to hear that. I want you to have exactly what you want. You deserve it. Besides, you’re perfect the way you are.”
Her eyes widen, and that pretty flush creeps up her neck, but she doesn’t argue. She just blinks up at me like she’s not used to someone saying it out loud.
And maybe she’s not. Maybe some asshole made her think she had to shrink herself down to be wanted. And if I ever meet him, I’ll make sure he regrets it.
“Get whatever you want,” I say, softer but still firm. “I just find it hard to believe that you think the salad is the most thrilling thing on the menu.”
The waiter returns and shifts awkwardly, glancing between us. and Serena looks up at him and cracks a small smile. "I’ll have the steak, please. Medium. And a baked potato with sour cream and a salad."
Perfect. I love a woman who knows what she wants.
“I’ll have the same.”
I nod at the waiter, and he hurries off.
When I turn back to her, she’s looking at me with this stunned, shy expression, like she’s trying to figure out if I’m for real.
I reach across the table, my fingers brushing the back of her hand. "I want you full and happy, Serena. Always."
She fiddles with her fork for a second, then glances up at me from under those lashes. "So," she says, her voice teasing but soft, "what did I miss while I was gone?"
I lean back in my chair, smirking. "Besides the town and your family falling apart without you?"
She rolls her eyes, but there’s a blush creeping up her neck that tells me she doesn’t hate hearing it.
“Okay, seriously,” she presses, nudging her fork toward me. “Any big changes I missed while I was gone? Scandals? Fires? Who’s sleeping with whom?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You know I steer clear of gossip.”
“But you hear everything,” she says, raising a brow.
“Well… there’ve been a few small fires,” I say casually, leaning back. “Mostly thanks to Byron trying to show off at the station grill. Guy thinks lighter fluid is a personality trait.”
