Page 31 of Forbidden
***Raven***
Hot, bothered, horny beyond reason – just a few words to describe how I’m feeling right now. How I’ve felt since I saw him sitting at that table. When his hand touched mine, I thought back to last night, only it was his hand between my legs and not mine. And the way he smells…Jesus. I need to get a grip. I grab a towel and start wiping down the counter just to keep myself occupied. The couple at Sheila’s table leaves, so now he’s the only one here. And he seems to be taking his own, sweet time. Not that I’m watching him. Okay, I’ve glanced over there a few times. Each time our eyes have met, and each time he gave me a dazzling, crooked smile. That smile makes me want to leap over all these tables and land right on his lap.
Suddenly, a hand slides around my waist and I turn to see Chris smiling down at me. Fuck. I’ve been so consumed by my thoughts I neither heard him enter nor saw him approach.
“Hey, beautiful.”
I return his smile, lean in, and give him a quick kiss.
“Hey, handsome.”
His face lights up even more, the way it does anytime I give him a compliment. It’s like it means more to him coming from me. This is what I need. This is what I should be focusing on. I have a great guy with a bright future who is truly into me and who doesn’t just want to get in my pants.
“Ready?”
“I just have one last customer¸ and then I’m all yours.”
He looks around the diner and his smile disappears. He narrows his eyes and I see the muscles in his jaw working. Shit. I turn toward Gage and he has a mirrored expression. Idonotneed this right now.
“Chris.”
He turns to me but keeps throwing dirty glances in Gage’s direction. I cradle his face in my hands. “Don’t. Just sit here and wait for me. Once he’s done, we can leave.”
He drops down into the chair, still fuming.
“You want some dessert? Millie made apple pie.”
“I don’t want any damn pie. Just hurry up.”
Usually, I would get into a guy’s face for talking to me like that, but I understand how he must feel so I let it slide. I gather my wits and leave him to check on the other angry bird.
“Everything okay? Can I get you anything?”
“No, everything isnotokay. What the fuck is he doing here?”
“He meets me here every day and we go home together.”
“Get rid of him. I’m taking you home.”
“No, you’re not. If you don’t understand the concept of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, I suggest you do some research.”
He leans forward, lowering his voice to a whisper.
“Where was your boyfriend last night when you were calling out my name?”
He’s right. I’m sending mixed signals and I need to stop.
“It was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
He slides out of the booth and reaches into his pocket. Pulling out a few bills, he drops them on the table, all the time staring into my eyes.
“Bullshit. Get rid of him, Raven.”
He turns and heads for the door, calling over his shoulder, “See you around, baby doll.”
I can feel Chris’ eyes boring a hole in the back of my head.Asshole. He just had to have the last word.I try to be as nonchalant as possible as I clear the table. I also avoid looking at Chris as I pass by. While taking care of the bill, I realize he left entirely too much money. Then again, he didn’t even count it. A twelve dollars and fifty cents bill and he leaves a hundred and fifty dollars.
“You all set to go, sweetheart?” Millie asks.
