Page 61 of Cowboy Stole My Heart
Sam winked and then rocked back, speaking Spanish and ordering. She caught a few words, but it wasn’t a language she knew well.
“You just said I had a big butt and a hairy top lip, didn’t you?”
Sam laughed and leaned in, like he was about to sharea big secret with her. “I just ordered us tequilas, and the best dishes this place has on the menu.”
“We didn’t even see the menu!” she protested.
“Would you believe me if I said there were only three items?”
Mia narrowed her gaze, trying not to laugh at him. She hadn’t seen a lot of this side of Sam, the funny, easygoing side to him, away from horses and sex and… she smiled to herself. She only knew him with either horses or sex involved, period.
“No.”
Sam grinned, waving the waiter over when he saw him carrying their drinks. “I asked him for his own personal favorites, told him we’d trust him.”
Mia shrugged, happy to try anything. “To good food,” she said, holding up her glass and clinking it to Sam’s.
When she took a sip it burned a fiery trail down her throat that warmed her right to her belly. “That’s strong,” she said, taking another sip. “Strong but good.”
Sam drained his as she watched. “Glad we appreciate the same drinks.” Mia took another sip, liking the heat that spread through her body as a result of it. “I’m going to be good and drunk before the food hits the table.”
“Enjoy the buzz. I’m only having one, to take the edge off.”
Of course, he was driving. “Edge off what?” she asked.
“Sitting here with you and being forced to tell my life story.”
Mia held up her glass and clinked it to his. “Ah, yes, back to you. What were we up to?”
He grunted. “My mom left us, and for some reason as we got older, Dad pulled away from his family. Maybe he was embarrassed.”
“You’d think he’d have wanted to be closer to them since he was raising you on his own.”
Sam’s laugh was dark. “I wouldn’t call what he didraisingus. In fact, I don’t think he can take any credit other than not letting us starve.”
Mia nodded, not about to attempt a soothing reply. Sam’s face said it all—the husky tone of his voice telling her that whatever had gone on between him and his dad was something he still held deep.
“You’re making me feel bad for moaning about my own dad so much,” she admitted.
Sam shrugged. “The fact that I had a shitty upbringing doesn’t mean you can’t feel the way you do. But yeah, if he didn’t raise a hand to you or make you feel like a worthless piece of shit, then he’s probably not as bad as you think. Hand on my heart, I can honestly say I’m better off now he’s dead, and I’m not trying to be an asshole saying that, it’s the truth.”
They both took another sip then, and Mia studied Sam from across the table. Talking about his father had made his eyebrows knit closer together, his face drawn as he stared down into his drink. Whatever had happened between them, even so long ago, clearly still troubled him now.
Some of their food arrived then and Mia sat back, the aroma heavenly as she looked at the plate between them. Her stomach grumbled and she laughed.
“I forgot to eat lunch, I’m starving,” she said.
Sam gestured for her to start, and she obliged, taking some of the meat from the plate.
“Steak fajitas?” she asked, making him smile, changing his face back to the warm, open expression she was used to.
“Ah, and here I was thinking you were a virgin with Mexican food.”
“I think everyone knows what a fajita is, you idiot!” Mia laughed and they traded glances, making heat flood her body as she thought about the other meaning of that word. She was definitely no virgin, not where Sam was concerned.
Mia took her first mouthful of the tender steak, putting a piece on her fork before folding the rest of into the tortilla. She nodded. “Mmmm.” She took a proper big bite, watching Sam do the same, their mouths too full to say anything other than keep eating. The peppers and steak were divine, the flavors strong and hot.
“So good,” she finally managed, licking her fingers just as another plate was put in front of them.
