Page 26 of To Love and Protect
“How hungry are you?” she asked as she scanned the menu on the table.
“Real hungry,” he said as he looked at her with a smoldering gaze.
Remedie glanced up, and then her skin tinted red once again before she reached for her wine and took a bug gulp.
“Um, . . . we’ll start with mini crab cakes. Oh, and we’ll do the duck confit with the sweet potato crockets. Let’s do the crispy catfish bites too. For entrees, we’ll try the filet with pimento cheese butter, shrimp and grits risotto, and the porterhouse with lobster and collard green chimchuri.”
Nico blinked at her. It sounded like she spoke a different language, but one glance at the server told Nico he was the oddball in this conversation. The server had definitely picked up everything Remedie had just put down.
“Great selections, Miss. I’ll be right back with the complimentary cornbread.”
When he left, Nico looked at her and asked, “You sure I’m gon’ like that shit you just ordered?”
Remedie nodded enthusiastically. “We gotta broaden those tastebuds, buddy.”
Nico’s dick twitched as he licked his lips. “I’m definitely open to broadening them.”
He swore he wasn’t always like this, but something about Remedie drove him crazy. He wanted so badly to taste her . . . to devour her, really, but he would be patient. This was a marathon, after all, not just a race. He wanted way more from her than just pussy.
“Are you always like this?”
“Like what?” Nico grinned because he knew exactly what she was asking. Her thoughts merely mimicked his. He just wanted to hear her say it. He saw the moment she realized he was toying with her, because she squared her shoulders and spoke with confidence.
“Thirsty for pussy?”
Nico laughed loudly. Neighboring tables glanced in their direction before going back to minding their business.
“I’m only thirsty for your pussy, baby, believe that.”
She cocked her head to the side. “So much to unpack there.”
“Like what?” He picked up his drink and took a sip.
“For one, that can’t be true because when I met you?—”
“I was tryna get head, not pussy.” Nico corrected her before she could even make the mistake.
“You’re impossible.” She took a drink of her wine, and he could see her toying with another question.Go ’head, cookie. Ask it.“Why me?”
“Why not you?” His response was so quick it made her blink rapidly.
“Can you just answer the question?”
He could tell he got under her skin. He loved it but decided to play nice. “I already told you I’m feelin’ you. Why wouldn’t I?You’re gorgeous, ambitious, a good listener, a quick learner, an amazing cook, feminine, a good conversationalist, strong?—”
“Okay, okay,” she said. Her blush was on ten. “You noticed all that after a week, huh?”
“I noticed all that after a second.” Remedie took another big gulp of her wine. “You gon’ have to get used to me complimenting you, cookie. I ain’t gon’ let up.”
“Noted.”
“You in love yet?”
“Huh?” Her eyes bugged out, and he chuckled.
“I asked if you were in love yet.”
“Is that what all this is? Your way of winning a stupid bet?”
