Page 50 of Heart Stopping
They don't say customer service is difficult for nothing.
"Okay," I said with a sigh. "I have a few minutes." I glanced back to make sure Erin was okay with me stepping out before I headed over to the table Gina indicated.
A man a couple of years older than me sat by himself near the window. He had a menu in his hands and a scowl on his face.
"Afternoon, is there a problem?" I asked. Might as well cut right to the chase.
"My brother told me about this place," he said, his gaze raking up my body until he finally found where my eyes were. "What's good?"
He insisted I come out here so he could ask me that? At least he wasn't a cop. Whatever his gripe was, he wasn't trying to pin anything on me.
"It's all good," I said easily. "Depends what you're in the mood for." I crossed my arms and regarded him. He was handsome enough in an arrogant sort of way. Wavy dark hair, three or four days of stubble on his chin. A piercing in his eyebrow above his right eye. For some reason, that one seemed bluer than the other. His left eye was more blue-green.
"What's the most popular dish?" He closed his menu and placed it on the table beside his fork.
"The spaghetti Bolognese," I said. "Made fresh every day." I was starting to regret the decision to leave Taylor-Francis' body back at the hotel. This guy could have used a heaping bowl of WTF, with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
"What do you have that's not pasta?" He placed his forearms on the table, displaying skin covered in ink.
"You know this is an Italian restaurant, right?" I asked. "Pasta is kinda our thing. But we also have garlic bread, salad and risotto. The risotto is rice, not pasta." In case he didn't know.
"Salad," he echoed, his lip turned up in a sneer. "Do I look like a rabbit?"
"Rabbits can mate multiple times a day, so I'd say no, you don't," I said sweetly.
Archer would be proud of me for spouting off a fact like that. Although, he'd have a better idea of the exact numbers. As retorts went, it would do.
His sneer turned into a smirk. "Babe, if you think I can't fuck a bunch of times a day, you better think again."
"If you say so," I said. "I prefer a man who knows what he's doing once."
He snorted. "I bet you date the kind of guys who don't know where to find the clit."
I matched his snort. "You'd lose that bet. Now, what can I get you to eat?" Did we have any meatballs left from last time? I didn't think we did, unfortunately. Shame, I'd enjoy watching him eat, oblivious to what, or who, he was consuming.
"Jules, you made it." Cass stepped through the door, a smile on his face like he was actually pleased to see this clown.
"Of course I did, bro." Jules half-stood and reached out to shake his brother's hand. "I was just about to tell this chick what she can cook for me." He dropped back down into his chair.
"I'd tell you to make your own sandwich, but you can stay out of my kitchen." I accepted the side hug from Cass and let my lips linger over his when he kissed me.
"Seems like you didn't tell me everything." Jules glared at both of us.
I ignored him and said, "I have some ravioli I think you'll love, and I've been experimenting with flavors for a new kind of milkshake if you're game to try."
"That sounds perfect." Cass smiled softly. "Thank you." His cheeks turned pink, but he leaned in to press his nose to mine. "Jules, you should try her ravioli. It's so good."
I wanted to say Jules could stay the hell away from myravioli, but I'd serve them both some pasta. "Two bowls of ravioli and a milkshake, coming up."
"You aren't still drinking that shit, are you?" This time, Jules' lip curl was aimed at his brother. "I'll take water. I'm careful about what I put in my body."
Once again, I regretted not having any of Taylor-Francis in my fridge.
I gave Jules a smile and said, "Funny, me too." None of his body parts were going anywhere near mine, especially my pussy. How did a guy like Cass have an asshole for a brother? I assumed when nature gave out personalities, they gave Jules' portion to Cass.
"You say that now." Jules looked cocky, although I got the impression the previous part of our conversation sank in. The bit about his brother knowing where to find my clit.
"I'll go and fix your lunch." I kissed Cass' cheek, rolled my eyes at Jules and headed back into the kitchen.
