Page 402 of One More Kiss

Pretty sure if you could die from embarrassment, I’d be a goner. But what a way to go.

That wicked grin? With those eyes? And that deep voice?

Is it hot in here?

“Fiiiine,” he finally gives in, throwing me a bone. “Do you want to go in or do the”––he clears his throat and points at the giant neon sign with an arrow on it––“drive-thru?”

“Drive-thru, please.”

I’m pretty sure he’d have a heart attack if he stepped one foot inside the dinky restaurant, and I wanna see the look on his face when he finally tastes the amazingness that Burrito Bandito has to offer.

Hawthorne follows my order and pulls up to the microphone before scanning the options on the billboard to his left.

“What do you like from here?” he asks.

“The chips and salsa are to die for, and so are their fish…tacos. As for their burritos, you can’t go wrong.”

“Alright, then.” He scans the menu one more time before rattling off his order. Then he turns to me. “What do you want?”

“I’ll take the same, please.”

“Make that two of everything,” he adds to the intercom.

“Perfect,” a voice crackles in return. “We’ll have your total at the window.”

I reach for my purse, but he puts his hand on mine and stops me. “No deal, Princess.”

“But––”

With a pointed stare, he orders, “I’m serious. Put it away. Let me treat you.”

The warmth from his touch makes me melt as I give him a nod.

“Thank you,” he murmurs before tearing his gaze from mine to pull the car forward.

When we get to the next window, he digs out his credit card and hands it to the cashier before grabbing two paper bags filled with greasy goodness. My mouth waters as the scent wafts through his beautiful car.

Which is when I realize there’s greasy goodness in his immaculately clean car.

“Um,” I hum.

He looks over at me. “Is there a problem?”

“I changed my mind. We should go in.”

With a dry laugh, he challenges, “Why do you look like you just got caught skipping school?”

“Because I didn’t think about how eating in your car might dirty it up a bit.”

“So?”

“So, have you seen Eleanor? She’s a beaut.”

“And you’re a beaut, so I think it’s worth the risk.”

“But I’m a mess, and she’s so pretty and clean.” I pet the dashboard lovingly.

Another dry laugh escapes him. “Maybe she could use a little dirtying up.”

---