Page 52 of Steal Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 1)
Once the hostess leaves, I am left feeling a bit nervous that this might be awkward. Despite spending time together we aren’t used to being together when we’re relaxing. Well, I am not used to it. My anxiety hits me and as if he knows, Blaine runs a hand over my thigh in a possessive grip. I’m sitting between River and him, and Kaden and Royce are both taking the outer side edge. That doesn’t surprise me in the least because both of them probably want to be able to move fast if anything happens. Isn’t it odd that I already know them that well? That I know how they move as a unit? That I’m starting to notice that constant silent communication between them?
Yet, before I even finish my thought that anything could happen, our waiter arrives.
“Hello.” Our waiter stands at the front of the table. I have to admit, that frankly, the guy is handsome. Not like my guys, but still handsome. He looks a bit young, maybe my age but if I have to guess a year or so younger. I don’t think he cares though because his eyes are locked on me the moment he arrives. At first I think that maybe he’s being creepy but I don’t like to assume that people might be looking at me like that. Mostly, because Pierce used to call me an attention whore whenever I told him that I was uncomfortable with how someone was looking at me.
“What can I get you? Do we want to start with drinks?” He asks as River’s hand tightens on my leg slightly and Blaine clears his throat making me turn my head to look at him. I have seen a lot of versions of Blaine recently but the way his jaw is clenched and eyes are almost a smoldering melted silver now, throw me for a loop. What is he angry about?
“I’ll just start with a glass of wine.” I offer with my eyes still fixed on Blaine. Not looking away from Blaine.
“Sure.” The waiter draws my attention back while offering me a wine list. My hand is on the wine menu when his fingers brush mine, making Royce utter out a dangerous sound. I focus on him, jumping slightly in response to the sound, and River tugs the menu from the man, muttering under his breath. I am officially beyond confused right now.
“You can come back after she decides.” Kaden offers, his eyes narrowing but his body perfectly still. Too still.
“Of course.” The guy winks as I meet his gaze quickly and he walks away leaving me with raised eyebrows, shocked by the fact that the waiter would still flirt after the display of possessiveness my four alpha males have just put on. He’s either particularly slow or he has a death wish.
“I’m going to go request a new waiter.” Royce goes to stand up and I reach across gripping his forearm to stop. His eyes flash with heat and come down to settle on my grip. I know it's not really holding him there but it's nice that he’s listening to me.
“Stop it,” I admonish quietly really not wanting to feed this nonsense. “He’s fine. He’s been nothing but polite.” Royce offers me an incredulous look as Blaine sighs.
“She doesn’t see it,” Blaine utters in a soft, understanding voice.
“See what?” I look back at him as River shifts next to me, looking all sulky … is that a goddamn pout? What in the ever living fuck is going on with these men? Is this how they always act in public and maybe I haven’t seen it? No, I would have noticed, right?
“What kind of wine do you want?” Kaden asks clearly trying to defuse this fuckery.
“I’ll just get a glass of Merlot,” I mumble, feeling confused. The waiter is back almost as if he was listening and waiting around the corner and when they see him, all my men instantly stiffen. Why are they so uncomfortable around this guy? I mean sure he seems a bit weird but this is way too intense. Royce is leaning back against the booth, his eyes so dark that they look nearly black as he watches the waiter like a predator stalks his prey.
“Merlot for the beautiful lady,” he enunciates in a low, almost menacing tone as River actually growls but the guy continues, completely undeterred. “What can I get you guys?”
“Water for me, please,” Kaden states evenly. The guy tries to hide a smile and walks off.
“Should have done this at home …” Blaine mumbles and my chest clenches.
Are they regretting this? Maybe they’re embarrassed about how this looks and that’s why they’re acting so odd? I swallow, feeling my eyes prick with tears as I play with my hands in my lap. I am nibbling on my bottom lip and apparently it is distracting enough for River to make him ignore the hushed conversation the others are having. I have no idea what they are talking about.
“Sloane?” River whispers.
“Yeah?” I ask looking up at him through my lashes and trying not to cry or let my insecurity slip out. Pierce used to get mad whenever I would tell him anything that bothered me while we were out. I’m sure these guys won’t be like that … but I just really don’t want to risk it.
“Kitten …” He grips my chin with gentle fingers, forcing me to look at him. “What’s wrong? Does that guy bother you?”
“We can get rid of him.” Royce offers looking overly eager at the idea.
“What?” I frown, “No, I am just worried that you guys are … I don’t know, I guess embarrassed or something to be out with me. That’s why you keep trying to get him away from the table, right? Royce, you just said we should have stayed home.”
All of them freeze and stare at me like I’ve grown a second head. Ok, so I clearly must’ve missed the mark somehow. My bad.
“I am going to kill your ex one day. A slow, painful death,” Kaden mutters looking away and running a hand through his soft hair. Huh?
“What?” I echo.
“Honey bunny …” Blaine whispers with a pained voice pulling me onto his lap in the middle of the restaurant as River intertwines his fingers with mine. Alright … so they’re not embarrassed? “I didn’t mean it like that at all, I am so sorry if that’s how it looked to you. We could never be embarrassed about you, Sloane.” They all nod and I realize that Blaine just spoke for all of them, do they really all feel that way?
“So why are all of you acting so weird?” I frown. Maybe they all lost it. A life on the run doesn’t exactly support good mental health, you know?
“Because he’s leering at you,” River states looking furious. I had sort of been joking about the possessive alpha male element but …
“No he wasn’t,” I retort feeling very confused and not missing the defensive tone in my own voice. I feel a dull, throbbing pain starting to pound at one of my temples. Are they going to cause a scene? Storm out of the restaurant? Give me the silent treatment all the way home?
