Page 29 of Heat & Deceit
“We’ll find somewhere else to eat.” Matthew boldly looks at the alpha. “Somewhere without alphas.”
“All right, folks.” The waitress appears with two sushi platters full of different varieties. “Where should I set these?”
I glance at Matthew and he shakes his head. “Actually, I think we’re going to—”
“Right in the middle is perfect,” I cut Matthew off.
We especially can’t leave now that she’s brought the food. It wouldn’t be fair to her. I scoot my water glass out of the way, and Matthew grudgingly grabs his as well, so she can set them down. The sushi is meant to be shared, and the two little plates in front of us will serve as our personal dishes.
“This looks amazing,” I tell the waitress. “Thank you so much.”
She smiles and side-eyes Matthew, who keeps making little sounds of displeasure. “If there’s anything else or if something is wrong, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”
“I don’t see anything amiss. What about you?” I ask Matthew. I know I’m being pushy, but it’s ridiculous to leave because of one asshole, and besides, his date left, so I doubt he’ll stay for long.
“It’s fine.”
The waitress’s eyebrows pinch together. “Okay. I’ll be around to check on you in a bit if you change your mind.” She spins and leaves.
With a sigh, I lean forward. “Are you okay to stay?”
“Well, not really, but it seems I don’t have a choice.”
“Interesting you’re upset about that, considering you weren’t going to give her one when you were ready to leave.”
My eyes fluttering shut for a moment, I imagine throwing my drink in the alpha’s face for being so invasive. If this date were going really well, I’d be even more pissed. Then again, maybe he wouldn’t be interjecting if it weren’t such a train wreck.
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Okay.” I open my eyes and put on a kind smile for Matthew. Really, none of this is his fault. We’re obviously not compatible. I came for dick; he came to find a mate. Neither of us could have predicted who would sit next to us.
“Go ahead and get started. I love eating super fresh sushi.” Matthew scowls at the alpha before marching to the back of the restaurant.
The smile drops from my face as soon as he’s out of sight. This was a horrible idea, but this sushi does look lovely. I grab one of the rolls in the middle—what kind? who knows...it’s sushi roulette—and bring it to my mouth, taking a hesitant bite.
“Oh my god,” I whisper as the soft texture and tanginess burst across my tongue.
“First time?” the alpha murmurs.
For a blissful second, I’d forgotten about him.
Something tells me he wouldn’t like being forgotten. He could never try to live in anonymity as I’m trying to do. I’ve been acting more like Nova than Carmine tonight, but the guy got on my nerves the second he started laughing at me and Matthew, and I haven’t stopped being annoyed by him since.
He’s a random alpha who thinks he’s all that. I’ll stop engaging with him, and he’ll get bored and move on to someone who’s a little more exciting to harass.
“Mmm. The cold shoulder, huh? I do love a mean woman.”
This guy.
I take another bite. Why the hell have I waited so long to try sushi? Seriously, it’s so good. I focus all of my attention on eating and none of it on the alpha beside me. He casually sips from a tumbler, unabashedly staring at me while I eat. Okay, maybe he has a little of my attention.
Dabbing my napkin around my mouth, I make sure there’s nothing on my face. Matthew still hasn’t returned by the time I finish two rolls. I decide to wait for him, so he has a chance to try the roll with the bright colors. There were only two, and I’m tempted to take the last one. Good date etiquette says I should share.
“Maybe he got stuck?”
The alpha’s voice is obnoxiously smooth for someone so freaking irritating. It isn’t fair that, on top of being stacked and tattooed, his voice is rich like honey and as smooth as a fine whiskey.
“How are we doing?” The waitress stops by the table, eyes shooting to the very empty seat across from me. “Did he want something else to eat?”
