Page 32 of Heat & Deceit
His face falls, but he quickly nods. “Yeah, of course, whatever you want. It’s your date.”
“Technically, it’s not anymore,” I mumble dejectedly.
“If it makes you feel better, I was ditched too.”
“Only because you were being obnoxious.” I shake my head. “Why were you even paying attention to us? That omega was gorgeous.”
He sits back in his chair, looking at me with guarded eyes. “I don’t know.”
That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. “Okay.” I scrunch my nose and grab a final roll. “Well, thanks for splitting the tab with me.”
“I told you. I’ve got it covered.”
“No.”
“No?” he asks with a chuckle.
“I’ll pay for my half.”
“It’s no big deal. You don’t deserve to be left with the bill because your date was too chickenshit to stay.”
“He wasn’t chickenshit,” I say with an exasperated sigh. “You were annoying.”
“Were?”
“Are,” I correct. “You inserted yourself into our date.”
“Hmm. I guess you’re right, but that still means I should pay, since I ruined it.”
“You’re not paying for me.”
“Why?” he challenges, leaning forward.
I lean in as well, hissing, “Because I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity.”
“Yes, it is.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes—no. I’m not going to argue with you.” I shake my head. “Is this why you’re the first date? Because you like to get under people’s skin?”
“I’m the first date because I’m a handful.” He sits back with a cocky smirk.
Is he talking about his dick? Of course, he is.
“That’s crude.”
He arches an eyebrow. “What?”
“You being a handful.” I roll my eyes.
Pure, unadulterated delight blooms across his features. “My, my, Carmine, where has your mind gone?”
I stiffen.
He releases a dark, seductive chuckle. “Well, Iama handful, but that’s not what I meant.”
