Page 145 of Solanum

Chapter Eighteen

"How's your ass, babe?" I kissed Nora's cheek while we sauntered down the pavement of the downtown area in the smaller city than we were normally used to. I draped my arm around her shoulders, and she leaned into me.

"Mmm." She smiled up at me, her eyes twinkling with desire as always. "Tender."

"Good." I grinned and wagged my brows. "Just how I like it. You look cute, by the way. I love your outfit."

"Thanks." She smiled and glanced down at herself. For our visit to Owen's pub, Nora wore a pair of black jeans that hugged her in all the right places, with a layered blue sweater. Her feet hit the pavement in a pair of ballet flats that were a stark contrast to the pumps or heeled boots she wore to work on the daily. "Everything I'm wearing belongs to Maggie except my shoes."

I laughed and gave her a squeeze. "Well, let me call her to tell her she looks cute. Think she'll like that?"

"No." She swatted my stomach. "Ass."

My grin only broadened and I chuckled. "Fine. I'll text her."

"Caroline." She whined out my name and I kept on laughing.

"Don't worry, babe. Maggie won't ever take a spanking like you. Plus, Sali would murder me in my sleep."

"Or join you."

"Fair point."

"Is that Owen's place up there?" She pointed to the corner restaurant where groups of people came and went.

"Yep. Remember, this get-together is completely vanilla and casual. And we don't walk in there announcing who we are and why. It's about blending in while being with like-minded folks."

"So, I shouldn't pull my pants down and bend over your knee in between dinner and dessert?" She snickered and I swatted her arm.

"Nope. But feel free to do that any time at home. Daily even."

"I'm starving," she announced, her hand on her stomach. "I feel like I'm always hungry lately. Not just hungry but starving. And I ate like three times today already."

"I've noticed you've been hungrier, but it doesn't seem like a bad thing. Maybe from all the calories you're burning these days with sex marathons." I chuckled and stroked her arm.

"Maybe." She nodded fervently. "Is Sam meeting us?"

"She had to wait for Marley, but they'll be here soon."

"You know…" she began, but trailed for a moment before continuing, "This is the first time we're going out together as…us."

"Yeah." I smiled when we parted to walk properly across the street. "How do you feel about that?"

She held her hand out to me before her feet hit the crosswalk. I took it and she squeezed me.

"Really good. A little nervous," she said, glancing at me before hopping over the curb.

"Nervous why?" The sidewalk in front of the row of restaurants bustled with the comings and goings of their patrons. Nora and I dodged a few folks that headed our way.

"Strangers and such. What if I feel anxious?" She nibbled her bottom lip while holding my gaze.

"Then we leave, honey." I gave her hand a squeeze and she nodded. "You have the control here, Nor. Okay? I want you to know that you don't have to make yourself uncomfortable ever with me."

"I know." Her smile returned and she dropped her head on my shoulder while we closed in on the restaurant.

Groups of people left a sports bar ahead of us, and their joyful, rowdy cheers filled the streets. Mostly college-age men joined a handful of women as they stood around speaking animatedly. One guy glanced in our direction, his eyes flickering up and down us before landing on Nora. He nudged his friend, and he turned to glance at us immediately.

Nora didn't seem to notice, but when the group began breaking up, four of the men headed off in our direction. Tension rushed me with a wave of heat tangled with anger. The same man's attention focused on Nora while he wore a smirk. I squeezed her hand, almost too hard while I watched them walk right toward us. I reached behind my back, my hand disappearing under my jacket as I popped the holster release of my concealed service weapon. Nora looked up at me, her brow furrowing.

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