Page 39 of Vas

“You don’t know?”

Anna shook her head. “I’m not a huge fan of pie.”

He settled back in his seat, draping an arm along the back of the booth as if getting comfortable for a long chat. Anna darted a look around to the few remaining customers but no one paid them any attention.

“What don’t you like about pie?”

She shrugged a shoulder. “Pretty much all of it, but mostly the crust. I don’t mind chocolate cream pie but I’ll just eat the filling…” she shrugged a shoulder again and grimaced. “So I guess that’s basically chocolate pudding.”

“And you like chocolate pudding?”

“I love chocolate anything.”

“That’s what I’ll have then.”

“Chocolate pudding?”

“Yes.”

He picked up his coffee again, his fingers spanning almost the whole diameter of the mug, and took another sip, not bothering to blow that time. She was only slightly disappointed.

“Coming right up.” She felt his eyes on her as she left and with that knowledge, she added a bit more swing to her step, her tight jeans hopefully drawing attention to one of her betterassets.

She returned a minute later after plucking out a pudding from the refrigerated glass case, adding a spray of whipped cream to the top, and grabbing a long-handled spoon from behind the counter. She set the footed, tulip-rimmed glass down in front of him then made to leave.

“Wait.”

She paused as he picked up the spoon, took a hefty scoop from the glass, and held it out for her. She hesitated.

“Come on,” he jiggled the spoon. “No one’s watching.”

She looked around. He was right. Only one table was left with customers who were so engrossed in each other, they were paying no attention to their surroundings. Even Tiffany, who was probably somewhere in the back, was nowhere to be seen.

She took the bite, whipped cream hitting her nose which she instantly swiped with the back of her hand.

“Good?”

She nodded, swallowing.

Vas took another scoop and brought the spoon to his mouth, taking the bite, his eyes on her the whole time. There was something a little naughty about knowing the utensil that had just been in her mouth was now in his. It was almost more intimate than a kiss.

She croaked, “Good?” repeating his same question because, let’s face it, her brain wasn’t firing on all cylinders.

He slowly nodded, sticking the spoon back into the pudding and offering her another bite.

She didn’t hesitate that time, opening her mouth for him to feed her. She licked her lips.

“I think,” he said, his eyes never leaving her mouth, “chocolate pudding is my new favorite dessert.”

Vas stayed throughout cleanup while she hurried about her duties fueled by more than just a sugar high. Every time she glanced over, he still watched her—waiting—his frown deepening with each task she finished.

“You work too hard,” was the first thing Vas said once they exited the back door after saying goodbye to Tiffany.

“It’s not nearly as taxing as my last job. Though the tips are nowhere as good either.”

“Where’d you work?”

“El Verde Country Club.”

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