Page 28 of Filthy Ruck

I only took a moment to think about it. Curiosity quickly overruled any caution I should have had. “Yes, I'll let you. Should we eat first?”

He glanced around like he forgot where we were, shook his head to remind himself. “Yes, we should eat and… And drink.” The words were loaded, spiking my curiosity further.

He gestured for the server to take our orders and we handed over our menus.

“I hope you like the food. I've been here lots of times and I think it's really good.” He looked anxious now, nervous.

“I'm sure it's delicious,” I said. “Will you excuse me for a moment? I need to go to the ladies room.”

He nodded again and rose to help me with my chair. For some reason, he looked relieved. Was my company that tedious? No, it was something else. Something he had in mind.

In spite of that, I half-expected him to be gone when I got back, but he wasn't. He was sitting at our table, hands in his lap. The server dropped off our meals and drinks while I was in the bathroom.

“This looks so good.” I waved him down when he started to stand to help me sit. “Let's dig in.”

“Yes,” he said quickly. He picked up his fork and stabbed it into a meatball. “Can I tell you something?”

“Sure.” I cut open a ravioli and started to eat.

“I can't stop thinking about you,” he said. “You're beautiful and smart. And sexy. I've never met anyone like you.”

“To be honest, I can't stop thinking about you too,” I said. And Storm as well, but the fullback could easily have overpowered my thoughts with his personality. He hadn't, not entirely. I was intrigued by Frost. By the edge of darkness that flitted across his expression every now and again. I wanted to dig underneath that sweet exterior to find out what was underneath.

I didn't know who had looked past him to everyone else, toanyoneelse, because I couldn't look away. The more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to get to know him. To touch him. To taste him. I wasn't sure who would be claiming who. Maybe we'd claim each other. Maybe I could be as possessive of him as Storm was of me.

“You can't?” He looked genuinely surprised.

“I really can't,” I assured him. “I feel drawn to you. I don't think I could stop myself if I wanted to, which I don't. You have a lot to offer, I can tell.”

“I do,” he said easily. “I want to give all of it to you. Everything.” He watched me carefully as I picked up my wine.His expression was anxious, like he was invested in me taking a drink. Had he done something to it?

His tongue swiped over his lower lip. “Drink your wine,” he said softly. “It'll help to relax you.”

He'd slipped something into my drink.

“How relaxed?” I asked carefully.

“Just the right amount,” he assured me. “Take a drink.”

I lifted the wine to my lips and took a big sip.

He smiled in relief. “Good girl.” He concentrated on finishing his dinner and sipping light beer, while watching me drink the rest of my wine.

“This was beautiful,” I said. “The food was so good. And the company is excellent.”

He grinned. “I'll pay while you… Finish your drink.”

“I can pay for myself,” I protested. I tried to stifle a yawn, but I could barely raise my arm to put my hand over my mouth.

He was looking at me expectantly, his head cocked.

“What did you…” I blinked, the movement slower than usual. Sluggish. More than relaxed.

“Nothing that'll hurt you,” he said quickly. “I told you I wanted to show you the real me. I have a…preference. Don't worry, you'll be awake. I want you aware of everything I'm going to do to you.”

He slipped me something to incapacitate me, not just relax me. I could have panicked, but instead I surrendered to whatever he gave me. It wasn't like I had much of a choice. Soon, I'd be unable to move.

“Come on, before it kicks in.” He stood and took my hand to pull me to my feet.

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