Page 23 of When the Angel Falls First

“Go ahead, ask.”

“Do you actually need food? Or is it a cover thing, like you eat so nobody knows you’re not human?”

The ease with which she asked the question made me wonder.Hadshe started to accept what I was? “I don’t need it, no. But I do enjoy it. It’s a very… human experience. It’s a way of connecting, understanding. Humans pour a lot of love into their cuisine. Anywhere you go in the world, there is something unique on a plate. It’s history, culture, and that personal touch rolled into one.”

She hummed, a crease forming between her eyebrows as she considered it from my perspective. “I wondered about that after you left.”

I nodded. “I’m sure you wondered a lot of things. Is that all you wanted to know? You can ask me anything.”

“I… I’m not sure. Maybe we should stick to why we’re here.” She tucked a bouncy curl behind her ear, ducking her head to avoid my eyes as the waitress approached with our drinks.

Don’t push, Caleb.

We ordered, and I ignored the waitress’s lingering glances. As she walked away, Josie looked back up.

“I bet you get that a lot, don’t you?”

“Get what a lot?”

“Checked out. By every woman who has eyes and a pulse. And maybe some who don’t.”

There was an edge of bite to her tone, and it thrilled me to know shecared. I knew from the couples I matched that jealousy could be rooted in a lot of emotions, but none of those emotions were indifference.

“I can’t say I’ve noticed. There is only one woman who has ever caught my eye.” I knew that longing was pouring out of me, and I made no attempt to hide it.

She blushed furiously, fiddling with the cloth napkin in her lap, her aura a rosy pink. Pleasure, desire, curiosity…

Addictive. Everything about her drew me in.

“But as you said, the task at hand. Tell me about your family. What do I need to know?” I asked, easing the sexual tension that was steadily building between us. I shifted in my seat while she considered her answer, trying not to stare and glad that, inside the restaurant, I at least had the table to cover my straining dick.

“So many things. I’m not even sure where to start.” Her aura bled from a sizzling-red sexual curiosity into deep-navy frustration. “It’s been both a whirlwind and tumbleweeds all at once, and even though I’m in the middle of it, I can’t see how to possibly fix it.”

I reached across the table and stopped her from fidgeting with a soup spoon by entwining my fingers with hers.

She froze like a rabbit scenting a predator.

Isqueezed her fingers.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here to help, remember? Pickonefamily member, and tell me what I need to know about her—or him. We’re in no rush tonight, and we’ve got a week. I’d be happy to take you out again as many times as it takes.” I shot her a wicked grin, unable to hold it back.

“That won’t be necessary,” she said, squinting at me with no small suspicion. “But…” She bit her lip, her eyes tracing down to our joined fingertips then quickly away, as if worried I’d catch her peeking. “How about my brother, Fred?”

“I’d love to hear about your brother, Fred.”

“No, you wouldn’t. He’s more of an ass than Mr. Collins.”

“Worse thanCollins? Surely, that’s not possible.”

“Collins at least made one woman happy at the end ofPride and Prejudice. Fred hasn’t managed that much.”

I couldn’t help it; I laughed. Head back, inappropriately loud for the quiet restaurant,guffawed. I felt dirty looks rolling in from nearby diners and sent them all the suggestion to look deeply into their dining companions’ eyes or out at the view.

“Tell me how you really feel,” I teased, once I could control myself again.

“That’s probably rude, isn’t it? And I don’t want you to hate him or anything. It’s just… he’s always antagonized me. Nothing I do is ever right with him.”

“Ah. And do we care what he thinks?”

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