Page 10 of Wizard

“Romance novels aren’t only for women, you know,” I joked.

She raised an eyebrow, and her gaze swept over me.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover,” I admonished, tongue in cheek.

Her head popped up to stare at me, then she burst into laughter. The sound was as beautiful as the rest of her. I could happily listen to it for the rest of my life…and whatever noises she made when she was coming.

“Romance novels aren’t usually my thing,” I admitted with a smile. “But you are a damn good writer, baby. Started the first one because I was curious, then I was hooked. Besides, it was a way to be close to you while I was so busy with club shit.”

Thea’s green orbs heated as her body practically melted into mine. “You win,” she said softly.

“Oh?” I leaned in close until our breaths were mingling. “What did I win?”

Her gaze moved down to my chest, and her cheeks reddened. “I’ll go on a date with you.”

Triumph and satisfaction roared through me, but I kept my cool, not wanting to put her off by being too smug. “Tomorrow night?”

“Um, how about Friday?”

I lifted her chin and shook my head. “Tomorrow. Not gonna let you change your mind.”

She giggled and nodded. “Tomorrow,” she conceded. “We can meet for lunch.”

I frowned. “That’s not a date.”

Thea huffed adorably. “Of course it is. That’s why it’s called a lunchdate.”

“Semantics.”

“Take it or leave it, Baylor.”

“Fine,” I growled. “Lunch. I’ll pick you up?—”

“I’ll meet you there,” she interrupted.

Telling myself not to push, I swallowed my frustration and agreed. “Do you know where The Fuel & Flame Diner is?”

Thea’s head tilted to the side, thinking for a beat. “Isn’t that the place on Main Street? Across from Inferno Cycles and Customs?”

My brow rose. “You know our garage?”

Her cheeks flamed again, and she giggled. “One of my heroes specialized in custom motorcycles. I went there to do some research a couple of years ago. I talked to a guy…Cross, I think.”

She’d met Cross? Why hadn’t he told me? Jealousy burned in my chest until I forced myself to think rationally. He probably didn’t even remember one random conversation with a woman. Though how anyone could forget Thea was a mystery to me.

“He was really nice and didn’t even ask my name once I told him I was an author researching for a book.”

The explanation I’d come up with seemed even more plausible with that information, cooling the fire inside me. It seemed I wouldn’t have to kill my brother, which saved me a ton of shit with the club.

“Anyway. I’ll meet you there at noon if that works for you?”

“Sure, baby,” I confirmed. It was tempting to stay right where I was and spend more time with my woman. But I respected her job, and if she was anything like me, she probably wanted to be alone and free of distractions while she worked. “Much as I’d like to stay and be with you, I’m gonna let you get back to work.”

“Thank you,” she murmured. “I appreciate your understanding.”

I nodded and briefly squeezed the arm I had around her before removing it. “I know you must have a deadline soon with the preorder you have up.”

Thea’s face turned soft again, and she smiled. “You really have read all of my books, haven’t you?”

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