Page 88 of Guarded

“I mean, yes, Princess.” Louie corrects himself.

When Louie salutes me, a small chuckle falls from my lips. Nero reaches between us and slams the small window shut. I press my lips together to stifle my laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” I say, another laugh escaping me.

“Are you jealous?” I tease him.

“Of Louie?” His brows bunch together before he shakes his head. I turn and place a leg on each side of him, straddling him.

“Ay Bebé.” I kiss his forehead like he does mine, and his face turns white.

“What are you doing?” he grumbles. I hug him tightly.

“I’m hugging you, Valiente. Just let me.”

“Why do you need to go to Whataburger right now, Ari?” he sighs.

I pull away from him, gasping as I clutch my imaginary pearls.

“I just watched my future husband fuck a woman behind a dumpster. And then we- well, you know,” I whisper the last part, looking around to make sure no one hears. “The least you can do is take a girl to Whataburger.”

“This is a bad idea.” He mumbles to himself.

The car stops, and I move from Nero’s lap to the window. I’m like a kid in a candy store when I see the large Orange and White W logo with the Whataburger sign above it.

I move back to Nero and whisper into his ear.

“I’ve never been disappointed with any of your bad ideas.”

I catch a glimpse of him smiling before I step out of the Limousine.

Growing up in California, In and Out was all the hype, but when I moved to Houston, I quickly learned that it had nothing on Whataburger. When we get inside, Louie looks as excited as I do.

I order a Honey BBQ Chicken strip sandwich and a Dr. Pepper Shake. I open my purse, but Nero insists on paying, which is great, considering the only thing I have in my clutch is lip gloss and one of Guapo’s doggy treats. Finding a booth in the back corner, Nero slides in, pulling me onto his lap.

“Nero!” I protest. “People are going to see.” I lower my voice.

He looks around at the empty lobby, then to Jasper and Louie waiting at the counter for our food.

“Jasper and Louie?” He arches his brow.

His very thick eyebrows. Is it strange to be attracted to someone’s eyebrows? His whole facial structure was admirable. His skin was clear, his facial hair perfectly groomed, and his broody eyes. Swoon-worthy eyes that made me feel like I was being hypnotized every time I looked into them.

“Stop looking at me like that if you don’t want to give this entire place a free live show.” He murmurs.

I roll my eyes before looking up to see Louie and Jasper coming towards us with their tray. Nero’s hands squeeze me tighter into him when I try to move, and I have to exert some strength to push off him and scoot into the corner.

“No one puts Barbie in the corner,” Louie says, approaching us. He laughs at his own joke until Jasper slaps him upside the head.

“Sit the fuck down, Patrick Swayze.”

“Sorry to intrude on your date,” Louie says.

Nero chokes on his drink, and my eyes widen. The mischievousness in Louie’s face encourages me to act up.

“Aww. Is this our first date?” I ask Nero.

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