Page 35 of Inflame

“What are you two talking about?” Angie asks, narrowing her eyes as she slides into the booth first.

I slide in beside Claire and breathe in her vanilla scent. It took everything in me not to lean in closer to her while she manhandled the car and smell her hair. I had to keep reminding myself that we are a horrible match. She wants a relationship that leads to aforever. I want a thrill that can only befor now.

We are on opposite ends of the spectrum.

“Wow, they have a whole vegan and gluten-free section on the menu?” Claire says in shock.

It is one of the reasons why I chose this place. I know she said she would cheat on this trip, but she already adapted last night when we went to the chocolate shop. Plus, it is easy to find places that offer variety with a little scouring of the Internet.

The waitress takes our orders.

“So, everyone is up for a hike at Red Rock Canyon?” Claire asks, pulling out a map from her purse. “I thought we could do this trail.” She points to the spot on the map that shows the path in red. “It is scenic and has some cool photo opportunities.”

“Sounds fun,” Angie says, looking over the rest of the trails. “Where did you get the map?”

“When we all decided on Vegas for the trip, I went online to the tourist page and requested information to be sent to the apartment ahead of time. I was able to research and keep a list of things we should do while we are here. Hiking was one of my top picks.”

Claire went through so much trouble to give us all a great trip. I should be ashamed for giving her such a hard time, but she is so damn sexy when she’s flustered.

Our pancakes arrive, and they look amazing. I resist laughing over Claire bouncing in her seat and clapping. Why does she have to be so freaking adorable?

“Want to sample a bite of each?” I suggest, since we each ordered something different.

Everyone agrees, and I cut off bites from my cinnamon roll stack. Cream cheese icing coats each layer and the batter is spiraled to look like an actual cinnamon roll. I hold up a piece for Claire to try. She leans in, her lips encompassing the fork. As she slides her mouth from the utensil, I wonder if she knows just how intriguing I find her. It’s not like I’m keeping my feelings completely to myself. She makes me want to be bold and brazen.

Her shirt is pulled taut over her breasts. I can see the outline of her bra underneath. I want to see just how much she puts out for pancakes. I want to squeeze her twin globes and paw at her ass. I don’t want to be tender. I am not a gentle lover. Can she handle my desires? Can she keep up with my needs?

I am in over my head.

I can’t even eat seemingly innocent pancakes without it turning sexual.

I focus on avoiding eye contact for the rest of the meal. Angie shares her red velvet stack with us that is dolloped with an ample amount of freshly made whipped cream.

Fuck. She is moaning beside me. I cannot stop looking. Her soft sounds are music to my dick.

I want to drag her in back of the restaurant and fuck her against a wall in a dark corner. I want to make her scream in ecstasy. I want to be the reason for her pleasure. Not fucking pancakes.

I rub my hand over my face.

“Nic, are you feeling okay?” Angie asks, causing the others to stare at me. “You look like you’re going to be sick.”

“I’m fine. I just slept poorly last night.”

Graham gives me a look that says he’s not buying what I’m selling. He knows me so well. Even when we spar with each other, we are each other’s greatest opponent. We know how the other thinks and can predict holds before the other can make the first move. This is another reason why we work well together in business ventures. Neither of us budges, and when it comes to security, I can see the big picture and anticipate breaches before they occur.

We continue eating pancakes and chatting about nothing in particular. Graham got the s’mores stack and Claire’s carrot cake ones are pretty damn delicious for being healthy. The girls excuse themselves to go to the restroom, leaving Graham and me here alone.

“Collins said he got the information on Maxwell that you wanted.”

“That fucker needs to reevaluate his priorities before I start snatching away what he thinks is his,” I grind out.

“You keep your head on straight, baby bro. I have a wedding coming up and my girl cannot handle any stress. She is still coping with so many things, and I don’t think my heart can handle if she relapses. Do not fuck with Claire. I don’t know how many times I need to warn you. I see the way you are looking at her.”

“And how is that?”

“Like you are going to eat her up alive.”

I want to eat her up. Spread her lips and shove my face right into her sweet pussy. Make a meal out of her. I wonder how many fingers she can take before she is trembling from the intrusion. Will her face show pleasure or be slightly grimaced from the pain?

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