Page 2 of Defending Madison

“You don’t have much of an imagination, Dixon. I love burgers.”

“Aren’t you some star soccer player?”

His foolish comments are going to make me roll my eyes permanently into the sockets the more time I spend with him. “Athletes eat. I’m an athlete. Therefore, I eat.”

He nods. “I get it. Brian always shares the highlights of your college career.”

I turn and smirk at Dix. “Seriously? You need better things to read about. Sports, current events, porn.”

The satisfaction I feel when his jaw drops is palpable. Go me!

“What?”

“Porn. Dirty writing. Erotica. I imagine you can get online enough to surf porn, but you could get books that would travel with pics and cheap dialogue.”

“What the fuck do you know about porn?” His cocky smile has receded to be replaced by shock.

“I read erotica. It’s a great way to pass the time when we’re traveling.” I flick my head at him again. “And close your mouth. A fly’s going to fly in it.”

“Damn. How old are you now?”

“Nineteen. And you?”

“You know damn well how old I am. I’m the same age as your brother, twenty-five.”

I shrug. “You just seem so much older than that. Those gray hairs peeking around that buzz cut make you seem much older.”

The laugh he offers bounces around the cab of the truck and warms my heart. My damp panties are now soaked. It’s a happy,deep laugh like Santa would make only sexier. “I’m glad you think I’m funny.”

He smirks. “Funny is not the word that comes to my mind about you.”

I’d love to ask what word does, but I don’t have any intention of inquiring. I pull the truck into the parking lot at Mark’s Burger Joint and turn off the engine. Dixon stares at me like a lion surveying his prey. “What?”

He offers a sly smile before he reaches for the handle and bounces out of the truck, coming to a stop next to the driver’s door. “Here, let me.”

He holds the door as I step down, grabbing my bag on the backseat and handing it to me. “Thanks. Nice to know chivalry isn’t dead.”

“Did Brian give you any idea when he’d be back at your house?”

“No.” We head across the parking lot, making a beeline for the double glass doors. “I’m guessing late tonight.”

He mumbles, “man whore,” under his breath, and I couldn’t agree more.

A server lifts two menus and motions for us to follow her into the restaurant. Various eyes watch us as we walk together. Dixon’s arm wraps around me with his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. It feels like possession. It isn’t, but a girl can wish. He leads me to the booth as the server hands me a menu. She nearly drops his, making googly eyes at the sexy man.

“What would you like to drink?” She stares at Dixon.

I can almost see drool in the corner of her mouth. I smile at my own joke. “I’ll take water with lemon.”

Dixon smiles. “If you’re driving, I’ll take a beer.”

The server lists a half dozen beers. Dixon is too busy surveying the restaurant and doesn’t look like he’s payingattention, but chooses one as she writes it down on her notebook and turns away.

The gorgeous man leans back against the booth and outstretches his arms. “Brian hasn’t mentioned, so whatcha’ studying?”

“Pre-law.”

His brow lifts. “You hoping to be a lawyer?”

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