Page 16 of Hothead

“Yup?” she repeated, no longer hiding her annoyance. “I take it that means you’re not done with your questions if you’re gonna grace me with your presence again?”

“Nope.”

Well, okey dokey then.

“Right.” She nodded, mostly in frustration. “Well, as much as I’m enjoying the scintillating conversation we’ve got going on here, I need to go eat ... so I’m gonna go. I guess I’ll see you at the barbecue.”

“That’s it?”

“Uh, yeah. What were you expecting?” She threw him a puzzled look.

“I’ve got steaks back at my place.”

“Great. I’m happy for you.” She managed to cross her arms and quirk her hip. The hip he just so happened to still be holding on to.

“Angel.” He sighed, shaking his head as if she was the infuriating one. “Do you like steak?”

“Why? You gonna recommend a local butcher?”

She was able to crack that impassive expression again. It was only a lip twitch, but she’d take it.

“No, angel, I’m trying to invite you to dinner.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh.” Was it just her imagination, or was his thumb stroking her waist now? “Well? What do you say?”

I’m thinking, I’m thinking. Don’t rush me.

Maybe it was the leather filling her lungs. Or the brush of his thumb on her exposed skin. Or maybe it was because he was currently looking at her like he was dying of thirst, and she was a tall drink of water. Whatever it was that made her say yes, she said it. And soon she’d have to live with the consequences.

CHAPTER FIVE

Like a dumbass, Lukehad invited Bella over for dinner.

Why the hell did I do that again?

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