Page 24 of Inarticulate

“You don’t think I deserve to know?”

He appraised her with an impassive stare. There was no charm, no concern. He seemed like he didn’t care for the conversation, or her in general anymore.

“Well, as informative and fun as this whole experience has been, I think it’s best if I leave.” She placed her hands on the edge of the table, preparing to push to her feet when his palm pressed down on her fingers.

“Are you ready to order?”

A waitress stepped into Savannah’s periphery, a notepad in hand. Damn her and her impeccable timing.

Keenan turned his attention to the woman, his smile sly as he nodded.

“The usual?” the young, brunette asked.

Another nod. As the woman scribbled on her notepad, he raised a flat hand to his chin and then lowered it to expose his palm.

Sign language?

“No problem.” The waitress turned her attention to Savannah. “How about you?”

“What is his usual?” It was probably something masculine and entirely caveman. Steak. Rare. Fries and definitely no salad or vegetables.

“He has the dipping breads as an appetizer, which is big enough to share.” The woman shrugged. “Or you could order your own if you like…”

Keenan was already shaking his head, the gentle glide back and forth holding too much authority for her nipples not to take notice.

“No, I’m sure he’ll let me have some of his.” She grinned at him and then focused back on the waitress in a vain attempt to prove to him that he didn’t hold all her attention.

“For the main meal, he has the twelve-ounce rib eye, cooked medium with pepper sauce and a side of potato wedges.”

“That sounds perfect.” She held in her laughter at her accurate assessment, not that it mattered. The sensation quickly faded. If she could pick his palate with ease, then she couldn’t be far from wrong in her previous assumptions.

He wasn’t about success and hard work like she was. But more distressing than that, he was trouble. Madness. He was going to cause her more days of unsettled thoughts and maybe a few gray hairs, and still she couldn’t bring herself to leave. Not before she had her answer.

“The appetizers won’t be long.”

Savannah nodded as the waitress sauntered away. There was a beat of uncomfortable silence, one that settled discomfort at the top of her spine and slowly shimmied its way down.

“I need to know, Keenan.” She couldn’t let the conversation drop. “It’s not like I’m going to run to Penny as soon as you divulge the truth. I just need to know for my own sake. To figure out if it’s something I’m willing to get involved in.”

She hadn’t been sure. Not consciously. Being the other woman was a taboo, a severe slap in the face to the girl-code, yet she’d announced what her conscience had been trying to hide—she’d contemplated surrendering to this man, girlfriend or not. She’d contemplated it over and over and over again. Almost non-stop since the bonfire.

He leaned in close, so close their breath mingled as he shook his head.No.

“Are you sure?” Her voice was raspy, sex starved.

He came closer, gifting her with the seriousness in his eyes, before he swiped his mouth over hers in a firm press that had her thighs clenching together. When he pulled back, she felt like she’d disembarked from a speed boat race, and here he was, relaxed as if he’d just returned from a late night stroll in the park.

He remained there,rightthere, his nose rubbing against hers as he nodded.

“Do you know I’m only here for a few months?” Her throat was dry, making it harder to breathe. He nipped her lower lip, making her gasp. Everything he did was delicious. Why? Why, oh why had the heavens given one man so much power?

She pulled back, as far as her hungered libido would allow. “Is that the appeal? The foregone expiration date?”

He growled, the deep sound echoing between them. He ran a strong hand through her hair, holding her in place as he looked her in the eye. “No,” he mouthed with fervor.

“Oh, boy,” she whispered, inspiring another of his jaw-dropping grins. “You’re going to be a huge mistake, aren’t you?”

His soundless chuckle brushed against her tongue and he nodded into her as he took possession of her mouth. He continued to hold her, his hand still in her hair, his lips firm and unyielding. He kissed her like they were seconds away from fucking, as if they weren’t in a crowded room with a hundred witnesses to their carnality.

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