Page 30 of The Healing Touch

“I would say yes, but I know you’ll never do it.” She slapped his arm playfully. “Besides, then what would you need me for?”

He grabbed her, draping an arm around her waist. “Bite your tongue, babe. You’re the one person I’ll always need. Now, ready to go eat?”

She shook her head, collected her purse, and let him lead her out of the room, relishing how it felt when he was wrapped around her. Her panic at going outside almost disappeared when he held her. He was her safety blanket, so to speak. Besides, she wasn’t so worried about having to chat with anyone if Dimitri had her full attention.

Dimitri hummed to himself as they rode the elevator down. She hadn’t mentioned their morning foray, and neither did he. They’d get into that later. Right now, he just wanted food and good company. He had a bottomless pit of a stomach, and the only person he’d met who could come close to keeping up with him was Kade’s wife, Angel. That girl could pack away some food and not gain a single pound. Dimitri was completely jealous. His food habits put him in the gym for a good hour or two each day. He still managed upper body exercises even with his legs in the shape they were.

The elevator stopped on the third floor, and two women entered. One had blue hair and the other was a little tamer, her blonde hair only highlighted with pink streaks.

“Ladies,” he murmured and moved back, hauling Becca with him. She’d tensed up the minute the two women entered the elevator with them. He pulled her closer and tucked her against him.

Blondie looked up, and her eyes widened. He groaned to himself. She knew him. He’d bet money on it.

“You’re Dimitri Kincaid, aren’t you?”

Damn, he knew it.

He flashed her a smile. “Yes.”

“Oh, wow!” She almost jumped up and down, causing her friend to glance up from her phone. “I can’t believe it’s you! I came specifically to meet you at the book signing! I love your shifter series. Kyle and Emma are my favorites. Oh, my gosh!”

Dimitri wasn’t sure what to say. He’d never had to actually deal with readers outside of some book signing at Barnes & Noble, and the staff kept it pretty well contained. This was new. Someone freaking out over his books.

Becca pinched him. Hard. He glared down at her, but she was grinning. Dammit. There was no denying the girl was more excited about his books than him. Round one to Becca.

“I’m glad you liked the books…” Hell, he forgot to ask her name.

“I’m Abby, and this is my friend Shelly. She’s here to meet Jessica Darrow.”

He nodded toward Shelly, who was looking at him like most women did. Appreciative, calculating, and full of lust. She was pretty, but she did nothing for him.

The elevator dinged open, revealing the ground floor. They all spilled out, and Abby turned to him before they left. “It was so nice to meet you! I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Nice to meet you too.” He watched as they walked away, bemused. This was a novel experience.

“Don’t say a word,” he warned when he saw Becca about to gloat. “Not one word.”

She hugged him instead. He laughed, and they walked over to the front desk to have the Jeep brought around. His laughter died when she asked if there were any rooms available. The desk clerk ignored his scowl and checked. Thank fuck, there were none. He understood her need to not end up all tangled up with him in bed again, but he took perverse satisfaction in the fact fate thwarted her. The old girl had always been on his side when it came to women.

The desk clerk recommended a local restaurant, the Tattooed Moose, over on Morrison Drive. The trip there was uneventful aside from Becca threatening to break his fingers over the radio. Dimitri would never have guessed she was a radio Nazi. It was cute, though.

As soon as she saw the place, Becca’s entire face lit up, and excitement shone in her eyes. “Do you realize what this place is?”

“Uh, a seafood place?”

“No, it’s not a seafood place.” She bounced in her seat, and he couldn’t stop from smiling at her antics. “It’s the place fromDiners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The duck place!”

“Uh…I’m not a big duck person, Becca. I thought we were eating seafood?” Duck did not sit well on his stomach. Not at all.

“They have other things. Please, Dimitri, can we eat here? Pleeeease?”

Well, fuck. There she went with those puppy dog eyes. How could he say no? “Sure, sweetheart. We can eat here.”

She even forgot her anxiety. She was so intent upon looking at everything, she didn’t notice how crowded the place was. Granted, she had his hand in an iron grip, but she was chatting up a storm with the hostess as they were seated.

“Ohmygod…” The words left her mouth in a rush when she saw the menu. So many choices! She’d wanted to try this place since she’d seen it on TV, but never thought she’d actually get here. For that, she’d have to thank Dimitri and his high-handed tactics.

Dimitri, she noticed, was looking at the menu in consternation. He was worried about his stomach. For a man who could eat like there was no tomorrow, he had severe digestive issues. “You can try the Thanksgiving sandwich. It’s turkey and stuffing. That won’t hurt you.”

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