Page 169 of The Invite
I tilt my head curiously. “Didn’t you distrust them?”
“The detectives looked like they really cared about catching the culprit.”
I don’t buy her reason for a second. If there’s one person she detests more than me, it’s the cops. It clearly has something to do with her past. The secrets she’s keeping close to her chest.
“Spill the truth, Ness,” I demand with an edge to my voice, letting her know I’m onto her foolish tactic.
Her gaze drops to my chest, and she utters, “I don’t want yo—us getting our hands dirty and living with someone’s blood on them.”
The organ behind my ribs pumps harder at her fumble.
Jesus! She’s concerned about me? When I’ve done nothing to earn it? How can someone be so innocent and pure?
The sound of footsteps alerts me to a person walking in our direction and I pause our conversation. It turns out to be the annoying waitress arriving with our food. As fun as it was to see Nessa all riled up and possessive, the girl’s behavior still grated on my nerves. Why would she even assume I’d be interested in her?
My little prey’s beauty is unparalleled. There’s no competition because no woman is even in the same league as her.
All I live, breathe, and see is Nessa.
I pay the waitress no attention as she places our dishes and refills our water. After taking the empty milkshake glass, she walks away.
Since this isn’t the first time I’ve visited this diner, I know the food is extremely delicious. Although I don’t reveal it to Nessa, who eyes the steak with excitement.
I want to shut down her suggestion of going to the authorities, but I refrain from dampening her suddenly bright mood until we’ve eaten.
Nessa slides her legs off mine to sit forward. The space makes me want to yank her back to the same position and feed her on my lap.
Shaking off the stupid urge, I murmur, “Dig in.”
I pick up my fork but don’t immediately start and instead watch her cut off a piece of the perfectly cooked medium-rare steak and take a bite. She chews slowly, swallows it down, and quickly goes for a second bite, seemingly forgetting about me.
Adorable doesn’t even come to describe the way she enjoys it. I’m beginning to understand that Nessa likes to appreciate the little things in life. Never takes them for granted.
When was the last time I took a second to relish a simple meal? I can’t even recall. Money and luxury have never been an issue for my family. It’s not something I’ve had to worry about. Will I become a cynic if I lose it all? Or will I be like Nessa, looking at the world with the same eyes?
“Augustus?”
Nessa’s sweet and husky voice pulls me out of my thoughts. I realize I haven’t touched my plate.
“Is something wrong?” she probes.
Everything.
“No,” I answer, and slide the untouched salad to her. “Eat your greens too.”
“I’m not a child,” she grumbles with a scrunched nose.
“Then don’t avoid eating your veggies.”
“I don’t see you eating them either.”
I stick a fork in the cucumber and pop it into my mouth. While chewing, I flick my chin to her. Short of an excuse, she takes a single bite and tries to slide it away. I warn, “All of it.”
“Yes, sir,” she mocks, aiming to piss me off.
It has the opposite effect, making my cock twitch. “‘Yes, Daddy’ would be more fitting.”
She chokes on her food, coughing loudly. I chuckle, rubbing her back as she grabs some water while throwing me a glare that could shrivel a weaker man’s balls.
