Page 41 of Love and Other Trials
She turned to Dax as one of the girls led them upstairs to their table. “Do I have a dark cloud over me?” she whispered.
“No. That’s all her, honey.”
Her smile was forced as the server seated them, but the waiter appeared with a smile and a welcome for everyone, including Sherlock. He wasn’t a college student, and when she asked, he said he was Charleston born and raised, which had her thinking maybe the college girls didn’t understand Charleston was all about hospitality. But surely this would have been mentioned in their training.
She knew her grandma had strong views about outsiders moving in and not getting into the “spirit” of things, but seeing the lack of hospitality made her sad. She planned to make a home here. She wanted to feel that spirit as much as she gave it.
“You’re frowning.” Dax leaned across the table after the server left with their order, the scent of his understated cologne making her olfactory senses cheer at least. “Hey… Do we need to start bringing your flask with us?”
“Now that’s an idea…” He’d love her garter flask, and they were at the point where she’d let him reach under her skirt and find it. “Maybe we should have a mimosa.”
An indulgent smile played across his lips. “You can. Even if I weren’t driving, that’s too sweet for me.”
Right. Guys drinking mimosas was rare, except for Jeffrey, who adored them. But Dax did groan when he took his first bite of chicken and waffles, and that deep sound pinged something low in her belly.
She wanted him groaning like that withher. “Good?”
“You’re right.” He closed his eyes in pure bliss, so manly, she wanted to leap across the table between them and launch herself at him. “I’m ruined for them elsewhere.”
Or he could come back here with her…
Was it crazy to start hoping he might actually want to relocate here? Yeah, but crazy ran in the family. “Another thing to love about Charleston.”
Seed thrown down.
“Honey, you’re the best thing about Charleston. Chicken and waffles are like here.” She watched as he set a reasonably high bar in the air before he raised his hand over his head. “You’re here.”
Her heart fluttered. “That’s mighty high praise. I’d say the same about you, and I really love me some chicken and waffles.”
The way his mouth curved as he forked another bite had her clenching her thighs. Goodness, this man was hot and she wanted him like a plate of chicken and waffles. With butter and syrup on top.
“You’re not eating.”
The implication was in the rough edge of his voice.You’re watching.
Her inner reply was immediate.Yes, Captain Hotpants, I am.
“I’m anticipating.” She drew out the words, enjoying the way his green eyes sparked with heat. “I know the taste is going to be out of this world.”
He seemed to lick his lips as he finished chewing before tearing off the end of another chicken tender and holding it out to her. “You’re damn right it’s the best you’re ever going to have. I guarantee it.”
Good Lord! She was going to die right here. Leaning forward, she let him feed her, not breaking their stare once. The green in his eyes darkened from the heat he found in her gaze, and she was grateful she had a full water glass because once she finished chewing, she was going to be downing half of it and crunching some ice cubes to cool down.
By the time they finished their meal, she was sure her face and neck were flushed. Sherlock was even looking at her oddly with his expressive eyes. She wanted to explain.I’m in heat. For this man. You remember what mating season feels like, right, buddy?
After Dax paid the check, his hand settled on the low right side of her back. Close to her waist. His hand was hot. She was glad she wasn’t alone.
When he opened the door and helped her into her seat, he leaned in. “Excuse me, but I can’t wait another minute.”
His mouth covered hers, hot and searching. She lifted her hand and threaded it through his sandy hair. She had the taste of maple and fried chicken along with Dax in her mouth. And when his tongue slid through the seam of her lips and rubbed against hers, she gave in to a soul-deep groan.
He answered, the reverberation rolling through her, as he pressed her back into the seat. His mouth slanted over hers, changing the angle, making things hotter until he was pulling back, breathing hard. “We’re in the middle of a parking lot.”
“Kissing in public is probably against the law,” she replied hoarsely with a laugh. “I think spitting is still illegal for women. You know those old laws.”
“Damn, because I’m a rule follower.” His mouth looked absolutely luscious when he grinned. “Law-abiding citizen and all. Although I’m relieved to know they temper women’s spitting, I won’t lie.”
She swatted him. “Men are the gross spitters with all that…” Her attempt to mimic a man coughing up a loogie made him chortle.
