Page 15 of Surrender to Me
“Allie?”
Stryker tips his head to one side, bringing me back to reality.
“I’m serious. I want to help you.”
“Thank you.”
His eyes narrow a little.
Noticing that I haven’t given him an actual answer? Just in case, I offer a distraction. “I appreciate you bringing me here.”
He nods, and his grin fades into a softer curve that makes my stomach flip. “As if you had any other choice.” His gaze lingers on me, warm and assessing, and my pulse becomes a traitorous rhythm I can’t control. Damn him and that look.
“Who are those men?”
“I don’t know.” That, at least, is the complete truth. I have guesses, but am I right?
He sighs. “When you’re ready to talk…”
I won’t be. Not ever. There’s too much at stake.
“You hungry?”
His question surprises me, but suddenly I realize I am. Since I worked on a project until late into the night, I don’t remember if I ate dinner.
Because he asked, I’m aware of a hollow, insistent gnaw deep inside, probably from the adrenaline dump. Now I’m a little shaky and empty.
Even though it’s still morning, it’s already been a hell of a day.
“Breakfast?” Without waiting for a reply, he shifts into motion, grabbing his phone like it’s the most natural thing in the world to take care of me. “I have a favorite place that delivers.” He shrugs. “Safer than risking a trip out right now.”
“You don’t have anything that we can make?”
He shakes his head. “As I said, I’ve been gone. Fridge and freezer need a restock.” He shrugs. “And so does the pantry. Noodles in there. Cans of soup. Things like that.”
“So no eggs? Bacon?”
“No.”
I sigh. “In that case, your restaurant sounds good. As long as you let me pay.”
“Not a chance.”
“Stryker…”
“Not open to argument. We can go hungry, or you can let me treat you to crème brûlée French toast with bourbon-vanilla drizzle and the fluffiest scrambled eggs you’ve ever tasted.”
Crème brûlée French toast with bourbon-vanilla drizzle?
Oh my God. It sounds like heaven, and suddenly I begin to salivate.
How does he know my weaknesses? Carbs and more carbs. Just enough protein to balance it out.
As if he knows he’s got me, he flashes a slow grin. “Bacon on the side?”
My betraying tummy rumbles.
“One bite of their special and you’ll believe in second chances.”
