Page 23 of Breach of Honor

As predicted, the line inside was to the door. Miranda, in her nude stilettos, drew some attention, but I didn’t expect anything less. I kept her close, kissing her temple often. When she turned in my arms for a real kiss, I went weak in the knees. Her unapologetic attitude turned me on even more than out at the car.

Our turn arrived and Miranda approached the counter, holding my hand. “I’ll have a number one Animal Style with cheese fries and a chocolate shake.”

“Animal Style?” I furrowed my brow, searching the menu. “I don’t see it.”

She turned in my arms, placing her hand on my chest.“William St. Jamesthe third,” she whispered, her lips touching the shell of my ear. “If I want Animal Style, they better damn well figure out how to give me what I want.”

A shiver shot down my back at the sound of her demanding tone. “But—”

She tossed her head back and giggled, turning back to the counter. “He doesn’t get out much.”

The kid taking our order raised his eyebrows. I was ready to defend her if the twerp said anything to upset her. Instead, they both laughed, knowing glances passing between them. An inside joke, maybe? I sort of felt stupid with the long-ass line behind us, but I kept my cool to see how this played out.

“Make the same for my boyfriend.” Miranda gasped, putting her hand over her mouth with wide eyes and a red face. She quickly corrected herself. “I mean my friend.”

I smirked at the young dude helping us. Miranda was so damn cute. I didn’t mind the slipup. I kind of liked the sound of it.Boyfriend.

“Right,” the kid said, chuckling.

I paid the bill, and we took a seat in a corner booth. Miranda slid in, and I sat beside her. Worry spread across her face. I could tell she was going to apologize again, and I didn’t want her to. Before she could say anything, I covered her mouth and kissed the hell out of her.

“Don’t apologize,” I said, releasing her lips. “The burger, Animal Style, what’s up with that?”

“It’s on the secret menu. You’ve lived here your whole life, right?”

“Yes.”

“How do you not know about the secret menu?”

“Because this is like my third time here, maybe fourth.”

She gaped.

“It’s not that weird. We just rarely ate fast food.”

“But this is In-N-Out.”

I shrugged.

“Well, I hope you like what I ordered you.”

“And if I don’t? How do you plan to make it up to me?”

She flashed a sexy smile, leaning into me with a hand on my chest. “I can make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

I roared with laughter. “I’d rather you kiss me.”

And she obliged, kissing me until our number was called.

As we ate our messy burgers, Miranda educated me on In-N-Out. The burger and cheese fries were tasty. And the shake was so thick I took a great deal of pleasure watching Miranda suck on the straw.

After we stuffed our faces, we headed back to my place. Miranda had quieted the closer we got to my house. If I had to guess, it was the location that kept her silent. And maybe the price of homes.

Unlike the few women I brought home, she didn’t gush over it. Instead, she took it all in slowly, wearing an unreadable expression that scared the shit out of me. Gone was the playful, flirty woman I was falling for. I felt the distinct change in her acutely, from eating Animal Style burgers to entering my home.

It made my heart crash against my chest in one frantic thump after another.

I needed to know what was going on in her head.

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