Page 21 of Meet Me in the Penalty Box

“Perfect.” Alaina grinned. “I’ll be right back with your drinks. Would you like to put in an appetizer or anything?”

I glanced at Nico and shook my head. He didn’t take his eyes away from mine.

“We’re good,” he told her, still with his gaze cemented to mine.

Alaina left with the promise of returning soon with our drinks. Nico was still looking at me and I squirmed in my seat, feeling like he was assessing every inch of me with his blue eyes.

“Before she came—what was that?”

I raised an eyebrow, knowing damn well what he was talking about. “It was nothing,” I told him, the lie tasting bitter on my tongue.

“Don’t lie to me, pretty girl,” he mused. “You don’t want to find out what happens if you misbehave.” He ran his own tongue over the cut on his bottom lip again. “Or maybe you do.”

My mouth was instantly dry and I tore my gaze from his as I reached for the decanter. My hand shook as I filled my glass in a haste and swallowed some of the water in a rush.

“Try again, Harper.”

I turned back to look at him. “I was wondering who you came here with before, considering it is such an intimate setting.”

His eyes glimmered under the chandelier. “Why is that?”

“Because I would assume it wasn’t just a friend.”

“Are you jealous, Harper Jensen?” he challenged me.

I glowered at him. “How do you know my last name?”

“I have my ways,” he responded with a sly grin. “Now answer my question.”

“I’m not jealous,” I told him, although my voice sounded far from convincing.

He cocked his head to the side as he positioned his arm across the back of the bench seat. “Then ask me who I came here with.”

My heart pounded in my chest and my nostrils flared as he challenged me with his gaze. I didn’t want to ask him, but he already had me cornered. A part of me wanted to know. I never once considered the fact that maybe he was seeing someone. I should have turned him down in the parking lot. I shouldn’t be here with him.

“Ask me.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling the jealousy already seeping into my veins. “Who did you come here with?”

Nico smiled as Alaina returned with our drinks. “My sister, Giana.” She disappeared without another word, clearly reading the room, and I was thankful for that.

My face instantly heated and embarrassment swept over me. I looked away from him, but Nico slid his hand under my chin and pulled my face back to look at him. His eyes danced under the lights and he leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered. “I like you jealous.”

He slowly pulled away and grabbed his drink. I watched how his lips kissed the rim of the glass and the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed the liquor. I followed suit, taking a sip of mine as I needed the liquid courage. His thigh was now pressed against mine and I wanted him closer.

“Tell me about you, Harper. What makes you smile. What pisses you off.”

Alaina returned, thankfully saving me from having to provide Nico with an answer. She took both of our orders, and I had barely even looked over my menu and ordered a pasta dish on the spot as she stood by our booth, patiently waiting. As she walked away, Nico turned his attention back to me.

“Why do you want to know?”

“Because I want to know.” His eyes were bright as his smile reached them. “I want to know how to keep that beautiful smile on your lips. I want to know what to avoid so I don’t ever piss you off… unless I’m intentionally trying to.”

I stared at him for a moment. “I don’t know why you’ve taken such an interest in me. We had one night together—barely, if we’re being honest. You could have anyone you want, yet you’re chasing after the one you can’t have.”

“See, that’s the thing, love,” Nico said slowly, his voice barely audible. “You say I can’t have you, but that’s where you’re wrong. I can have you anywhere I want.” His hand was on my thigh. I could feel the warmth of his palm through my leggings. My heart was skipping beats. “I promise no one will ever know. I would never jeopardize your job or anything in your life.”

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