Page 24 of Army
His scent wrapped around Mia and filled her senses. She turned around only to find him close behind with his gaze locked on hers. She wondered where on his body he’d put his cologne. Her eyes drifted to his chest—the outline of his taut muscles visible against the shirt, and she imagined dabbing some of the spicy-scented liquid lightly over his pecs, abs, and the sculpted V that she was positive he had. Touching him. Smelling him. Taking him in as she pressed her bare breasts against his delectable chest. Suddenly lightheaded, she swayed, and his powerful arm gripped her waist.
“Let me find a seat for you,” Army said.
“No … I’m okay. It’s just so crowded and stuffy in here.”
“Our table’s ready,” Taylor said as he approached them.
Thank God.Mia slid by Army and followed Taylor, making a mental note to ignore any sinfully delicious scents of sandalwood, tangy herbs, and spicy pepper emanating from him for the rest of the night.
Mia sat down at the square table and immediately placed her clutch on the chair to the right of her while tapping the empty place on the other side of her. “Come sit here, Taylor.” She gave a saccharin-sweet smile and a thread of satisfaction wove through her as Taylor edged out Army, then sat down.
The chair across from her scraped on the hardwood floor, and Army sank down, leaned back, and winked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting in a sly half-smile. “I like the view better from here.”
As they ordered their drinks, Mia was acutely aware of Army’s unwavering eyes on her, which she refused to acknowledge, hoping it would convince him that she wasn’t interested. By the time her Manhattan arrived, she’d talked nonstop to Taylor, and the confused look on his face made her feel like an idiot. Army was making her act like a pathetic girl rather than a strong and confident woman.Why am I so nervous? This is ridiculous. And where the fuck is Peyton?She glanced at her phone, cursing her friend for being so late.
“Peyton should be here at any moment.” She glanced quickly at Army then gripped the glass and took a deep drink in an attempt to quell the flutters in the pit of her stomach.
“So is Peyton my date?” Army asked.
Mia felt her throat constrict and panic seized her as she coughed and choked.
“Are you okay?” Taylor asked as concern laced his voice.
Not able to talk, she nodded and placed a napkin over her mouth. Diners at the table next to theirs stared at her, and the waiter rushed over.
“Can I help with anything?” he asked.
As she shook her head, all Mia wanted to do was slide down her chair and disappear. “I just swallowed wrong,” she managed to spit out. “It’s okay.” The whole time she was making a fool of herself, Army’s gaze remained steadfast.He’s infuriating!She dabbed the corners of her eyes with the napkin.
After a few seconds of silence, Army leaned forward and propped his elbows on the table. “You never answered me. Is Peyton my date for the night?”
“She wanted to meet you,” Taylor said, handing Mia his unused napkin. “You don’t date, remember?” he smiled weakly at Mia.
“So this is a date for her, but not for me. Is your friend cool with that, Stiletto?”
She wanted to slap the arrogant smile right off his face. “I’m only called Stiletto in the ring, and Peyton just wanted to meet up and have dinner with us.” She took a small sip of water.
A low chuckle escaped Army’s lips before he took a mouthful of his drink. “Then it’s a hookup.” He studied her over the rim of the glass. “Right?”
His words goaded her.The bastard’s enjoying this.Mia lifted her chin and met his intense gaze. “It’s whatever you want to call it.”
They stared at each other until Taylor cleared his throat. “Uh … to me, it’s just friends—Mia and me—getting together with my brother and her friend. I can get to know Peyton and so can you.” He lifted his chin at Army.
“And”—Army ran his finger up and down the side of the glass then threw back the whiskey—“Stiletto and I can get to know each other as well.”
“I already know one thing about you,” Mia said, gesturing to the waiter for another drink. “You don’t listen. I told you, Stiletto’s my ring name only.”
“I listen just fine,sweetheart. Stiletto suits you better—slender and lethal, like the knife.” His gaze drifted to her lips.
“Sorry, I’m late,” Peyton said, breaking the intensity between Army and Mia. She put Mia’s clutch on the table then sat down. “Have you ordered yet?”
From the slight tremor in Peyton’s voice, Mia knew she was nervous as hell. “Just our drinks.” She nodded at Taylor. “You remember Taylor,” she said. “And his brother, Army.”
Shifting his eyes to Peyton’s face, he tilted his head then looked back at Mia.
“This is going to be so fun,” Mia lied as she picked up the menu. “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m starving.” She looked down at the selections, ignoring the insane chemistry crackling between her and Army.
“What do you recommend?” Army asked.
