Page 71 of Animal's Reformation
Taking her time to answer, she held his gaze then leaned forward with her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands. “Because I like you. You’re not at all like the bikers I knew back home. I love the way you care about Lucy and her education.”
“Is that the only thing you like about me?” Animal’s mouth tugged up at the corners, his ebony eyes watching her steadily.
Olivia felt her cheeks grow warm as memories of his kisses and his body pressed against hers rushed through her mind. Thinking about it made her grow hot all over.
“Well?” The faint smile hovering on his lips sent shivers right to her core.
“There might be some other things I like about you,” she replied, looking down at her plate.
Animal let out a deep laugh. “There’s a lot I like about you, and I don’t say that to many women.” He pushed his empty plate away. “As a matter of fact, I don’t say it at all.” He rose up from the chair and stood next to her.
Olivia sat transfixed, watching him as he wrapped strands of her hair in his hand then tipped her head back.
“You do something to me, woman,” he said, his voice low and sexy. His eyes zeroed in on her lips as he bent his head down.
Olivia’s mind told her to pull away, but she didn’t budge; there was no way in hell she was going to stop him. His lips pressed against hers, soft and tender, and she raised her arms and entwined them around his neck, pulling him closer. The kiss deepened. Someone at a nearby table coughed loudly, but Olivia simply tightened her grip and he slipped his tongue between her lips, which she met with her own. The world dissolved around her and it was only the two of them, pressed together, sharing so much more than this one kiss.
Flicks of desire swirled inside her, burning her body, stimulating every nerve ending. A small moan rose up from her chest, and he slowly pulled up, his gaze smoldering with unsated lust.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, his voice husky.
With her body still throbbing in places she didn’t even know existed, Olivia nodded and sank back in her chair. She watched him swagger away, his firm ass moving oh-so-right, and noticed how several women gave him a double-take when he passed their tables.
What’s wrong with you? You’re doing exactly what you weren’t supposed to.No … she couldn’t be trusted with him. Her body misbehaved in the most deliciously wrong way.But is it wrong if it feels so good … soright?Animal was unlike any man she’d ever known, and even though she knew he wanted to sleep with her, Olivia didn’t feel like that was the only thing he wanted from her. None of the men who’d littered her past gave a shit about whoshewas—they only cared about having sex like … all the damn time. They’d all been shallow and she’d been sucked into their world because of her damn neediness to have a man pay attention to her. But Animal seemed different.
“Do you want another drink?”
His deep voice startled her out of her thoughts. “If you want.”Stop psychoanalyzing yourself. You’re having a great time with him, and it’s been a long time since you’ve been with a man.
“I thought we’d go to Jimbo’s for some drinks and dancing. They got a cover band on Saturdays.”
“I’d love that.” Olivia couldn’t remember the last time she went dancing while on a date. Kory wasn’t into music, and the guy before that, Nathan Rogers, didn’t like to dance.Nathan. She hadn’t thought of the police officer in quite a while. Every once in a while she’d see him drive by Slavens, but he didn’t stalk her with the frequency he had before she moved into her home.He probably found himself a girlfriend.Olivia shuddered at the memory of going out with the possessive, overzealous cop.
Animal paid the bill and grasped Olivia’s hand as he guided her out of the restaurant. Bright stars sprinkled the inky sky and there was a slight chill in the air. He slipped his arm around her shoulders, drawing her close, and she rested her head against him. Two electronic beeps rang out and the car’s headlights flashed as they approached his SUV. Opening the passenger door, Animal helped Olivia into the car then walked over to the driver’s side and slid into the seat. He leaned sideways and brushed his lips against hers in a light kiss. Then, without a word, he sat up and turned on the ignition, gripped the steering wheel, then threw the SUV into gear and drove out of the lot.
Jimbo’s was on the other side of town, and when they arrived, the place heaved with people. Animal held her close to him as he pushed their way through the labyrinth of patrons and tables until they reached the counter.
“Dude!” A bartender with a shaved head, full sleeve tattoos on both arms, pierced brows and nose, and a plug in each ear grinned from ear-to-ear.
“Titus,” Animal said, high-fiving him.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Titus poured a glass of dark beer and set it in front of Animal. “What does your girl want?”
Animal leaned into Olivia. “What’re you drinking?” he said in her ear.
His warm breath fanned over her neck and a single shiver rode down her spine straight to her core. “A vodka cranberry.”
“Cran vodka,” Animal said, and Titus nodded.
“You must be a regular,” she said to Animal.
“Yeah—some of the brothers and I like coming here to listen to the live music. One of the brothers—Gopher—has a sister who’s in a local band. She’s a great fucking lead guitarist.”
“Is that who’s playing tonight?”
“No—tonight’s a cover band. Leila’s band plays original music. They’re real good. Do you like metal and hard rock?”
“I love them both.”
