Page 78 of Animal's Reformation
“She told you that? I figured she liked going out with my sister, but she’s never told me that. I’m glad Jada loves to shop ’cause I wouldn’t know what the hell to do at the mall with Lucy.”
Olivia smiled and tossed her hair over her shoulders. “If Jada can’t make it sometime, I’d be happy to take Lucy to the mall. I love to shop, so it would be a pleasure.”
A funny look crossed his face and Olivia froze, wishing she could take back the words.Why the hell did I say that? It’s like I’m trying to throw myself into his family. Great move.Not.
Animal nodded then picked up the glass of orange juice and took a drink. For a long while, they ate in silence but for the clatter and scrape of silverware against yellow stoneware plates. Olivia concentrated on the sounds filtering through the open window: a train passing by in the distance, children laughing, birds singing, dogs barking. She glanced over at Animal, who had his head down as he scrolled through his phone.
She cleared her throat, set her knife and fork down on her plate, and asked him what model his motorcycle was; being around bikers her whole life, she knew none of them could resist talking about their babies.
Animal’s head popped up and a grin spread across his face before he launched into a discussion of best and worst models and years for Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The ice had been broken, and Olivia let out a sigh of relief as she listened intently to him.
After their meal was long over, she stood up from her chair and gathered the empty plates from the table and walked over to the sink.
“Let me help you,” he said, carrying the rest of the dishes to the counter.
“Thanks, but I can handle the cleanup on my own.” She rinsed the plates and giggled. “The dishwasher is going to do all the work.”
Animal dipped his head down and kissed her softly. “Thanks for the food.” His hand slipped down to her butt and he squeezed it gently. “When you’re finished we can have some fun before I have to pick up Lucy.”
Her body hummed with arousal caused by the heat radiating from him. She wiped her hands with a dish towel then pivoted toward him, entwined her arms around his neck, and kissed him hard. “I’d love that,” she murmured against his lips before pulling away.
“Are you sure you don’t want me help you stack the dishwasher?”
“I’m sure. Just go into the living room and make yourself comfortable. I’ll be done in bit.”
“Do you have a computer I can use? I wanted to look something up and I hate searching shit on my phone.”
Olivia giggled. “I know what you mean. I prefer a larger screen and my phone is so painfully slow sometimes that it drives me crazy. You can use the laptop on the desk in the corner of the room.”
“Thanks, babe.” Another playful swat to her ass then Animal walked out of the room.
A huge grin crossed her face as a warm and cozy feeling spread through her. If Kory or any of the other guys she’d dated had smacked her butt, she’d been infuriated and insulted, but with Animal it was different. It wasn’t like he was trying to demean her or show her he was the superior one in their dynamic. Unlike Kory, Animal didn’t judge her or try and belittle her; he was just so different from all the others, that part of her kept thinking there had to be a catch.
“What the fuck?” Animal yelled.
Olivia closed the door to the dishwasher, dried her hands, and hurried into the next room.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. The anger plastered all over his face stopped her in her tracks. His look went through her with an icy blow, and she stood there wringing her hands.
“Why the fuck do you have a profile on this bullshit site—Discreet Passion?” he asked his eyes narrowed and flashing.
Relief washed over her and she laughed softly. “That’s research for my psych paper, and why’re you snooping on my computer?”
His lips turned downward. “I’m notsnooping. This shit came up when I clicked on.”
Olivia tilted her head back slightly. “That’s right—I forgot to close the window when I logged off yesterday.” She smiled and walked over to him and placed her hands on his shoulders, kneading them. “Sorry for accusing you of being a snoop.”
Animal reached up and grasped her hands bringing them both to his mouth and kissing them. “So, this is forschool? You’re not looking for a dude online?”
“Hell no. I’m not into that, and anyway, I had a moratorium on dating after a ridiculous breakup a while back.” She bent down and kissed his cheek. “You’re the one who broke my no-dating streak.”
“What can I say? I’m fucking irresistible.” He chuckled when she smacked him lightly on the arm.
Actually he is, but he’s confident enough without me telling him that.
“So what made you pick this site?” he asked, scrolling through her profile.
“My friend recommended it. She’s on it for real. You act like you know it, so I should be asking what the hell areyoudoing on the site?”
