Page 20 of Diesel's Perseverance
A cute hostess with dark hair down to her waist smiled widely at Diesel the minute he walked into the restaurant, then threw a cursory glance at Myla.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been in here,” she said, fawning all over him.
“You’re looking good.” His voice was husky.
Stomach hardening, Myla turned away and looked around for the restroom. Spotting one, she tapped Diesel on the shoulder, told him she’d meet him at the table, and walked away. She stood inside the lounge area and stared into the mirror.Why do I feel like pulling the hostess’s hair from the root? Why do I care that she’s flirting with Diesel,andhe’s flirting back?She inhaled a deep breath and released it slowly.Keep it together. He’s in an outlaw club, he’s got a ton of women at his beck and call,andhe’s Freddy’s brother. His damn brother. Keep. It. Together.
Myla pulled out a brush from her purse and ran it through her dark brown hair. The long, straight strands and the toffee highlights glistened under the recessed lights. The single crystal stud in her right nostril shone under the artificial light. After swiping on a little more pink lipstick, she snapped shut her small black purse and hurried out into the restaurant.
“I thought you got lost,” Diesel said as she approached the table. He stood up, stepped around the table, and pulled out a chair.
“Thank you,” she murmured, sitting down.
“What do you want to drink?” he asked, handing her the menu and motioning to the waiter.
“What are you having?”
“Whiskey.”
“That’s too strong for me. I’ll have a glass of chardonnay, please.”
Diesel gave the order to the waiter and then looked down at the menu. The early evening sun bathed his face in gold, showcasing his chiseled features: a perfectly square-shaped face, strong jawline, and a straight nose. Myla glanced away for fear of being caught staring at him again.
“This is a nice place. The scenery is beautiful. The mountains are all around, and the blooming wildflowers are gorgeous. I guess it’s pretty everywhere in Pinewood Springs since this is a mountain town.”Okay, now you’re just babbling. Why are you so nervous?
Diesel laughed.
“What would you suggest I try for dinner?” Myla took a large gulp of white wine.
“The pork and beef ribs are awesome. If you like hot stuff, then the spicy links and habanero barbecue ribs kick ass.”
She smiled. “You surprise me.”
“How?”
“You come off as a real rough badass, but then you pull out my chair. I’ve never had a guy pull out a chair for me.”
Diesel put down his menu and stared at her. “Freddy never did it?”
“No,” she said softly.
“Once I find him, I’m gonna kick his ass. He knows better. My old man was a fuckin’ hypocrite, but he taught us to always treat a lady respectfully.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Did Freddy respect you?”
Images from the early days of their relationship spun through her mind like a carousel, then the last fight they had crashed through the happy memories. No way would she tell Diesel that his younger brother had beaten the crap out of her. There was no reason for him to know that.
“He was okay. The beginning was great, but he changed after starting the clinics. I told you he was obsessed with the idea of me cheating on him, which I never did. I think Freddy kept it up because he felt guilty about stepping out on me.”
Diesel gazed at her over the rim of his glass as he took a sip. She couldn’t help but notice his full lips.
“He cheated on you?” he asked, placing the empty glass on the table.
“Yeah. Once he started making big money, it seemed like he got bored with our life and became increasingly restless. He craved the excitement of living in the fast lane. Variety became his mantra in his cars, clothes, and women.”
“Just like our parents. Our old man had a woman at every truck stop, and our mom used to step out with this asshole on the weekends. Fuck, I hated that jerk. I caught my mom with him when I was in high school. I was out with this chick, and I bumped—literally—right into them. I was so pissed off I almost killed Jack. My mom was crying and screaming, and it took five guys to pull me off him. It felt so good to bash in his damn face.” He picked up the beer bottle and took a long pull. “When my old man would get home after a three-week run, my parents acted like the perfect married couple. Fuckin’ hypocrites. Anyway, Freddy got that shit from our people.”
