Page 83 of Bend
And there it was—the first hint of what was going down. She’d find out next week anyway.
Her expression was priceless—wide-eyed horror. It shocked me to see, because she was smart. How could she not see the writing on the wall? We were done as business partners.
“You think I’m afraid of you?” Her hand shooed at me. “Crawl on back to your mommy’s house.”
I stood up and faced her full on, every muscle tight. I was ready to fucking hit her, and there was no one to hold me back or calm me down—though Shone stood, moving to stand between us.
“Say another fucking word about my mom, bitch.”
“What? What will you do, dickwad?”
I’d become so lost in the blazing anger that I didn’t notice the surge of lust that suddenly pumped through me. It wasn’t until a scream echoed off the walls that my vision cleared and I saw Hope at their table.
“Oops,” she said, picking up a now-empty cup of soda.
“You idiot!” Monica’s screech could be heard blocks away.
“I’m sorry.” Hope remained calm and collected, nothing like when she was near me. A glance my way with a small smile was all I needed to understand she’d done it on purpose.
It was the first sign she’d given me to show she was interested in me for more than the strange, overpowering attraction between us.
Chapter 6
The manager came out and asked us to either calm down or leave. There was no way in hell I was leaving, and Monica didn’t back down either. Instead, in her soaking wet clothes, she finally stopped talking and sat back down. She and Shone stayed on their side and left me alone.
Peace at last.
Well, as close as I would get to peace with the fire that ripped through me every time Hope came back in the room. Serving more tables meant she swung by more, and the lust was compounded with each pass. All control was fast slipping from me—I wanted to tear her apart. My muscles flexed, begging to touch her, consume her and burn together. I wanted to take her on the floor right there in front of Monica.
“How’s your wrap?” She tipped the water pitcher in her hand, refilling my glass.
I finished up my bite and stared into her blue eyes, another shiver running through me, cock twitching. “I didn’t come here for the food, but the wrap is good.”
Her hand tightened around the handle, lip caught between her teeth again as she shook her head. “Stop.”
I grabbed hold of the pitcher, afraid of what I would do if I touched her skin. “I wouldn’t even if I could.”
She gave me one last look before turning and walking away. Something inside me got angry every time she left, but at the same time, I loved to watch her body move. Each stride of her long legs begged me to follow.
After she refilled my water and I paid the bill, I figured I’d worn out my welcome for the day, especially by the glares I got from the manager. There was always tomorrow. As I exited the bathroom, ready to jump into my car, her melodic voice filled my ears.
“Mac, I’m going to take a break. Table two has their check.”
She walked past the restroom alcove and out the back door. My cock twitched as I stood there, deciding what to do. Truth be told, there was no decision. I’d already started following her.
I knew what I wanted to do, what I needed. The devil was winning again, because I was going to get it.
She’d reached the edge of the building by the time I got out the door, my pace even, measured, letting the thirst for her fill me. When I rounded the corner, she was leaning against the brick wall, looking down at her phone and typing away.
She shivered, her gaze lifting to me, lips parting. “What are you doing back here?”
I stopped a few feet in front of her. “Are you saying I can’t be back here?”
Her gaze flitted around, trying not to look at me as she squeezed her phone. “No, but you should leave.”
The nervousness radiating from her only fueled the energy moving in waves between us.
“I was walking to my car, but I felt you calling to me.” I step forward and caged her with my arms. The vibration, the desire-filled excitement, skyrocketed.
