Page 43 of Her Filthy Grump
When we get to the restaurant, he helps me out of the vehicle and lays his arm over my shoulders. “How was work?”
“I was busy. There’s never a dull moment at the café.” I wrap my arm around his waist and lean into his side. I inhale his cologne, and my knees wobble. “I even caught a sighting of Gertrude. The ducklings are growing up.”
He smirks. “Thanks to you. She almost lost a couple of them if you wouldn’t have intervened.”
“I knew you were a closet duck lover.” I giggle as he opens the door and waits behind me until I enter.
“You’re right. They were adorable, but not nearly as sexy as you.”
I roll my eyes. “You thought I was a pest.”
“No.” He stops and cups the back of my head, causing my body to heat from head to toe. Several tables of customers turn to stare, and my heart thuds in my chest. “I thought you were perfect, but I don’t believe in perfect, and it pissed me off.”
“No one’s perfect.” My voice is husky as if he’s stolen all the air in the room.
“I’m beginning to think you’re as close as someone can get.” His eyes bore into mine, and the butterflies roll in unison like a team of synchronized swimmers. Lord, I’m going to drown.
He leans back and drops his hand. “Let’s eat and dance, so we can get to the good stuff. I want to taste all of you at once.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Kameron
After the waitress takes our dessert order, I study Layla. She’s a stunning creature. Her auburn hair surrounds her face unless she’s swiping it back and tucking it behind her ears. Her hair is like the rest of her–free and open.
It’s like she doesn’t question the consequences. What does that feel like? Even sitting here with this gorgeous woman, I question what I’m doing. Is it a mistake to trust her? What happens if she proves to be no different than any other woman I’ve known? Can I pick up the pieces if she destroys me?
“Why did you become a firefighter?” She places her hands in her lap, and I fight the urge to knock the table over and grab them. Do I crave her touch that much? Yes, I do.
“When I graduated from high school, I needed something quick. I’d already been working three jobs while going to school, but they were mostly odd jobs or mowing. I didn’t have a nest egg to go to college, and even if I did, I wouldn’t have gone. I started working for a construction company doing the manual jobs that none of the older guys wanted to do.” I pick up my fork and tap it on the tablecloth.
Her eyes soften, but I’m not looking for her sympathy. “Must have been a lot of hard work.”
“It was, but it helped me grow stronger and paid good money. I was able to pay my rent and utilities and give my dad some money.” I straighten my back and crack my neck. “I’m proud of all the work I did growing up. I had to become a man at a young age. First, helping with my siblings when I still lived at home. Then, when I moved out and was working full-time, it was the same hours as my dad, so no one was home with the kids. I made sure someone was there to help them with their schoolwork and to get to bed on time.”
She stares in awe. “Wow. I can’t imagine. I had it so easy as an only child with my parents providing everything for me. I kind of feel like a leech at this point.”
“Don’t. Don’t feel bad for having a childhood most people should have.”
The waitress brings our dessert, and her eyes light up. “Yum. This looks delicious.” She takes a bite and groans, causing my dick to press against my zipper. “Although, I have no idea how I’m going to eat an entire piece of cake.” She clutches her stomach.
“You can save it for later. You’ll need your energy.” My voice is huskier than I intend, but when her eyes go dark, and she hitches her breath, I don’t regret it.
“Maybe I will.” She moves the plate of chocolate peanut butter cake a few inches away from her. I grab her hand as I’m not about to waste an opportunity to touch her, and she laces her fingers between mine. “That still doesn’t explain the firefighting.”
“After a couple of years, I was getting burnt out from all the heavy lifting and saw a friend from high school, Rich Anderson, he was working for the fire department and told me about an opening.” I shrug. “The rest is history.”
“It must have been nice working with a friend. Harbor and I worked together at the café all through high school and weekends in college. We had a blast together.”
Her face is wistful as she seems to drift off in her memories. Were there guys that chased after her in college? There had to have been.
The thought of another man touching her causes my free hand to ball into a fist. I unclench my fingers to keep from stabbing my nails into my palm–nothing like ruining a date with a trip to the ER for stitches.
“Things were good at the station for a long time.” I don’t want to talk about my ex. I run my finger over the back of her hand. When her pupils grow larger, adrenaline zips through my body, and I want to stroke all of her. “Are you ready for that dance?”
“Yes.” She licks her lips, and I nearly fall onto the floor and beg her to do it again. I crave all the good she has to give.
When I reach her side of the table, I grab her hand and pull her to her feet. I inhale the scent of chocolate, peanut butter, and vanilla, and then, I claim her mouth until she whimpers with desire. I don’t care if other people are watching us. I’m that desperate to have her.