AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let me guess,” she said. “Southern chicken tacos with a side of slaw?”
Ridge only grunted in response.
Lyla shook her head. “One of these days you’re going to try the rest of my food.”
“Why, so I can propose to you like him?” Ridge asked, motioning to Brad without even looking at him. Brad didn’t seem to care, too busy popping another sample into his mouth. I playfully smacked his hand away when he went for thirds.
Lyla batted her eyes at Ridge, folding her hands over her chest. “Oh, yes, that’s exactly what I live for. It’s why I became a chef, so I could seduce grumpy men like yourself into proposing to me. Would youpleaseput me out of my misery, Ridge?”
Wow, the sarcasm was strong with this one and I was so here for it.
I laughed, and so did Jim and Brad. Even Luna grinned, but Ridge didn’t even crack a smile. Still, something churned in those eyes of his, and Lyla shifted her weight just slightly, as if she was preparing for a sudden storm.
They held their charged stare down for a few more seconds before I couldn’t stand it a second longer.
“I’ll go grab your tacos,” I said to Ridge, hooking my arm through Lyla’s as we headed back to the kitchen.
“I have half a mind to skimp him on the slaw,” Lyla said as she gathered up his order.
I laughed again. “He’d only come back and demand more.”
“Insufferable,” she said. “You know he came in here two nights ago, saying I didn’t give him enough crema?”
“The nerve,” I said.
“Exactly.” She boxed up his order and handed it to me. “Would you please? I don’t have the energy for him tonight.”
“With pleasure,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile as she busied herself with the first incoming orders of the dinner rush.
“Here,” I said, handing Ridge his order. “Stop giving my friend a hard time.”
He narrowed his gaze on me, then nodded to Jim as he headed out without another word.
“Eloquent as always,” I said, and Jim laughed.
“That’s Ridge,” he said, shrugging. “Your friend already took off with the redhead,” he continued.
“That’s Luna,” I said. “She owns the vintage shop down the road. She’s the one who made my sister’s wedding dress.”
“Oh yeah,” Jim said. “I’ve been in there a couple times, she’s nice.” He shrugged. “I think Brad knew if he stood here a second longer, he’d eat all the samples, so he dragged Luna out of here.”
I plucked up a piece of the chocolate cake, and held it to Jim’s mouth. “I mean, can you blame him?” I asked.
Jim took the offered treat into his mouth, his lips wrapping around my fingers for a split second. The action had a thrill shooting straight down the middle of me, and suddenly working my shift was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Oh, damn,” he said after swallowing. “Yeah, I totally get it. I’m gonna go propose too.” He moved past me, and I grabbed his arm, gaping at him.
He laughed, the sound grazing my bones and making me shiver. “What, you said she was super nice.”
I playfully smacked his chest. “Jim Harlowe, don’t you dare play with my heart like that.”
He brought me in for a hug, nuzzling my neck like he needed all the attention in the world. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, then poised his lips at the shell of my ear. “Besides, who needs cake when I have that sweet pussy waiting for my mouth?”
Red hot liquid slid through my veins. How could the sweetest man on the earth have the absolutely dirtiest mouth? And why did it turn me into a puddle every single time?
“How am I supposed to work now?” I asked as he pulled away, all innocence and charm on his face.
“Find a way,” he said, winking at me. “I’ll see you at my place after?”
