Still, I had to show her I was there for her in whatever capacity that meant.
And tonight, it meant sitting in a booth alone while she worked.
Greatest show of my life.
She didn’t wear anything overtly revealing, but she was all the degrees and shades of sexy just being herself. Her jeans were made for those curves. Wide, grabbable hips. A firm, round ass. Tits that were perfect handfuls. Plus, she was damned gorgeous. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun tonight. Tendrils of flyaway hairs got in her face once in a while, and she blew them away or fanned at them like they were pests.
Fascinating.
“You have to order something, or it’s just creepy.” She came over and sat next to me in the booth. Her thigh brushed mine, making me instantly hard. I took the cue and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Tell me what’s delicious here?” I whispered in her ear.
Her perfume wafted up toward me and if she wasn’t on the job, she’d be on the nearest flat surface and underneath me in seconds. Plus, I was a gentleman. For now.
Her scent was all vanilla and spice and cheesecake tonight. Entirely too tempting.
“You’ve had the burgers and fries,” she said, turning to look at me. Our lips were mere inches apart.
So I did what any warm-blooded shifter would do. Or at least a gentlemanly one. “Can I kiss you?”
“I’m at work,” her words said, but her blush told me otherwise.
“Later, then.”
“How long are you planning on staying?”
I shrugged. “Long enough to spend some time with you. You closing tonight?”
“Yes, but, James…”
I purred at the way she said my name. I would bet anything she was flooded with slick. She was right, though. This wasn’t the time. “But James nothing. I’m staying and helping you close. How about the…” I eyed the menu. “The nachos and the jalapeno poppers. Dr Pepper float, too.”
“All of that?” She smiled at me.
“I’m a growing boy.” I sighed. My body was a sore spot for me. “Maybe I shouldn’t. I could stand to lose a few pounds.”
“What?” she exclaimed. “Don’t say that.”
I shrugged. “It’s true.”
“No, it’s not. I… Let’s talk about this later.”
At least she was finally on the later train. “Deal.”
For the rest of the night, I stood guard over my female. I didn’t mind the flirting and the looks she got because as much as my gaze was glued on her, hers was glued to me.
Until I saw something I couldn’t look away from.
While she was serving beer to a table of rowdy males, human males, one of them took the liberty of reaching out and touching what was mine.
Without considering the consequences or even caring, I got up from the booth. Romi moved aside and crossed her arms over her chest as though me getting up to kick this guy’s balls into his throat was something she expected all along.
Maybe she did.
I didn’t speak. The slimeball already knew what he’d done. “She’s just a waitress, man,” he said as his legs dangled in the air. His friends didn’t get up or try to help him. No honor among thieves or assholes.
“She’s not just a waitress. She’s mine. Even if she wasn’t, you don’t put your hands on women unless you have permission.”
“Fine. Fine. I won’t do it again.”
