Page 93 of But For You

“Ooh.” Hannah was pleased. “Do it again, Daddy. Your whole body shook.”

I was about to be murdered, and she wanted the man to keep snarling?

“What’s going on?” Duncan asked as Aaron joined us, stepping into the circle we’d made.

“Hey.” I beamed at Duncan. “I hope you don’t mind us being six for dinner.”

He turned and looked at Aaron. “Oh … no, I just … fine.”

Aaron’s eyes swept over Duncan Stiel in that appraising way he had where he missed nothing. He took in the wide shoulders and broad chest that tapered to a narrow waist. He saw the long, muscular legs straining against denim. All of the detective was mapped and categorized—the gray eyes, light-blond hair, and big, capable hands. I saw Aaron take a breath and go still like he never was. He liked smaller men, like me, it was true, but I had always suspected that he could do with some manhandling himself. I also had an inkling that Duncan Stiel had a bit of the submissive in him. It was fun to watch Sam’s friend take a quick breath and to see mine lick his lips when their eyes locked.

“Oh God,” Sam groaned under his breath.

“Duncan, did you reserve us a table?” I asked cheerfully.

“I did,” he assured me and pointed toward the back of the restaurant. It was nice when his hand went immediately to Aaron’s back to direct him.

I knew right then that Duncan had no clue who Aaron was, and Aaron, on the rare occasions when that happened, was absolutely thrilled.

At dinner, I watched Duncan order, saw him drape an arm over the back of Aaron’s chair, and noticed the man who I had never seen flustered smile nervously and fiddle with his drink napkin.

Sam was surprised.

Hannah regaled everyone with tales of the waterslide at the resort in Phoenix, and Kola showed off his cast and told the story of what had happened. Aaron asked if I had a lawyer. Duncan asked Sam if he wanted him to go with him to “talk” to Mr. Parker. What was nice was that they both offered so quickly.

When the appetizers came—cheesy bread for the kids, stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta for the adults—Duncan leaned close to Aaron and told him that he was in for a treat because it was so good.

Sam opened his mouth to explain to Duncan who Aaron was and that he probably would not be impressed, but Aaron beat him to the punch.

“I’m sure I’ll love it.”

Duncan asked if he wanted another drink, and when Aaron thanked him, I saw him shift in his chair and knew what that meant. I dropped my napkin to confirm.

Under the table, there were thighs touching, knees pressing, and … oh, yes, Houston, we had liftoff.

I would always be the love god.

It was fun, later, to turn and watch them—my clueless blind daters—standing together in front of the restaurant, under the awning, as we walked away. Aaron had offered to give Duncan a lift home, and the detective had agreed. I hoped that Sam’s buddy would ask mine in when they reached his place or that Aaron would just have his driver take them home. It didn’t matter where they went; I just wanted them together. But I was done—I had put the ball in play; it was in their court now.

The hand on the back of my neck made me smile.

“Bad Jory. Naughty.”

“Awww, but they were so cute.”

“Can we eat dinner now?” Kola whined. “That meat was gross, the potatoes were disgusting, and I have never seen broccoli that big.”

“It was humungalous,” Hannah agreed, holding my hand. Kola was on Sam’s back now. “They were like trees, Pa.”

“Fine,” I relented. “I’ll make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when we get home.”

“Can I have one too?” Sam wanted to know.

Apparently, froufrou food was lost on my people.

Back at the loft, we found that Chilly had completely eviscerated a throw pillow. He was still pouncing on the poor thing and did his frozen-statue impression when Sam yelled.

“He can still see you.” Hannah wrinkled her little nose at her cat. “Chilly and Pa are both naughty.”