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“Shell’s right. You are a dork. A perverted one, but a huge dork.” The smell of cinnamon and sugar was so strong, Zach could practically taste the deliciousness without anything ever hitting his tongue. After cutting a huge chunk, he stuffed it into his mouth and froze.
Maverick was right. It was the kind of tasty that would make you not give a shit that death was right around the corner. “This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten,” he said around the mouthful.
“Right?” Mav smiled and both men dug into their breakfasts as though it was the last they’d ever get. When there wasn’t so much as a drop of glaze left on either plate, Zach leaned against the back of the booth. “Think they’d care if I took a nap right here?”
Toni chose that moment to stroll on over, looking just as scrumptious as the food. “Nope, don’t mind. But we do charge by the hour for snoozing. It was good, I take it?” she asked, her beautiful bright green gaze shifting between Zach and Maverick.
Instead of answering, Maverick pushed out of the booth, slid one arm around Toni’s waist and cupped the back of her head with his other hand. “Marry me,” he said a fraction of a second before he dipped her, Hollywood style. Toni let out a squeak of surprise as Zach’s ex-best friend planted his lips right on hers.
Even though it was Mav. And even though it was all in good fun. And even though it meant jack shit. And even though she smacked his shoulder. And even though the entire purpose was to be a jokester and get under Zach’s skin, he grew angrier with each of the seven seconds that passed where Maverick was kissing Toni.
If it had gone on any longer, Zach would have been in danger of risking his patch, because he was a heartbeat away from ripping Mav’s limbs from his body. The asshole must have sensed how close he was to death—not that he would have really cared after eating the waffles—but he wised up and righted Toni.
When she had her wits about her, Maverick released her and sat back down in front of his empty plate.
“Um,” she said then laughed, bringing her hand up to her kiss swollen lips. “Guess you liked ’em.” Her face was flushed and her ponytail a bit mussed. After cutting her gaze to Zach she laughed again. This time long and loud.
The sound was amazing, full of joy, hilarity, and even surprise. Mav may be a scoundrel, but he’d made her laugh for real after what Zach knew was a royally shitty few weeks for her.
Mav joined in her laughter then gave a half assed apology for the loss of control, blaming the fact that all the blood in his body was zooming toward his stomach leaving none for his brain.
A not uncommon problem for Mav except the blood was usually a little lower than his abdominal region. Zach remained quiet, just enjoying Toni’s interaction with his brother. Enjoying it maybe a little too much. Because a woman who got on great with your friends? A woman who could roll with the punches, handle a rough and randy biker without batting an eye, and give as good as she got? Well that was the kind of woman who became an ol’ lady. Not a short-term fuck buddy.
And there was only one thing Zach was interested in. Who the hell needed an ol’ lady nagging, complaining, and distracting him from what was important?
“Everything okay?” Toni asked after Maverick scooted out of the booth and ambled toward the door. “You got kinda quiet after your friend, uh, kissed me.” Pink stole across her cheeks.
Zach leaned in close enough to smell the citrusy scent of whatever crap she used in her hair. “Baby,” he whispered against her ear, “if you thought that was a kiss, I can’t wait to see how you react when I show you what I bring to the table.”
With that parting shot, he tossed a generous stack of bills on the table, strolled out of the diner and mounted his bike. Unable to help himself, he glanced back at the building before riding off.
Toni stood in the window, fanning herself with a menu.
Mission accomplished.
She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. Now it was just a matter of getting her to admit it.
Chapter Nine
“Do you know what you’re keeping me from?” Zach asked about two point two seconds before his balled fist collided with the ugliest mug he’d ever seen.
With a groan, the banger crumpled to the ground.
Pussy.
He glared up at Zach, blood trickling from his lip, and raised his middle finger.
Christ, this ugly fucker didn’t have two brains cells rattling around in his empty skull.
He had a crooked nose. Not like broke-it-once-in-his-life crooked. But the kind of crooked that indicated someone smashed the hell out of his face a time or two. And his front teeth were missing. Guess pushing smack didn’t rake in enough cash to visit a fucking dentist. Plus, Zach was pretty sure his right eye was glass instead of flesh.
