Page 55 of The Rogues

“It’s true. I’m going to order the entire menu.”

I laugh and unfold my menu. A few moments go by of me looking over the options before my phone buzzes in my pocket. I’m looking at an option for grilled eggplant when I open a text from an unknown number.

There, on my phone, is a half-naked picture. I can only see from the lips down, the mirror obstructing the person’s face from the flash of the camera, but I know who it is. Cocky grin, crop top slanted, the same abs I was just ogling five minutes ago glowing on my screen.

And then there’s that rose tattoo, peeking out from the “v” mark traveling into Jamie’s sweats.

I gasp and straighten in my chair, pretending that I wasn’t just looking at something inappropriate under the table. Is it really considered inappropriate if it’s a picture of the outfit I just saw him wearing in a crowded room? Probably not, but it feels borderline improper, especially with the way it causes heat to rise over every part of my body.

Jamie: You said anytime.

I scoff, a flush forming quickly and embarrassingly. When I said whenever, I didn’t think he would text in five minutes.

Not that I’m complaining, because holy shit.

Another text comes through.

Jamie: Do you like what you see, little flower?

I gulp. Oh gosh, I really hope my scent doesn’t spill out so much that my friends think a waiter dropped an entire tray of champagne flutes.

My fingers fly over the keyboard.

Josie: I did.

Josie: Was your goal to make me blush in front of my friends, or?

Jamie: Happy accident.

I bite my lip, unable to stop the fluttering in my stomach. Well, due to the stress of my location, they feel more like birds flapping around in there, not graceful butterflies.

Still, I’m a glutton for punishment, because…

Josie: Do you have any more?

Dots instantly appear.

Jamie: Are you asking me for nudes, Petal?

Fuck. I think I am.

Josie: If you have any.

Another comes through and I drop my phone from the mere glimpse of it. Lark and Nicola snap their heads to me, confusion written over their faces.

“Are you okay, Jo?” Nicola asks.

I nod. “I’m just hungry, I think. Dehydrated.”

After I make a show of gulping down some of my water, I reach to pick up my phone, the photo still pulled up. It’s gorgeous. All the hard lines and ridges on Jamie’s lean body are enough to send me into a frenzy. I know I asked for nudes, but seeing his hand wrapped around his dark cock, the rose tattoo peeking out from behind it, does things to my body that I don’t care to admit. I am nearly salivating in my seat, my scent almost certainly trying to spill out for the world to know of my shame.

Except, I don’t feel any shame. I feel pure arousal, and my stomach makes flips that could rival a gold medal gymnast.

I send him the melting emoji because I don’t have any words. The waiter shows up to take our order; I choose the grilled eggplant even though I don’t like Parmesan because I can’t waste any more time pretending I am reading this menu. After getting some bread in my system and trying to calm down my racing heart, Jamie’s response comes through.

Jamie: Can I come see you later?

I sneak a peek at the text, my heart beating faster at the idea. I look up at my friends. They are actively engaged in a conversation about a famous music store nearby, so I pull my phone out.