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She wouldn’t have put it past him that he’d chosen that particular soap knowing how enticing the lingering scent would be.
Monster.
“Don’t tell her that,” he whispered. “I think Maria wants to keep us in these seats for a while.”
“Why?”
“Because if we’re in here,” he said, “she can refuse seating to the big groups who keep popping in.”
“Oh?”
“She wants to clean up and go home early today to watch baseball or something.”
“Ah.” Valerie started to sit back, but Tim slipped his fingers around her neck and gently held her in place. His breath tickled her ear and his proximity made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
Her instinct was to reach for them and to rub them down, but he stopped her from doing that, too. He had one hand at her throat, the other steering her hand back down to her thigh.
She didn’t dare move.
He was pushing those buttons again, expertly operating her without the benefit of instruction. Knowing how to manage her.
How?
“You didn’t say hello to me, pretty girl,” he whispered.
She dragged her tongue across her dry lips and pressed her free hand to his fingers against her throat. If he pressed a little harder—stole a little of her breath—he could push her into that headspace where everything was wonderful and everything felt so good.
But he wasn’t her dom, and she didn’t intend to let him become that. They were just playing a little, and that had to be enough.
She slipped her fingers beneath his and gave them a squeeze. “I’m sorry. I didn’t intend to be rude.”
“So tell me hello.”
“Hello, Tim.”
“Hello, Valerie.”
The low rumble of his voice churned her libido like a propeller in still water.
She decided it was a very good thing that she’d chosen such a public place, even if they were the only ones in the back room at the moment.
He sat back right as Maria Lucia rounded the doorway into the room carrying two small ceramic crocks.
Valerie prayed the old woman didn’t call her out for her burning cheeks and probable wide-eyed expression.
Maria Lucia set a serving of soup in front of each of them along with spoons. “I’m clearing out what’s left. Don’t order nothin’. I’ll take care of you.” She shuffled away without another word.
Valerie swallowed hard and forced her gaze up to Tim. “What’d you do to earn such special treatment from the mean meatball mama?”
“I know folks.” He said it so matter-of-factly and without a bit of humor. That intense blue gaze didn’t seem at all cheerful.
Maybe he’s just tired?
“When I take the boat out on longer trips,” he said, “I usually come here and load up a cooler.”
“Ah. So, she’s who you get your salami from. No wonder I liked it so much.”
“Mm-hmm. And her sister is my housekeeper.”
