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Our over-eager, dipshit of a waiter comes back with our food. He plops my plate down in front of me, then slowly places Lucy’s meal down on the table.
“Careful,” he tells her, his eyes staring a little too intensely for my taste. “It’shot.”
A growl rumbles up from the very depths of my being, and both Lucy and our waiter turn their attention to me. “Leave,” I snarl, my voice sounding feral. The man audibly gulps and backs away, wisely spinning on his heel and scampering away.
My eyes land on Lucy, who is barely containing her grin. “I think he might have peed his pants,” she whispers conspiratorially.
I grin and lean back in my chair. “I waited until you had your food, didn’t I?”
Lucy giggles, the sound rushing through my body and breathing new life into my bones.
We dig into our food, and I love that she isn’t shy about eating like some women are. Then again, I hope it’s because she’s comfortable with me, and not because she grew up in homes where food was scarce. I know all too well the trauma of childhood poverty.
I pepper my girl with questions here and there, trying to keep things light. I want her to feel safe with me and to know that I don’t view her any differently for the way she grew up. In fact, it draws me closer to her and only makes me want to protect her even more. I want to fill her life with so much joy, it cancels out all of the bad things that have ever happened to her.
“How was everything?” a woman asks from off to the side. I didn’t even notice her standing there until she spoke.
“Delicious,” Lucy answers, her eyes darting to me with a knowing grin.
“Very good, thank you. We’ll take the check whenever.” The waitress nods and heads over to the register.
“You scared the other guy off!” Lucy whisper-shouts. “Maybe he really did pee his pants.”
I chuckle and take her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. “Want to get out of here?” I ask. “We could grab a drink somewhere else or a coffee, depending on what you’re up for.”
Lucy hesitates, nibbling her bottom lip. I know I asked too much, too soon when she tenses her shoulders. I swear I can see her constructing a wall as she thinks of some excuse to let me down gently. I beat her to the punch, however.
“Scratch that,” I say easily, letting her know I’m not upset. “It’s getting late, and I have a lot of work to do on my mom’s old place tomorrow. Maybe we can try again another night?” I figure my chances are better if I spread things out rather than overwhelm her all at once.
“Yeah,” Lucy says with a nod, sighing a bit as she relaxes. “Thanks,” she adds, though it’s so soft, I don’t know if she meant for me to hear it.
I’m not sure why she’s thanking me at first, but then it hits me. My girl is thanking me for realizing a boundary and respecting it. My heart breaks for her, but I’m more invested than ever to show her how a real man treats the woman he loves.
Ten minutes later, the bill is squared away and Lucy and I are headed back to her house. The ride is much smoother than when I picked her up, and I hope our date showed her she can let her defenses down around me, at least a little bit.
Pulling into the driveway, I hop out of the car and sprint over to the passenger side, opening her door and holding out my hand. Lucy places her delicate palm in mine, and I wrap my fingers around her hand, helping her out of the car. I don’t let go when she’s standing in front of me, and she makes no move to back away.
I lean forward slowly, aware of her every breath, every blink, every beat of her heart. She’s not shrinking away from me. My girl tips her chin up and sways toward me, her blue eyes locked on mine.
Cupping her cheek, I glide the pad of my thumb across her cheekbone, loving the way she flutters her eyes closed and leans into my touch.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur into the shell of her ear. Resting my forehead on hers, I rub our noses together, breathing in her sweet, citrusy scent.
Lucy blinks up at me, her lips slightly parted, her breath skating across my skin, making my dick press against the zipper of my jeans. “I almost believe you,” she whispers.
My lips press against hers in the next instant, slowly at first. Softly. Treasuring her like she deserves.
My girl gasps, tensing for a second before sighing sweetly and melting against my chest. I slide my tongue inside her mouth, groaning when she welcomes me. Stroking my tongue against hers, I let my hand slip from her cheek to her neck, ghosting my fingers over her sensitive flesh before dropping my hand to her hip.
Lucy moans as I squeeze her there, anchoring her to me as we get lost in each other. Pinning her against the car, I growl possessively when her soft, ample curves press against the hard slats of my muscles. She’s perfect for me in every way.
My girl tips her head back, breaking our kiss. I continue to nuzzle into the side of her neck, kissing and licking her pulse point while she catches her breath.
“Wow,” she whispers, her chest still heaving as she takes in fresh air.
“Wow,” I agree, my voice hoarse.
As much as it pains me, I peel myself off of Lucy and take a step back. Her eyes immediately focus on my throbbing erection, obvious even through my dark jeans and the setting sun. I cover it up with my hand, trying to readjust and make it less obscene. She blushes, then looks up at me with a satisfied, smug little grin.
