Page 26 of Mr. Edwards

“Sure.” He gives me a devious wink like he can read my thoughts. It’s unnerving. Stepping around me, he opens the door. “After you, pretty girl.” He gestures with his hand for me to go inside. I move forward and as I pass, he rests his flattened palm on the small of my back, following me in. The heat from his touch electrifies my skin, even through my clothes. “I’m ready to be grilled,” he leans in and whispers, causing liquid heat to form in my core as his warm, minty breath ghosts over my skin. “I’m looking forward to it.”

“And I’m ready to be wooed,” I counter, grinning at him over my shoulder.

“Baby, you haven’t seen anything yet.” The tone of his voice makes his words sound more like a caress.

This man is sex on a stick.

We approach a table toward the back of the restaurant, and Grayson moves to pull out my chair. I raise an eyebrow, glancing up at him. I’m not opposed to chivalry; I’m just not used to it.

“What?”

“Nothing,” I say, taking a seat.

“My mom raised me to be a gentleman. Do you have an issue with that?”

“None whatsoever,” I reply, reaching for the menu. Emma and I order from here often, so I already know what I’m getting. I just need something to do with my hands. “Thank her for me next time you see her.”

“I’ll do that.” He rocks back in his chair watching me. “So, Miss Just-Carlee, what does a girl like you do for fun?” I bite back my smile when he says my name like that.

“The usual.”

“Like?”

“If I’m not working, I hang out with my bestie…” I shrug. “…amongst other things.” I give my most seductive look when I say the last part, emphasizing the innuendo.

“Hmm,” he says, shifting in his seat slightly. “Your bestie? Is that the girl you were at the club with tonight?”

“The one and only. Her name is Emma.”

“She seems to have caught the eye of my friend, Ashton.”

“Ugh.” I’m not a fan. Both times she’s seen him he’s managed to upset her. I want to junk-punch him for that.

“You don’t sound too impressed.”

“I’m sorry, but your friend’s a colossal douche.” My confession makes him chuckle.

“Ashton mentioned their infamous meeting this morning, but failed to tell me any specifics. Care to fill me in?”

“There’s not much to tell. He knocked a donut out of her hand and made her cry,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I rest my case.”

This time he laughs, shaking his head. “Wow, you’re right, what a douchebag. I honestly don’t know why we’re friends.” I can tell he’s joking by the way he says it.Whatever.“I probably should reevaluate that.”

“You should,” I retort dryly, giving him the stink eye. Seeing Emma upset makes me go all momma bear, and I don’t appreciate him making light of it.

“He may be a tad prickly at times, but I can assure you deep down he’s a good guy. He’s just had some issues of late.” Naturally, he’s going to defend him, but I’m still not convinced. “Did your friend really cry over a donut? She must love them.”

My stink eye grows stinkier. “It wasn’t the donut thatmade her cry, it was the douche.” I wave my hand dismissing it; I don’t want to mention how he acted when he saw the scars on her wrist. It’s not my story to tell. “He better watch his back; I have ninja skills you know.”

His face lights up with mirth. “Ninja skills? And you’re worried about my ax-wielding abilities.”

Now I’m smiling. “Be a good boy, don’t piss me off and you’ll be safe.”

He drums his fingers on the table. “Duly noted.”

Chapter 5

Grayson