Page 46 of Silver Spoon Falls, Vol. I

THIRTY-ONE

ZANE

“Zane Montoya, I have a six o’clock reservation,” I tell the smiling hostess.

“I have an appointment meeting me here, so I’ll wait at the bar until she arrives.

” I stroll over to the bar and order a beer before sitting on a barstool that faces the large bank of windows lining the front of the restaurant.

I’m fucking shocked my little rebel agreed to this dinner.

I’d actually been making plans to kidnap Autumn when she agreed to meet me.

Over the past two days, I’ve gotten a grip on my emotions while I researched her case.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s no way I’ll ever let her get away from me, but my analytical mind has switched gears.

I’m going to go about this like the mature, educated man I was before meeting her.

Through my research, I learned a lot about Autumn. Her tough outer shell hides a softhearted woman who’s determined to control her own destiny. I’m willing to let her call the shots in our relationship, as long as she doesn’t try to escape from me. That’s where I draw the line.

Movement on the sidewalk catches my eye and I glance over.

A laugh bubbles up my throat and I almost choke on my sip of beer.

The little rebel is in rare form tonight.

My cock turns to stone in my pants as I watch the show in front of the restaurant.

Autumn walks up to the front door before pulling her hand back as if she’s been burned.

For a few moments, she seems to be having an entire conversation with herself.

While she continues her debate, I let my eyes roam over her luscious body.

I’m not sure I like the thought of any other men seeing her in the tight black skirt and white silky blouse.

What should be a plain, utilitarian outfit is anything but on my curvy little rebel.

When she does a quick spin, the slit running up the side of her leg separates, giving me a quick view of her silky thigh. Oh, fuck no. My inner caveman wakes up and roars, wanting to keep the sight of her just for me while my cock is enjoying the fucking show.

My bipolar thoughts are getting fucking annoying.

I see the indecision on her face and decide to step in before she manages to convince herself to run off.

I rush out the front door and wrap my hand around her elbow.

“Trying to run out on me?” I whisper in her ear before leaning down to place a soft kiss on her cheek.

When my lips meet her silky skin, I feel an explosion of desire blast through my soul.

“I think I left my curling iron on,” she growls and attempts to step back, but I wrap my arm around her curvy waist to keep her from fleeing. “I need to run home and check.”

It’s not the most original excuse. “And you can wash your hair while you’re there?” I place my hand at the base of the little rebel’s spine and lead her into the Broadway Steakhouse before she’s able to escape.

“Are you saying my hair is dirty?” Her eyes flash the fire I’ve come to crave. I reach for her soft hand and hold it tight.

“No, I’m saying you’re trying to talk yourself out of having dinner with me, and I’m not letting you get away with it.” I signal the hostess before practically dragging my uncooperative little rebel through the crowded restaurant.

“But…” she sputters and tugs on my hand, but I ignore her feeble attempts.

I point to the booth. “Slide your little ass in before I whip you in front of everyone in this restaurant.” Her chocolate eyes round while her sweet lips open and close soundlessly.

I reach under her chin and lift, closing her mouth.

“Now,” I add and watch her flounce into the leather booth.

The hostess makes her escape while I’m watching my girl slide to the far end.

“Caveman,” my little rebel hisses under her breath.

“Trouble,” I return and slide in until my thigh is touching hers. “Now, what would you like to drink?”

“Something strong,” Autumn hisses at me before looking up to smile at the waiter who just walked up to the table. A red haze moves across my vision as I watch her ask him sweetly, “I’d like a Jack and Coke with extra Jack.”

“I’ll have the same.” I glare at the fucker until he gets the idea and disappears.

“You have to stop freaking threatening to spank me,” she grumbles and attempts to pull her hand away, but I’m too fast. I lace our fingers together and bring them to my lips. “And stop doing that. You’re my lawyer. L-A-W-Y-E-R.” She spells the word out adorably.

“Stop giving me reasons to spank you,” I tell her as the waiter returns to place our drinks on the table.

“Do you need more time to look over the menu?” He interrupts us.

“Yes, we’ll let you know when we’re ready.”

After the waiter walks away, Autumn attempts to pull her hand away. “You know what? I think this was a really bad idea.”

“What’s a bad idea?” I bring her hand to my lips and run my tongue along her soft knuckles.

“This, us. You being my lawyer…” Autumn starts. When her expressive eyes widen, I glance over my shoulder to see what’s got her attention. I groan to myself watching Cash, Playboy, and Hacker sit at the table across from us. Motherfucking hell.

“What are they doing here?” Autumn groans.

“I guess we’re going to have an audience.” I lean close to whisper in her ear, “Those assholes.”

“Hey.” She attempts to lean away from me, but I scoot closer to her luscious body. “You can’t call my brother an asshole.”

“Do you live to challenge me?” I haven’t had this much fun since law school. My little rebel keeps me on my toes while warming my heart and playing havoc with my cock.

“It’s a hard job, but someone has to do it.” Her small smile causes my heart to jump in my chest. Fuck. I rub the spot, realizing she owns me, heart and soul. Now, I need to find a way to convince her that we’re meant to be. “Can we discuss my case now?”

“We can discuss your case tomorrow in my office where we have privacy.” Okay. Maybe getting her to the restaurant under false pretenses was a little underhanded. Make that a lot underhanded, but a desperate man takes desperate measures.

“But. But.” There she goes with that adorable sputtering again. “That was the whole reason for me meeting you here for dinner.”

“No,” I correct her. “I wanted to have dinner with you because I couldn’t spend another moment without seeing you.” I shrug.

“I’m so firing you,” she threatens again as a round of chuckles moves through the table across from us.

I glance over to glare at the three fuckers blatantly listening to our conversation. Before I’m able to express my displeasure at their interrupting our date, each man holds up a paper napkin with a number written on it.

Motherfucking hell. These immature bastards are giving me goddamn scores. Cash is holding up an eight while Hacker has a five. My little rebel’s brother has the lowest score at three.

Three I mouth. I know I’m fucking rusty at the whole dating thing. Actually, I’ve never even bothered to attempt it before, but still. I deserve better than a goddamn three.

I was feeling generous. You really only earned a two, Playboy mouths back. I rub my middle finger against the side of my head, wanting to get my point across without blatantly scandalizing all the uptight wealthy patrons around us.

“Excuse me a minute.” I lean over and kiss Autumn’s forehead. “I’ll be right back.” Then a thought occurs to me. “Don’t even think about running out on me or I’ll whip your ass in front of your brother and mine.”

“You wouldn’t.” She’s wrong. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.

“Are you willing to risk it?” I’m slowly discovering what makes my girl tick.

She wants to control her own life and destiny.

Part of me worries my heavy-handed approach will scare her off, but my analytical mind assures my cautious side that this is the way to go with Autumn.

Out the corner of my eye, I notice Cash is holding up a six while Hacker and Playboy both have napkins with twos written on them.

“My brother will kill you.” She rolls her eyes, attempting to ignore the three comedians at the next table. My little rebel isn’t wrong about her brother, but I won’t let anyone come between us.

“He might try, but I’m not worried. I’m all in. Nothing is going to come between us.” I stare into her shocked eyes. “You own my heart.” It’s time to lay my cards on the table. “And I’ll do whatever it takes to make you see that we belong together.”

“I’m totally firing you.” Her expressive eyes fill with worry, telling me I’m pushing a little hard.

“We’ll see,” I tell her before sliding out of the booth.

“Just so you know, I’m going to keep pushing until you realize that I’m not going away.

I’ll let you have the control you crave, and hell, I’ll even let you run the show, but I won’t ever let you get away.

” I’m man enough to admit that I need her more than I need to control everything.

If my little rebel wants to take charge, I’ll let her.

But I’ll always be right at her side, ready to step in and protect her from her actions.

God knows, past history has shown that she can get into unbelievable amounts of trouble.

I leave Autumn sitting at the booth with her mouth hanging open and step over to the assholes’ table. “What the fuck are you three stooges doing here?” I direct the question at all of them but stare into Playboy Romano’s eyes, trying to read his true feelings about my relationship with Autumn.

“Making sure you don’t fuck this up.” Playboy shocks me with his answer. “And to let you know that I’ll make sure they never find your body if you hurt my sister.” That was more what I was expecting to hear.

“You’re not really shining over there,” my brother adds, shaking his head. “I mean, she looks ready to flee while you’re doing your best caveman impersonation.”

“Get the fuck out of here,” I tell them, already knowing they aren’t going to listen to me. “And let me handle my woman.”

“Oh, man. The water has another victim.” Hacker shakes his head sadly.

“But this one isn’t too swift.” He smirks up at me.

“The magic Silver Spoon Falls water can only do so much. You still have to win over your girl.” Goddamnit.

I’m so tired of hearing that crazy old wives’ tale.

The rumor mill in town swears that the insanely large number of happy unions in town is due to the “magic” water.

“I know,” Cash agrees, forgetting his sense of sibling solidarity. “I’m disappointed in my little brother. Hopefully, he catches on quick before he fucks this up.”

“Hello, you’re talking about me like I’m not standing right here.” These three are like goddamn gossiping teenagers. “Don’t you three have something better to do with your time?” Fuck. You’d think three billionaires would be too busy to bother me.

“Nothing is more important than my sister,” Playboy answers for all three of them. “And you, my man, suck at wooing. We’re trying to help you before the damage is insurmountable.”

“First off…” I slam my hand down on the table, ready to blast the fucker, when my little rebel shocks the hell out of me by wrapping her hand around my waist.

“Zane doesn’t suck at wooing.” My heart melts when Autumn takes up for me and points at her brother.

“And I don’t need you to watch out for me.

” My little rebel’s adorable huff wraps around my heart and warms my soul.

“And another thing, your grading system sucks. He was easily earning sevens and eights.”

“Motherfucking A.” Playboy glances back and forth between the two of us. “My work here is done.”

What the hell? My brain can’t keep up with shifting tides. “Huh?” I need a playbook or instruction manual to handle this shit.

The three assholes stand to leave, and Playboy leans close to whisper to me. “She’s arguing with me to protect you.” This asshole is taking credit for the headway I’m making with Autumn. “You can thank me later. A bottle of The Red Collection 50 Year Old Scotch should be sufficient.”

“Yeah, right.” Like I’d ever give him an eighty-thousand dollar bottle of whiskey for helping me. “Hold your breath until I get it to you.”

After they disappear from sight, I turn to Autumn. “Well, that was fun.”

“As fun as a root canal,” she grumbles and slides back to the center of the booth. This time, she doesn’t try to get too far away. “Okay. We need to discuss a few things.”

I couldn’t agree more. “What would you like to discuss, little rebel?”

“First,” she pokes that damn pointy finger into my chest, “stop calling me little rebel.”

“Not going to happen, but thank you for asking.” I smile down at Autumn, unable to risk needling her just a little. “What else?”

“Funny.” She throws her hands up into the air. “Are we going to discuss my case?”

“I already told you.” I have to touch her, so I wrap my hand around hers before running my thumb across her soft knuckles. “We’ll meet in my office tomorrow morning to discuss everything.”

“But I want to know now. I’m so worried about it.” Her bottom lip trembles, turning my insides to goo.

“We’ll discuss everything tomorrow, but I want you to know that I’ve dug up a ton of very damaging information on Jimmy Gatlin. You don’t have to worry about him suing you. When I’m done with that fucker, he’ll be lucky if he isn’t going to federal prison.”

I watch relief flit through her expressive brown eyes and decide to push my luck as an idea pops into my mind. “After we get that business out of the way, I’m going to take you to Houston for the weekend so we can get to know each other without the three stooges or their minions interrupting us.”

“Now, wait a minute.” There’s that adorable sputter she does that melts my heart while hardening my cock.

“No. I’m not waiting to make you mine.” I finally managed to find a way to keep her quiet.