Page 7 of The Arrogant One

“My father would be highly disappointed if I went the fast-food route. That’s one. Two, I love good, quality, healthy food, and fast food doesn’t cut it.”

I took a deep breath. “Is Dad in the food business?”

“No, nothing like that. He’s just a foodie. My parents cooked when my sister and I were growing up. We weren’t mac-and-cheese kids, we ate everything they made and learned to love it. The need to have a good meal is something I carried into adulthood. Don’t get me wrong, I might throw together a bowl of ramen at home or a turkey sandwich, but it’s going to be decorated with all the extras.”

I pounded my chest. “Stop. You’re making me fall. Hard.”

She laughed.

“You don’t mind coming to a restaurant and eating alone?” I rested my arm on the bar top and faced more of my body toward her. “I realize that’s what you’re doing tonight. I’m just curious if you do it often.”

“I don’t mind eating alone, and, yes, I do it often.” She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. “I’m a good time and excellent company. I can easily entertain myself.”

“You’ve been a good time … and excellent company.”

Her smile was coy, one I hadn’t seen from her yet. “It only gets better after a second drink.” She laughed. “Which I’m not having.”

“No?”

“I’m driving back to LA after dinner.”

“To fly home, or is that where you live?”

“It’s where I live. You’re right, I’m a Cali girl.”

My breathing was coming in and going out much harder and deeper than it should. My heart was pounding faster than it needed to.

But the thoughts running through my head? Fuck, I couldn’t stop my body from reacting.

I needed Sadie.

I needed to know what she tasted like.

I needed to know what she felt like.

And I needed to know just how she sounded and the way she looked when she moaned.

“What if you didn’t have to drive back tonight?” I asked.

Her eyes narrowed. “What are you saying?”

Once I voiced these words, I couldn’t unsay them, and she wouldn’t be able to unhear them.

But that was a chance I was willing to take for one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen.

“What if I offer you a different … scenario?”

“You like these scenarios, don’t you?” She adjusted the way she was sitting, changing how her legs were crossed. “Explain to me what this one is.”

“I have a hotel room about a mile from here.”

“Are you asking me to stay the night with you?”

“Yes.” I pulled the drink back, sipping the liquor off the ice. “I’d say I’ve been asking you that question, in some way, since you touched my hand when we walked into this restaurant.”

“Youtouched myhand.”

I chuckled. “If that’s the way you want to look at it, then, yes,Itouched you. And I loved every second of it.”