Chapter Four
The rundown diner that Legs suggested was packed, but Avery had managed to get here early—because he needed this to work out—and secured a booth in the back. The vinyl was cracked, and a spring poked his ass, but she’d assured him the food was good.
The clink of dishes and the hiss of meat on the grill filled the air. A fluorescent light overhead flickered and buzzed. And the hum of conversation idled on low. But he didn’t care about the ambiance or the cuisine.
He wasn’t here to seduce her. His primary goal was to convince her that his fake dating plan was in her best interests and to return to work with a big fuck off for Melody and Charlotte.
Not exactly in those words because, while they were driving him crazy, he loved them.
They just needed to stay in their own lane.
The bell over the door jingled.
Ah, Legs. Hotter than he remembered.
And five minutes late. Not flustered. Not apologetic. Like someone who knew exactly how much space she was willing to give and no more.
The rain had stopped, but the temperature had dropped. A thick navy coat, serviceable and a bit worn, hid the curves he’d explored in the catering van. Faded jeans encased long, slender legs to perfection.
Pushing the hood back, she searched the diner.
The second her eyes landed on him, they rounded as if she hadn’t expected him to show up, then narrowed.
Chin high, she strode toward him, hips swaying, scuffed boots tapping on the black and green tiles, and a messy pile of auburn hair on top of her head.
The urge to unravel it and watch it spill down her back, to watch her unravel beneath him had Avery stretching out his legs to make room in his pants. This was not about getting his dick wet, and scaring her off was counterproductive to his plan.
One arm across the back of the seat, he smiled as she stopped in front of him to remove her coat. “I’m glad you didn’t change your mind.”
“I almost did. This is a dumb idea.”
He let that go. She was here. That was half the battle and pretty much told him she needed him as much as he needed her.
She tossed the coat and a pair of gloves on the seat across from him but left on a pale blue scarf that looked like the ones his grandmother used to crochet for him and his brothers every Christmas. He still had the last one she’d given him before she died.
Who made this one for her?
Whatever. Get on with it.
Sliding into the booth, Legs squared her shoulders beneath a navy sweatshirt with a peeling logo no longer recognizable but curving around her tits like the backroads winding through the rolling hills just north of Houston.
She blew into her cupped hands, drawing his attention to her face. Her cheeks were pink from the cold wind, her nose red and tipped up on the end. Delicate brows the color of autumn leaves formed a V over expectant blue eyes.
Avery lifted a hand to signal the teenager who’d bounced between him and the long counter filled with customers. “Do you mind if I order before we begin negotiations?”
Legs shrugged, then startled as the server swept up to the booth.
The girl’s gaze slid over Legs before it settled on him. Her smile brightened. “What can I get you?”
Legs snorted.
Pretending not to notice, he returned the girl’s smile, keeping it polite because A, flirting with a waitress wouldn’t help his cause, and B, jail bait. He inclined his head toward Legs. “Ladies first.”
“Huh? Oh, sure.” Blushing, Ivy pivoted toward Legs. “Sorry, what would you like?”
“I’ll have the double swiss mushroom burger, large rings, and a large vanilla milkshake.”
Where’s she going to put all that?
She must have read his surprise because she shrugged again with a look that said, “I dare you to judge me.”
“I’ll have the same, except make my shake strawberry.” As soon as the waitress scurried off to the kitchen, he patted his stomach. “I hope it’s worth it, ’cause I might have to add a few miles to my morning run.”
Legs’ gaze flickered to his abs, then toward the fogged-up window for a long moment.
Her reflection stared back at her, her expression pinched into a frown.
Was she questioning why she was here, talking herself out of staying to hear him out?
He wished he could read her mind so he could get ahead of her concerns.
She turned abruptly from the window. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“It’s simple really.” Avery tugged at his tie and released the top button of his dress shirt.
“Since my brother Spencer got married and Marcus got engaged, my mother has decided I should be next. My sister-in-law and soon-to-be have joined forces with her, and they’re making my life a living hell.
I can’t even turn around without tripping over one of the sacrificial virgins they’re throwing at me.
Most of them are daughters of clients or family friends, which could potentially lead to social suicide or loss of business. ”
Smarting just a bit about the virgin comment, she snapped, “Because you’ll cheat.”
“Because I’m not looking for a relationship, and sooner or later, they’ll want one. Too messy.” Resting his forearms on the table, he leaned forward. “And just to clarify, I don’t cheat.”
She snorted. “I’ve never met a man who doesn’t.”
“I’m sure that’s an exaggeration, but that explains a lot.”
Her head snapped up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Only that you’re guarded.” And cynical and bitter and sexy as fuck when you’re mad. And maybe just a little broken. “Someone obviously hurt you.”
She opened her mouth, no doubt to argue, but snapped it shut as a plate piled high with a burger and onion rings slid in front of her. “Thank you.”
The aroma of both fried and grilled onions wafted around him, making his stomach growl as the server placed his meal in front of him. “I hope it tastes as good as it smells.”
“Best burger in Houston.” Legs pulled a handful of napkins from the dispenser. She handed them to him and went back for another handful for herself. “Can I get some ketchup, please?”
“Sure.” The girl set their shakes at the edge of the table. Her hands fluttered over her apron as she turned to Avery. “Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you”—he glanced at her name tag—“Ivy. Other than a to-go box later, I’m good.”
With another blush and a smile, she bobbed her head and moved on to another customer.
“You can remember her name, but not What’s Her Name’s?”
Tapping the spot over his heart, he inclined his head at the girl. “Life would be so much easier if everyone wore name tags.”
Legs rolled her eyes.
Avery unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves as he watched Legs bite into the massive burger. Her eyes closed, and the hum of pleasure emanating from her slender throat reached under the table to caress his balls.
Fuck. He stifled a groan and shifted to make room for his dick. “Where were we?”
“Your life is a living hell,” she said around the sarcasm and juices dripping from her mouth. Her tongue swept out to catch the latter.
He sighed and yanked his mind from the filthiest of gutters. “As I was saying, I get that they want me to be happy, and I love them for that, but I’m not ready to settle down. If they think I’m dating someone, they’ll back off.”
“But why a fake date?” She waved an onion ring toward the girl behind the counter, and then at him. “You clearly have no trouble attracting women. Why not find someone who actually wants you?”
“Implying you don’t.” Something he was counting on.
She shook her head, her nose wrinkling and her lips curling as if she’d just bitten into a sour pickle rather than a juicy burger.
“You seem to be pretty immune to me. With the exception of that almost kiss in the van.”
“That wasn’t an almost kiss. I was about to ram your balls into your throat.”
“Which makes you perfect.” He tucked his tie between two buttons in the placket of his shirt, wrapped the paper around his burger, and held it with both hands. “Anyone else is looking for a fairy tale.”
That got him a tongue click and another eyeroll. “Like you’re a real Prince Charming.”
A sly grin tugged at one corner of his mouth as he met her gaze. “No, baby. I’m no prince. I’m the big bad wolf. And I’m hungry…all the time.”
****
Jo paused mid-chew as, dark eyes gleaming, Avery bit into his burger like an animal savoring the last bit of meat on a bone. Yeah, he was a wolf, all right. For a minute, she’d almost forgotten. Since she got here, he’d been so straightforward and professional.
But once again he’d restored her lack of faith in the male species by baring his wolfish teeth.
All the better to eat you with, my dear.
Her pussy contracted around the images exploding like bad porn across the screen in her mind. His head between her legs, gleaming eyes locked on hers. Her fingers in his black as sin hair. His breath on her inner thigh. And finally, the rasp of his tongue finding just the right spot.
“Mmm, tastes good,” he said with a wink.
Shifting her gaze to the window, she squeezed her thighs together for relief and tried to shut out the stray line from the fairy tale. The damn thing was stuck on repeat, each word matching the pulse in her clit.
Funny thing was, she’d never wanted Chase to go down on her.
He’d never offered either, yet obviously, he liked it.
Or maybe he just liked it with Chelsea. The memory of finding them together washed over her like the freezing rain pouring down outside again, better than any cold shower.
Not that she’d ever needed one. Until two weeks ago.
Not good.
In the window’s reflection, she caught Avery studying her, his expression intent, the wolf gone. No, not gone. He was still in there, ready to pounce when she wasn’t looking.
“Beware the wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Ha! Sorry, Grandma, there’s not a sheepish bone in Avery Preston’s hot as fuck body, and I’m hardly immune.