Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Miles
The bass thumped against the walls, making it hard to hear what Jamie was saying.
Between the four of us, she was the only one holding the conversation, and the majority of it was with Anthony.
It turned out they both grew up in small towns close to each other in Illinois, something neither Kat, nor I, had any clue about.
I wanted to ask Kat if she wanted to dance, but her body was wound tighter than a clock as she stuffed herself as far into the booth as possible, so she didn’t have to touch me.
This wasn’t how most of my dates went. I reminded myself that this wasn’t a date and Kat wasn’t anything like the women I’d dated since I’d moved to Seattle a few months ago.
I had grown up in southern California and stayed there until my grandfather passed away.
My grandma needed help but refused to ask.
I had always been close to my grandparents and couldn’t stand the thought of my grandma living in Seattle by herself.
So, I’d given up everything I had in California and moved here without giving it a second thought. I haven’t regretted it once.
“Is there anything I can get you?” the waitress asked as she stopped by our table. The bar was almost to capacity, with bodies smushed together on the dance floor and every table occupied.
“Would you like another?” I asked Kat, leaning in so she could hear me.
Her eyes widened as if she thought I might kiss her, and I found myself smiling at the thought. Did I make her nervous? All this time, I just thought she hated me but didn’t know why.
“Sure,” she said softly, forcing me to read her lips to know what she’d said.
I ordered another round for Kat and me, leaving Jamie and Anthony to take care of their own. After the waitress left, I leaned into Kat and attempted to talk to her again.
“So, what will it take for me to get you to take me up on that date offer?” I asked, leaving enough space between us to avoid crowding her or making her feel uncomfortable.
She turned and studied my face, the dimly lit room making her eyes look even darker with the smokey makeup she was wearing.
“Why do you want to take me out so badly?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“You don’t even know me.”
“That’s usually the point of taking someone out. You hang out, have dinner, or a few drinks. Talk. Get to know each other.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You haven’t had a lot of good dates, have you?”
“That’s none of your business.”
She turned away, breaking eye contact with me.
“Look, I can tell that you don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you.”
That got her attention as her head turned back to me.
“You shouldn’t trust someone that you don’t know. All I’m asking for is the chance to get to know each other.”
“I still don’t get why you want this so badly.”
“You interest me.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” I laughed, sinking against the booth as my body relaxed. “I haven’t figured that out, but there’s something about you that’s different than anyone I’ve ever met. It makes me curious and want to get to know you.”
“I’m not that interesting.” She jutted her chin out and turned her hair again.
The waitress returned with our drinks, shutting down any witty response I might’ve come up with to counter her.
We drank our drinks, sitting there in awkward silence as Jamie and Anthony finished up their conversation. Jamie checked her phone and then frowned.
“Sorry, Jim is getting off work, so I gotta go. Do you want me to drive you home?” She looked at Kat and the brand new drink sitting in front of her.
“Yeah,” Kat hesitated. “Or I can just catch a cab.”
“I don’t want you taking a cab this late, I can let Jim know I’ll be a few minutes late if you want to finish your drink.”
“It’ll take more than a few minutes unless you want me wasted in your car for the ride home. It’s not a big deal, really. I used to take cabs all the time; it’s fine.”
“I can take you home,” I offered, speaking loudly so they could both hear me. I glanced at Jamie, noticing the smug smile on her face before I turned to Kat. “I don’t mind.”
“No, it’s fine, really.”
“I agree with Jamie, I don’t think it’s safe for you to take a cab home by yourself. Especially when you’ve been drinking. I’m more than happy to take you.”
She seemed frustrated, looking between us, then down at her drink.
“I haven’t had that much to drink. If I don’t finish this one, then I’ve only had two. I’m barely buzzed and can punch someone in the throat if needed.”
I arched a brow and felt Jamie’s eyes on me.
“Okay, well, I’m going to get going. I’ll check on you later,” she said, pointing a finger at Kat.
“Alright, tell Jim hi.”
I gave her a slight wave as Anthony stood up and offered to walk her to her car. I knew that it was his way of calling it a night as well so he could get home to his girlfriend when she got out of work.
“Looks like it’s just us,” I said, noting the irritation still etched on her face. “Why don’t we finish these, then go dance off some of the alcohol?”
I wasn’t anywhere near buzzed and had nursed the first drink for over an hour before the waitress brought this one. I had no plans of throwing it back, but when I saw Kat chug hers, I did the same.
She nodded for me to get up, so I chuckled and slid out of the booth, stepping to the side and extending my hand to help her up. Holding her chin high, she climbed out and ignored the hand I’d offered her.
We made our way to the dance floor, squeezing in between people as they bounced around to the upbeat song that was currently playing. It wasn’t my type of music, but at least it was easy to move to.
Kat closed her eyes as she moved her body, letting the rhythm guide her. I wanted to reach out and touch her but trusted what she’d said a few minutes ago about punching someone in the throat tonight, and I didn’t want to be the person on the receiving end of that threat.
But then, out of nowhere, a burly guy knocked into me, sending me right in her direction. I placed my hands around her waist to keep from tackling her as I stepped to the side to catch my balance.
Her eyes opened, studying me with curiosity as my hands stayed glued to her waist. She turned around, pressed her back to my chest, and clasped her hands over mine. I expected her to push me away, but instead, she began moving with the beat, swaying her hips and brushing her ass against my groin.
I closed my eyes and groaned at the friction, fighting the erection that wanted to make a special guest appearance.
Now wasn’t the time to act like a fifteen-year-old boy who’d just seen boobs for the first time.
I needed to prove to Kat that I wasn’t like the other guys she’d dated and that I wasn’t just looking for a hookup.
With my eyes closed, I pictured my grandma standing at the stove, making spaghetti, and allowed the memories to wash away the erotic thoughts I’d had of Kat just seconds before.
My hands slid down her waist and held onto her hips as I moved with her. It felt like no one else was around us as we danced, our bodies in sync with each other, speaking a secret language that even I couldn’t understand.
“You’re so beautiful,” I growled into her ear, feeling her body react to my words.
I wanted to keep touching her and dancing but knew that sooner than later, my erection was going to make a comeback. It was impossible for it not to, given how she was caressing my dick with every move she made.
“Why don’t we head over to my food truck, and I’ll fix us some food, then take you home?”
She spun around, her brown eyes slightly hooded. Satisfaction blossomed in my chest, knowing she’d been just as affected by this as I had.
“I’m not asking for anything in return, Kat. Just let me feed you and make sure you get home, okay? Nothing more than that.”
She nodded and took a deep breath.
I held her hand as I led us through the packed bar and out to the sidewalk as a breeze whipped past us. It was a short walk to the truck, which was helpful given the heels she was wearing.
She shivered slightly and rubbed her hands up and down her arms while I unlocked the back and helped her inside. I pulled the door closed and offered her to take a seat.
“Is there anything you feel like?” I asked, not sure what she wanted.
“I’m good with whatever, you don’t even have to cook for me.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to. What would you like?”
“Surprise me.”
I picked up on the sassiness in her tone, knowing that she was challenging me to impress her. Little did she know, I had a lot of skills both in and out of the kitchen.
I glanced at my phone, realizing it was almost one in the morning. She’d had a decent amount to drink and was being nice to me, which made me think she might’ve been more than buzzed.
Deciding on something quick and easy, I fired up the grill and cooked a few hotdogs and some onion rings. I looked over my shoulder as I heard a noise come out of her mouth that sounded vaguely like a moan.
“Eat this; it’ll help you avoid a hangover tomorrow.” I handed her a plate and then sat down beside her and started eating mine.
“I’m not drunk,” she insisted, followed by a hiccup. She covered her mouth and giggled while I enjoyed seeing her vulnerable for once.
“Alright, Wonder Woman. Just eat your damn hotdog and stop fighting with me.”
“I like fighting with you.” She took a bite, then closed her eyes and groaned. “Your wiener is so delicious. I could eat this all day.”
I swallowed hard, nearly choking on my bite. Okay, she was definitely drunk, and now I couldn’t think about anything other than Kat eating my wiener.