Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Liam
After throwing the paper napkin in my hand into the center of the empty cardboard pizza box, I rub my stomach through my sweater. “That was good.”
Athena pitches her napkin at the box too, but it sails right over. Once it’s landed on the floor, she rolls her eyes. “Ignore that.”
Reaching for it, I huff out a laugh. “I didn’t see that. Give it another try.”
Balling the napkin tighter, she launches it again. This time it twists over itself in the air before it lands squarely on the lid of the box.
“She shoots, she scores.” I pump a fist in the air. “That’s two points for Millett.”
Shaking her ass on the sofa, she waves both hands in the air. “Hell yeah.”
This feels so damn good.
I could tell she was nervous after we ordered the pizza and waited for it. Her gaze kept volleying past me to the door. I thought she was planning to make a break for it, but she hung around.
We walked back to my apartment talking about food.
She loves toasted sourdough bread with cream cheese and berries. When she asked me about my favorite food, I went with an easy answer.
Pizza.
I eat to fuel my body. I try to avoid the junk food aisles at the grocery store, but I’m human. A man can’t survive on fruits, vegetables, and protein alone.
With a heavy swallow, I finish the water in my glass.
I turn to find Athena’s eyes glued to me.
Tossing her a smile, I pick up her empty glass. “Do you want a refill?”
She looks at her phone’s screen. It’s the second time she’s checked it since we sat down to eat.
I silenced mine because I stopped being on call fifteen minutes ago. If an emergency call comes into the Dehaven Center tonight, the phone service knows to contact Winola Dehaven, the founder and my boss.
If she doesn’t pick up, they’ll reach out to one of the other three counselors I work with.
“I should go soon.” Her voice takes on the same nervous edge it had back at the restaurant. “I have a busy day tomorrow.”
I do too, but it’s early. “Can you stay for a few more minutes? I think I have a candy bar in the drawer. We can share it for dessert.”
She shifts so she’s facing me. “How long has it been in the drawer?”
Good question. I bought it for my niece, Winter, when I was hanging out with her one day. “Six months. A year tops.”
Reaching for her purse, she scrunches her nose. “I bought one yesterday. Let’s stay safe and share that.”
Pausing, I watch her every move. She tugs the bag onto her lap before her hand disappears inside it.
“I know I didn’t eat it,” she whispers. “It has to be in here.”
Holding the bag open, she searches through it. “How can a candy bar disappear just like that?”
I inch closer to get a better look. The bag is filled with everything I’d expect it to be. A package of tissues, a set of keys, and a black leather wallet are the first things I spot.
“I found it,” she announces, yanking her hand swiftly out in triumph.
The candy bar appears along with something else.
A foil packet bounces off her lap before settling on the sofa between us.
“That wasn’t supposed to happen,” she says with a stuttered laugh.
Before she has a finger on it, I’ve got the package in my hand. I close my fist around it.
“That’s mine.” The words come out breathless. “Liam, that’s mine.”
“You won’t need it tonight.” I toss the package over my shoulder.
Her eyes follow the movement of my hand. “I didn’t put that condom in my bag tonight. It’s been in there for months.”
Nodding, I take in the flustered look on her face.
“For the record, I didn’t plan on having sex with you tonight. I wasn’t going to have sex with you tonight.”
I lean forward, enjoying the way her cheeks have flushed pink. “For the record, Athena, that condom wouldn’t fit. I buy a specific brand. Size extra large.”
Her reaction says it all. Her lips part, her breathing stalls, and her gaze drops to my lap.
I may be only semi-hard at the moment, but the bulge in my jeans is enough to send Athena to her feet.
Silently, she rounds the coffee table in search of the condom I tossed.
I stand too, raking a hand through my hair. “Let’s say we split that candy bar now.”
“No.” Her voice comes out shaky. “I should go. It’s larger than normal.”
She has no fucking idea.
Biting back a laugh, I clear my throat. I’ll drop my jeans right now and show her, but I sense the condom remark was enough for tonight.
“I meant that my delivery is larger than normal.” She scoops up the condom and tucks it into her pocket. “It’s arriving extra early in the morning, so I should go and get some sleep.”
I can’t argue with that logic. I respect her work. I won’t get in the way of that.
“I’ll take you home,” I offer.
“No,” she says with a scrub of her hand over the back of her neck. Her fingers skirt right over that sexy tattoo she has. “I’ll be fine. You stay here.”
Nodding, I take a step closer to her. “I’ll see you again soon?”
“I have plans this weekend, so maybe one night next week?” She reaches for her purse and her phone. “We can touch base on Monday to see what works.”
“Monday it is.”
“Thanks for the pizza.” She sets off toward my apartment door. “I had fun.”
I did too, although it wasn’t the type of fun I anticipated when I picked her up from Wild Lilac hours ago. I haven’t had a date that didn’t end in at least a kiss in years. I’m aching to touch her, but I’m fine with her setting the pace.
Swinging open the door, she takes a step out. “One last thing, Liam.”
I stalk toward her, hoping that whatever it is, it involves my mouth on her body. “What’s that?”
Her hand lands in the middle of my chest. With her thickly lashed blue eyes pinned to my face, she smiles. “That bouquet needs fresh water. You should change it out.”
Reaching down, I scoop her hand into mine.
She tries to tug it away, but I hold tight. When I bring it to my lips, she lets out the smallest moan.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her hand, I lock eyes with her. “I’ll do that before I fall asleep tonight. That and more.”
A knowing smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. “Goodnight, Liam.”
“Goodnight, Athena.”