Dance With Me (With Me in Seattle #12)(8)

That’s the understatement of the year. I can feel the electricity flowing between us like a rushing river.

“That’s really all I’m comfortable saying right now,” she admits and swallows.

“That’s enough.”

For now.

“Are you safe?”

Her eyes are wide again as she stares at me, flustered by the question.

“Yeah. I am.”

“Good.” I nod and then turn to leave, but before I get to the door, I decide fuck it and turn back to her. “I’ll pick you up at seven for dinner. Casual.”

“Levi.”

I raise a brow, and she smiles.

“I’ll be ready.”



“Mer’s talked about this place,” Starla says after I park and open the door for her. “She says they have the best burgers in Seattle.”

“Red Mill is the best,” I agree with a smile and link my fingers with hers as we cross the parking lot to the front of the building. It’s tiny, usually with a line out the door. The restaurant only boasts about ten tables, so seating is a challenge.

Miraculously, we’ve come at a good time because we get right in to order, and find a corner table to eat.

“This is . . . cute.” She wrinkles her nose as she looks around.

“I know it seems like a greasy spoon place, but just wait until you taste this burger. You’ll be in heaven.”

“Do you come here often?” She braces her chin on her hand and watches me with happy blue eyes. Her lashes are long, but she’s not wearing any makeup. Her auburn hair is tucked up in a blond wig, which made me laugh when she opened the door earlier.

“Only a few times a year. Any more than that, it would become an addiction.”

“You guys have built it up so big, what if I don’t love it?”

“You will.”

My name is called, so I fetch our dinner, set the tray on the table, and we retrieve our orders.

Starla immediately bites into her burger, and I watch, waiting to see her reaction.

She chews, then sighs in delight.

“Smm gmmd.”

I take a bite and laugh. “What was that?”

“So good.” She wipes her mouth and pops a fry. “If the house next door was for sale, I’d buy it so I could eat here every day.”

“See? Addictive. I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”

“I believe you.”

We’re quiet as we eat. I was hungrier than I thought, and concentrating on eating takes the focus away from wanting to strip her bare and have my way with her.

I don’t remember ever feeling this carnal about a woman. I’ve wanted my fair share, but it’s never been a primal need.

Until her.

And it seems the weeks since I last saw her didn’t diminish the need in the least. If anything, it intensified it. But I’m not going to scare her away this time. So, even if it kills me—and it just might—I’m going to take my time with her.

“My fries are gone.” She pouts, then eyes my basket. I slide it toward her.

“Help yourself.”

“I don’t want to eat your dinner.”

“Okay.”

I move to pull it back, but she snatches it away, making me laugh.

“But if you’re going to offer, I don’t want to hurt your feelings.” She winks at me and takes a few of my fries. “You and Mer were right. This place is the bomb.”

“We’ll come back.”

Her back is to the room, and my eyes constantly move around the space, keeping a tally of who’s here and where they are.

“Do you ever turn the cop off?” she wonders as she finishes my fries.

“No.”

She cocks a brow. “Ever? Because you weren’t very cop-like that night.”

“I’m always a cop,” I say simply. “Whether I’m in my office or inside you, that doesn’t change.”

Her cheeks pinken as she takes a sip of her drink. “It’s fascinating to watch you in public.”

“Why?”

“You’re always watchful.”

“Part of that is habit, and part of it is because I’m with you.”

She tips her head to the side. “Why me?”

“Because you’re you, and your safety is always my top priority.”

“Listen, if what I do for a living makes you uncomfortable—”

“It doesn’t,” I assure her. “But you can’t deny that going out in public makes you a target. You’re wearing a disguise for God’s sake.”

“I wear it all the time. It’s just easier.”

“And it’s habit for me to know the room.” I take her hand. “Regardless if you’re famous or the girl next door, your safety is the priority.”

“So, chivalry isn’t dead after all.”

She smiles, lighting up the whole fucking room.

“It shouldn’t be. My mama raised me right.”

“Remind me to thank her.”

She frowns as if she shouldn’t have said that, but I bring her fingers to my lips and kiss her knuckles. “I’ll do that. Shall we go?”

“Sure, they probably need the table.”