Chasin' Eight (Rough Riders #11)(121)

“Compliments won’t negate your shitty attitude.”

Chase held his beer bottle aloft. “Booze might.”

Ava’s laugh was laced with exasperation.
He crossed the room and kissed her soundly. “I don’t like fighting with you, Hollywood. Let’s go have us a burger.”

A car service delivered them to db Bistro Moderne. Ava approached the hostess stand. “Reservations for Cooper.”

Of course the reservation was for Cooper.
The host, a scrawny, pimple-faced Mexican kid, grinned. “We’re so pleased you’ve chosen to dine with us tonight, Miss Cooper. I was such a huge fan of Miller’s Ridge.”

“Thank you. That’s so sweet.”

“Could I trouble you for an autograph?”

“I’d love to sign one. I’ll swing by on our way out.”

The kid beamed. “Right this way.”

From what Chase could see, the restaurant was tiny—ten tables total. The walls were plastered with brightly colored paintings. Music blared but didn’t mask the din. The host led them to a table directly in front of the windows. Talk about being in a fishbowl. Since it was the only seating available, it wouldn’t do any good to complain.
“Can I bring you a beverage from our bar, Miss Cooper?”

“A Stoli martini, extra dirty.”

“Excellent choice. And for you, sir?”

Weird. He didn’t know Ava drank martinis. Seemed there was a lot he didn’t know about her. “Do you have a beer list?”

“No sir. We don’t serve beer.”

Chase managed not to blurt, No beer in a burger joint? He said, “Chivas on the rocks. A double.” Before he opened the menu to check whether this place even served burgers made of meat, Ava placed her hand over the top of his.
“Do you trust me to order for you?”

This was a test. He thought back to the night they’d eaten at the supper club. She’d allowed him to order for her, so she obviously expected the same courtesy. “Sure. But no—”

“Fish. Got it.”

She ordered. When their drinks arrived Ava raised her glass for a toast. “To having fun in the Big Apple.”

He clinked his glass to hers and drank, but he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her face. The lighting gave her an extra golden glow.
“You’re staring at me.”

“Because you’re beautiful.”

She blushed.
Goddamn he loved it when she blushed. “C’mere.”

She leaned across the table until they were nose to nose. “What?”

“This.” Chase angled his head and pressed his mouth to hers, memorizing the shape, softness and taste of her lips beneath his. He let the kiss linger, didn’t use his tongue, only parted his mouth slightly and rubbed his lips over hers twice before he eased back.
They didn’t speak as they took in the ambiance of the restaurant and gazed out the window. Seemed to take forever until their food arrived. His burger had gooey stuff in the middle that tasted like his Aunt Caro’s goose liver spread. The meat was juicy, but the burger would’ve been better with a layer of mustard, onions and pickles—in his opinion.
Ava only ate half of hers and declined dessert and coffee.
The server dropped the bill at Chase’s elbow. He automatically opened it and looked at the damages.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
“Chase. Gimme that.”

He gaped at her. “A hundred bucks? For one hamburger?”

Ava snatched the check from him. “I told you I was buying.”