Risk (Gentry Boys #2)(54)

She shook her head but I could tell she liked it when I talked like that. She liked it a lot. I stood up and made a grab for her waist, acting like I was going to tear the snap off her jeans.

“All right,” she laughed, giving in and standing up on tiptoe to reach my mouth.

I wrapped my arms around her. I wanted to get closer. I wanted to do it now.

She retreated. “Sandwich, right? With a beer?”

“Sandwich yes, beer no.”

I returned to the table and Cord joined me. I checked my phone, a little surprised to see how far into the afternoon we were.

“Where do you think our brother’s at right now?”

“He’s got a three hour lab today. Doesn’t let out for a while.”

“Ah, right.” I looked over at Saylor as she ran a credit card through the register at the bar. I dropped my voice. “So, am I supposed to know about your lady’s delicate condition?”

Cord couldn’t hide his smile. “We only found out for sure last week.” He looked thoughtfully over at Say. “I don’t think it’ll bother her if you know.”

“Still getting married?”

He looked surprised. “Of course.”

I was proud of my brother. He was really going to make this happen. He would have a family, a home, the good life. As my gaze fell on Saylor again I couldn’t help but feel a surge of affection for the girl who was giving all that to him. She saw me watching and shot me a funny look.

A few minutes later Truly brought my food out. Then she sat down in a chair and gave me a flat stare.

“You joining me?” I asked.

“I’m taking a break.”

“Will your boss pitch a shit fit?”

“No. He left to go run some errands.”

Cord coughed once and stood up. “Think I’ll see if I can be of any use in the kitchen.”

I took a large bite of the chicken sandwich. Truly watched me as I chewed and swallowed.

“There something you want to say to me, babe? Look, I’m sorry I took off so early this morning. Didn’t have anything to do with you.”

“What did it have to do with?”

I sighed. “Truly, I’m no good at this bullshit. Can you just tell me what’s on your mind?”

She toyed with her ponytail and looked out the window. “When’s your fight, Creed?”

I shoved the sandwich away and sat back in my chair. “Oh, that. I guess Saylor felt the need to tell you about it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about it?”

“Because when I’m with you I don’t like to think about a bunch of dirty bastards screaming for my blood.”

She wilted a little. I winced, wishing I’d taken it easy on the imagery.

“Look at me, Truly.”

She looked.

I pulled her chair close to me and placed a hand on each of her thighs. I didn’t know if I could put my thoughts into words but I was going to try. “Look, I don’t know what to call this. But I know that I think about you all the time.”

She touched my face. Her eyes were soft. “I think about you too.”

I had to tell her something I’d never told anyone before. My heart was actually pounding from it. “There’s no one else, okay? It doesn’t even cross my mind.” I took her hand from my face and kissed it.

“Creed.” She stood up and wrapped her arms around me. Our faces were inches apart. “Just don’t mess me up. Please.”

“Never,” I said but Emilio’s image crossed my mind. I didn’t tell her about that. Maybe I should have.

“So do I get to see you tonight?” I could hear the smile in her voice as she ran her hands down my arms.

I stood up, pressed her against me. “You can see me right now.”

Her breath caught a little and her eyes closed. “I have to work.”

“I’ll work you.”

She smiled but backed away. “Later?”

I sat back down, put my feet up on the table. “I’ll wait.”

Truly glanced at the clock. “I don’t get off until ten. You planning on sitting there for the next seven hours?”

“That is my plan. Better bring me another sandwich though. I’m starving.”

Before she walked away, Truly glanced back at me once with a happy smile. I was glad to have made her happy. I hoped nothing would happen to f*ck with that.

Once again I saw Emilio’s face and I felt a touch of guilt. Would Truly be smiling so much if she knew what I’d seen last night? If she knew what had happened to the last man who lost a fight to my future opponent?

Cord returned to the table and ordered more food. We talked about dumb shit and watched a baseball game on the television mounted over the bar. After a while Chase rolled in and joined us. He seemed tired but still kept up his usual mocking manner. I’d meant it when I told Truly I was sticking around until she was off for the night. Every time she glanced over and saw me still sitting there she seemed surprised but pleased.

Whenever I looked at that girl I couldn’t believe my luck. It seemed impossible that no other man had recognized that women just didn’t get any better than Truly Lee. By all rights she should have been snatched up long before I got to her.

Chase, being the dick he was, kicked me under the table. “That really does it for you, huh?”