Touch Me Not (Manwhore, #1)(30)

“You think I’d let you tie me up?” She gave him an are-you-out-of-your-mind look.

“Yes, Lily,” he said, turning his attention back to the road. “You are going to let me do just that. Not yet, but soon enough.”

“You’re insane if you think I’d ever agree to that.”

“We’ll see.” He smiled. “Are you hungry yet? It’s almost noon, and we still have another hour to go before we get to Windham.”

She was hungry, and her stomach rumbled at the mention of food. Nikoli laughed and pulled into a diner of some sort. She hadn’t even realized they were in a town. “Where are we?” she asked as they went in.

“We’re in Norwalk. At least that’s what the GPS said. Weren’t you paying attention to it?”

He could ask her that after his nonsense in the car? She shook her head, but followed the waitress to a booth in the back. It was a charming little place, seaside themed, but then again, they were near the coast. The waitress took their drink orders and left them to look at the menu.

“What are you frowning at?” Nikoli asked. She’d been glaring at the menu for the last few minutes.

“Do you think they have fresh fish or frozen?”

“We’re in Massachusetts, Lily, they have fresh fish.”

“Ohmygosh, don’t you ever watch Kitchen Nightmares or Restaurant Impossible?”

“Uh, no?”

Her eyes widened. “They’re shows that tell you what really goes on behind the scenes in a restaurant. You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen…”

“Is that why you asked for no ice?” Nikoli grinned. She looked appalled he’d never seen the shows.

“Yes! Do you know how many places don’t clean their ice machines? Have you ever seen what the bacteria looks like that grows when they don’t?”

“Nope, not a clue.” Nikoli shifted, bringing his right foot up to sit beside her left leg on the seat.

“What are you doing?” she asked, but before she could scoot, he moved his other foot, trapping her. He didn’t touch her, but he refused to let her move away from him.

“Stretching my legs,” he said. “Three hours of driving and they need it.”

“Well, then go take a walk or something, but move your feet.”

“No.”

“No?” she asked incredulously, and he chuckled. “This is not funny, Nikoli.”

“I’d disagree. It’s about as funny as you calling me a manwhore in front of everyone this morning.”

The poor waitress picked that minute to show up. Julie, as her nametag read, blushed as bright as a cherry and gave him a look he did not appreciate. “Are you…uh…um…ready to…order?”

“Cheeseburger and fries,” Nikoli said, scowling at Lily. She was grinning from ear to ear. Damn woman. He was not a whore!

“Is the fish fresh?” Lily asked, smirking at Nikoli.

“Yes, of course. The owner gets it from the docks fresh every morning.”

“Chowder then, thank you.” Lily smiled at her and handed over the menus. The girl nearly ran from the table. “Don’t blame me. That was all you, buster.”

“You’re supposed to be helping me with my reputation, Lily Bells, not causing it further damage.”

“Kinda hard to do when you blurt out things worse than a girl.”

Nikoli’s mouth fell open, and Lily burst out laughing. He was going to wring her neck yet.

“Are you going to move your feet?” she asked again.

“No.” She frowned, and he shifted both feet closer to her. He still wasn’t touching any part of her, but she started to fidget. He was hoping she’d get the nerve to push his feet away from her. It would force her to touch him. That first touch was going to be the hardest. He wanted it out of the way quickly. It was like the first time you rode your bike without training wheels. You knew you were going to fall, it was inevitable, but once you did, you got up, got back on, and took off again. That first fall was the hardest, but once you knew what was coming, you were okay with it. She would be okay once she got over that initial contact.

“Why the hell not?” she demanded.

“Because I like you trapped,” he purred. “It makes me happy.”

“Do I look like I care if your perverseness makes you happy or not?” she snapped. “I’m not happy, so move your damn feet.”

“Nope, you have to make me move.” Before she could argue, he interrupted her. “So, about this bet I never agreed to…”

“What about it?” She wasn’t even looking at him, she was staring at his foot.

“What in God’s name gave you the idea I’d ever put my car up for a wager?”

“Afraid of a little bet, Kincaid?” She looked up and smiled, really smiled, and Nikoli felt his insides twist a bit. She was gorgeous when she smiled. He’d seen her laughing and smiling, but not like this. It was genuine and happy.

“No, I’m not, dushka, but you should be.” He leaned across the table, invading her personal space. “Do you really think I’d ever lose my car in a bet, especially a bet about sex?”

“I told you not to call me that,” she whispered, pushing herself back against the seat and as far from him as she could get. Luckily, that was only a few inches.