Payton
"What I’m pickin’ up on, baby, is you’re a shit liar." He smiled. "So, how about you co with and we’ll talk so more."
I let out an irritated groan. "Have you not heard a word I’ve said?"
"Have you eaten?"
"Alex."
He pushed away from the car, closing the distance between us. "Babe, have you eaten?"
My traitorous stomach rumbled. "No. But I’m just a step away from a food source, so I’m all good."
"Co eat with ." Alex took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "We’ll talk."
"I don’t do this, Alex."
"Pickin’ up on that, Payton."
"Why are you pushing?" I demanded, but of course I still stood there holding his hand.
"Can’t tell you why, babe, just know I have to."
I studied him. Wrong choice. He was far too gorgeous for his own good and staring at him just made want to get naked, so I looked at my feet. But that brought into view his muscular legs and sexy as hell motorcycle boots, so I moved my eyes away, catching a glimpse of our hands entwined, a silver dog skull ring on his finger, and that just about had kneeling before him. Gah! I was far too easy.
"Fine. Dinner," I said, and pulled out my cell phone. I texted my mom to let her know I wouldn’t be ho for a few hours, even though my car was in the driveway. My parents were out anyway, so it’s not like they would be peeking out of the front room window to see who I was with, so I didn’t give them any further information.
After locking up my car, I let Alex lead to his truck. It wasn’t old, but it was certainly beat up. He held the passenger door open for and I had to climb into it, it was so high. As he made his way around the front of the truck, I took in the CB radio, grate between the front and back seats, and general disarray of the cab.
He climbed in beside and started the engine.
"What do you do?" I glanced around the cab. "Assuming you do sothing outside of the club."
"Bounty hunter."
"Of course you are," I muttered under my breath.
Alex laughed. "I get better looking by the second, admit it."
"Wow," I said. "Cocky much?"
He didn’t answer as he grinned and pulled away from the curb.
As we drove toward I-5, my phone rang and I pulled it out to find Macey calling. "Hey, Mace."
"Hey. Did I leave one of my bags in your trunk?"
"I have no idea," I said. "I’m actually not ho right now, but I can check when I’m back."
"Where are you?"
"With Alex."
"Shut the front door. How did that happen?"
"No clue. He just showed up at ho as I pulled in."
"Are you okay with that?" she asked. "’Cause I’ll get Dallas to track you and pick you up if you want."
I glanced at Alex who raised an eyebrow at before focusing back on the road.
"I’m fine, Mace. But I’ll keep that in mind if he gets out of hand."
"I want details."
"It’s just dinner."
"Still want details when you can talk," she said.
"Yeah, yeah." I smiled. "I’ll call you later."
"’Bye," she said, and hung up.
I dropped my phone back in my purse and glanced at Alex again. "Why are you called Hawk?"
"I was a sharp shooter in the marines."
"Did you do any tours?"
"Two. Iraq."
"Wow," I whispered. "Thank you."
He took my hand, linking his fingers with mine. "You’re welco."
"Where are we going?"
"What do you feel like?"
"Typically on a first date, I’d say sowhere I can get a salad."
"But?" he countered.
"But, that’s because I usually eat beforehand in an effort to keep the fact that I eat like a four-hundred pound man a secret for a while. And since I didn’t do that, I’m in the mood for burgers, fries, and a big ass chocolate shake," I admitted. "You wanted to get to know . Welco to the show."
Alex laughed. "Burgerville it is."
He drove to the Salmon Creek location and pulled into the drive-thru.
"We’re not going in?" I asked.
"Got a better place to eat."
"Let guess. So hidden and perfect place to hide a body?"
Alex laughed again. "Or fuck."
"Oh my god," I said, and pulled my hand away. "Don’t be disgusting."
"Nothing about that is disgusting, Payton. Trust . You’re gonna love it."
"I’m not having sex with you, Alex," I snapped. "Did you actually think I would?"
"Don’t get your panties in a wad, babe. I’m not expecting anything tonight except food and conversation." He smiled. "Besides, when I get you into bed, it’ll be sowhere warm and very, very private. Sowhere I can take my ti."
I shivered at the thought, swallowing several tis before I found my voice. "You’re not getting into bed, Alex."
"We’ll see."
We pulled up and I ordered a Colossal, fries, and Chocolate Monkey. Alex ordered the pepper bacon burger and fries, along with a pop, and then we drove out of the parking lot. Alex headed down I-5 and exited at Jantzen Beach, but headed to the Marina rather than the mall.
He pulled into the parking lot and turned off the engine. "You got a coat?"
I shook my head.
"No problem," he said, and jumped out of the truck, opening the back door, and grabbing a leather jacket.
"We’re eating here?"
"Yeah, babe."
I opened my door and gathered up the food, but before I could climb down from the cab, Alex was in front of , taking my burdens from and helping out. He settled a ridiculously large leather jacket over my shoulders and then took my hand and the food and pulled toward the pier.
"How do you have access to all of this?" I asked.
"I own a boat."
"You do not."
He smiled. "I do."
"What’s the na of your boat?"
"Gravy."
I choked as I swallowed a laugh. "It is not."
He chuckled. "It is."
"That’s probably the best thing I’ve ever heard."
Alex grinned again.
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