In The Dark

by Monica Murphy

  He sends me a look, repeats the water request to the waitress who then takes off with a flirty smile and a wink.

  An actual wink. Yikes.

  “Water?” Gabe asks as I’m reading over the menu. God, everything on here should just say fattening, really fattening or super fattening. There’s not even a salad option. “You gotta live it up every once in a while, don’t you think?”

  “I don’t like drinking my calories,” I say primly, finally lifting my head to find him studying me.

  “I fucking love drinking my calories,” he says, a lascivious smile on his face. “Seriously, their vanilla Cokes are awesome. So are the cherry Cokes.”

  Sodas pumped full of extra sugar. No thanks. “I’m sure they’re great,” I offer weakly. “But I’ll just stick with water.”

  “Well, then make up for what you’re missing by ordering their loaded burger special.” He waves his menu toward me, pointing out the item he’s recommending. “Giant burger with cheese in a basket of fries. It’s like heaven exploded in your mouth.”

  It sounds delicious. My stomach clenches in anticipation. I’m seriously hungry but no way can I eat a burger like that. With a ton of fries, stuffing my face like the pig I can be when I let go and just eat like I want.

  “Um, I think I’ll just have…” I look over the menu, trying to find the most inoffensive thing on it. “A grilled chicken sandwich.”

  “No fucking way.” He swipes the menu out of my hand. I turn to look at him in shock to find he’s glaring at me. Like he’s mad or something. “Are you trying to be one of those girls who doesn’t eat? Is that what you think I like?”

  “My menu choices have nothing to do with you,” I say, returning his glare. “I happen to be on a diet.”

  “Why?” He sounds dumbfounded. And can I admit how good it feels when his gaze slides over me nice and slow? “Your body is pretty bangin’.”

  My skin goes hot at his words. This is another one of those moments where I should be offended, right? But I’m so not. No boy has ever said I had a bangin’ body before. I’ve always felt chubby but the appreciative gleam I’m seeing in Gabe’s eyes right now tells me he doesn’t see chub.

  Which blows my mind.

  The waitress reappears, handing over the giant vanilla Coke and my water. “What can I get you?” She never looks at me, not once and I wonder if she’s even aware I’m sitting in the car.

  “Two burger baskets with cheese and extra fries,” Gabe says firmly, leaving me gaping. Say what? “And bring my girl a vanilla Coke, too.”

  The waitress sends me a withering look, as if she only just noticed me. I scrunch up my nose and wave just the tips of my fingers at her.

  Bitch.

  “I’ll be right back,” she says lacking enthusiasm as she takes the menus from Gabe and rushes away.

  “I didn’t want a cheeseburger,” I tell Gabe. I’m sort of reeling over the fact that he referred to me as his girl to the waitress. That was cute. And surprising. “I wanted a chicken sandwich.”

  He grimaces. “No, you didn’t. Trust me. That would be like eating a piece of cardboard between two pieces of bread. Besides.” He lets his gaze drift along my body again and this time my skin sizzles, like he literally just touched me. “You don’t look like a girl who eats grilled chicken sandwiches.”

  My mouth drops open in shock. Was that an insult or a compliment? I can’t tell.

  “Curves like yours don’t stick around because you eat grilled chicken and drink water.” He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. Just his finger brushing my earlobe sends a scattering of goose bumps across my skin. “Am I right?”

  He’s so right. And if he happens to like these curves then screw it.

  I’m eating that burger and drinking that soda with total abandon. Everyone’s allowed a cheat day. This one will be mine.

  Lucy can try and fool me all she wants but I knew the moment I first laid eyes on her she wasn’t like any other girl I’d met before. I mean, who struts around a pool knowing some perverted stranger—me—is watching you while wearing such a skimpy bikini? Those little stretches of black fabric could barely contain her and it was the hottest thing I’d ever witnessed.

  She is the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed. But she’s pretty closed mouthed. As in, she doesn’t give an inch. It’s all pleasant small talk and burger protests and no, please don’t force me to drink that vanilla Coke.

  But I did force her to drink that Coke and she fucking loved it. Her eyes slowly closed as her full lips wrapped tightly around the straw, sucking that drink up like she’d never tasted anything better in her life. I got hard just watching her.

  Proving that yes, I’m a total pervert.

  When the burgers arrived she didn’t hold back. Just attacked hers with relish and that made me hard all over again. She made these little moaning sounds when she ate too, and that wreaked total havoc on my libido. My muscles were drawn tight as I sat there, desperate to control myself while listening to her moan and sigh and whisper, “This is so good,” as she devoured her burger and fries.

  A girl with a healthy appetite is sexy as fuck, I gotta admit. And every time she leans forward to grab her soda out of the center console, she offers me a glimpse of her cleavage peeking out of the rounded neckline of her tank top. She’s wearing some lacy bra thing because I catch a hint of sweet virginal white lace covering those perfect tits every time she bends over too.

  She makes me sweat. My imagination is on pure overload. I shove my mouth full of fries, trying to temper my needs with food but it’s not working. I don’t want food.

  I want Lucy.

  “Tell me where you’re from,” I say after I swallow the last bite of my burger. If she wasn’t going to hold back, then neither was I. I lick my fingers, catch her watching me and put on a better show. For once, she’s the one watching and I’m the one performing. That look in her eyes is straight up hunger. “Why are you staying in that big house all by yourself?”

  She takes her napkin and very carefully wipes her hands off and I can hear the little grains of salt and seasoning hit the wax paper that lines her burger basket. “Why do you think I’m staying in that big house all by myself?”

  Good question. Lucky for her, I have a vivid imagination. “Let me think. Hmm.” I tap my chin with my index finger. “I’m guessing you’re a sheltered only child.”

  She looks surprised at my first assessment. “You’re right.”

  Triumph slips through me. I’ve always been good at reading people. It’s what makes me so good at poker. I miss playing, miss hanging out at the gambling house I run during the school year with Shep and Tristan. Though it’s also a complete pain in the ass too, like a real fulltime job. Oh, and the fact that it’s illegal just adds a thrill to the entire production. “Divorced parents, Daddy isn’t much in the picture.”

  Lucy says nothing but I can tell from her wide eyes that I hit the nail on the head again.

  “Is it your dad’s house?” I ask. She nibbles on her lower lip then nods her answer. “And let me guess. He’s a total workaholic who said he’d spend all summer with his baby girl and then he bailed at the last minute. He’s out on some sailing expedition with his new girlfriend who’s only a couple of years older than you and he won’t be able to make it home to see you during your visit. He hopes you understand though, and you always do. You just take his credit card and rack up a ton of purchases, knowing he’ll never protest because of his guilt over never seeing you.”

  She stares at me, her burger basket forgotten, her lips parted as if she’s trying to answer but having a difficult time finding the words.

  “Not even close?” I ask, raising a brow.

  “Scarily accurate,” she finally says with a little laugh. “Only he’s touring Europe with his new girlfriend. Daddy’s uncomfortable with being on large bodies of water.”

  “Ironic then that he chooses to live in Santa Barbara, considering it’s right by the ocean,” I
say, grabbing my Coke and taking a big sip. It’s almost all gone and I want more. Wonder if they do refills.

  “He likes the climate,” Lucy says.

  “Ahh.” I study her, let my gaze rove over her glossy dark hair still in that messy, sexy bun, her big, brown eyes watching me in return. Her lips are full, cheekbones sharp and her nose might be considered a little too big. Not that it matters. I think she’s fucking beautiful. “Where’s Mom?”

  “Farther south. Near Los Angeles.”

  “Uh huh. And I was right that you’re an only child?”

  She nods. “I always wanted siblings though.”

  “What happened? Mama couldn’t stand the thought of having more brats to take care of?” I smile to offset the harshness of my comment. I don’t want to be mean but I know how some of these rich ladies are. They have one baby, freak out over how disgusting it is, how their bodies are altered forever and all that crap, and never have another. I’ve overheard enough stories straight out of my mom’s mouth to know it’s true.

  “Mama wanted more babies too. It just…it was never in the cards for her.” Lucy sounds sad and I immediately want to change the subject. I don’t want to bring her down. Not tonight.

  “How was your burger?” I wave my hand toward her burger basket, which is currently devoid of any burger and is still filled with leftover fries.

  “Delicious,” she admits, sounding the slightest bit guilty. “I’m stuffed.”

  “Really?” I grab a fry and pop it in my mouth, chewing on the salty goodness. “You ate that thing like you haven’t had a real meal in months.”

  “More like weeks,” she admits. “I’m on a diet.”

  I don’t get why. Really I don’t. I wasn’t lying when I told her I thought her body was banging. Granted, I’ve never uh, dated—is that what we’re doing? Dating?—a girl with a body like Lucy’s before but that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate it. Because I do. I had my hands all over her last night and I didn’t even touch the good parts.

  “Why are you on a diet?” I try to keep my voice bland but I hear the disbelief. Does she?

  “I’m too curvy. I have a bit of stomach. Eating burgers and fries and drinking vanilla Cokes isn’t going to help my diet either.” She sounds sad again. Damn it. “But everyone’s allowed a day to cheat, right?”

  “Sure.” I shrug. “Can I say something though?”

  Amusement laces her tone. “Please don’t hold back on my account.”

  I turn to face her, my gaze locked on hers. She stares back, all humor fading, her expression turning serious. She licks her lips, making them shine and I’m desperate to lean across the console and kiss her.

  But I don’t.

  “I dig the curves,” I admit, my voice low. “Sometimes a man wants something to hold onto, you know?”

  She blinks. Slowly. “Okay,” she says, drawing the word out.

  “Not a stick figure with boobs on it. It’s no fun, cuddling with a bag of bones,” I say.

  More blinking. “Are you saying you want to cuddle with me?”

  “Anything you’re game for, I’m on board,” I tell her. Cuddling. Kissing. Fucking. Yeah, I’m up for all of it.

  “We’ve only just met,” she points out.

  “We’re getting to know each other.”

  “I don’t cuddle with a guy on the first date.” There’s that prim little voice again. I don’t believe it for a second. I think this girl could unleash on me if coaxed—and I’m real good at coaxing. I’d love to be the one who makes her fall apart.

  “Technically this is our second date.”

  Lucy rolls her eyes. “I don’t know if you’ve earned that second chance yet.”

  I pretend to be taken aback. Hand on heart, the whole deal. “You’re not impressed with my choice dinner location?”

  She shakes her head. “Not enough.”

  “I need to do more?”

  Her answer is a slow nod accompanied by a sly smile. “Definitely.”

  “Challenge accepted.”

  Game fucking on.

  We drive around town, my mind scrambling to come up with something to impress her. I don’t know this city well enough. I haven’t been striking out much on my own, what with the way my parents have shit planned all the time. It doesn’t matter to them that I’m a twenty-one-year old adult. Every person they meet, every place they socialize, they believe is advantageous. To both them and me.

  They have high hopes for me, my parents. They believe I’ll take over the family business. That I’ll meet a nice girl of their choosing and get married, merging two successful families and turning us into a dynasty.

  It sounds like a fairy tale from hell yet they really think this way.

  But fuck it. I ditched the family and I’m on my own tonight. Hopped in my car and I’m trying my damnedest to get this girl to give me another chance.

  The idea strikes me while I aimlessly drive and we stop at a frozen yogurt shop. The dirty look Lucy shoots me as we get out of the car could slay just about anyone dead but I’m made of stronger stock. I’m not letting her get all pissed off because I keep trying to stuff her face.

  Besides, I’m still hungry.

  I let her walk ahead of me, my gaze locked on her swaying hips and perfect butt encased in those extra short white shorts. Her thighs are full but not flabby. She has nice calves and ankles. Her hips are wide but they nip in, showcasing a slender waist. I wasn’t lying when I said she has something to hold onto. I could grip those hips and that ass all night long.

  “I’m not eating any of this,” she whispers to me after we walk inside. The brightly lit place is packed with people, the air chilled by the constant blast of the air conditioner and we stand in line together, the both of us eyeing our options.

  “I’ll share mine,” I offer and she reluctantly nods. I see the way she eyes all the toppings and I know I’m going to get mine loaded with a variety of them. I choose three different flavors, tell the girl working behind the counter a long list of the toppings I want until she starts giggling and when I take the cup from her, I’m surprised at how heavy it is.

  And this place charges by the weight.

  Lucy goes to grab a table while I pay. I take a bunch of napkins and two spoons and turn to find Lucy has chosen a table outside. I walk through the crowded shop, nod at a group of girls who look like they’re in their late teens, causing them to erupt in a fit of giggles.

  Glad to see I still got it. Not that I care about them. Hell no. I’m too intent on getting back to my date.

  Lucy shakes her head when she sees me approach, her gaze landing on my overflowing cup of frozen yogurt and candy. “You didn’t even get any fruit toppings?”

  I settle into the chair right beside her, wanting to get as close as I can. I offer up a spoon, which she reluctantly takes, though she lies it back down on the stack of napkins I brought. “I’m not trying to pretend this is a healthy snack like you are, Luce. And I’m all about the candy.”

  I dig in, waving my spoon at her to indicate she should have some but she doesn’t so much as attempt to lift her spoon. Frustrated, I scoop up some yogurt with a bunch of Reese’s Pieces on top of it and wave it in front of her lips. “Open up.”

  She tightens her lips so I can’t get my spoon past them. “No,” she murmurs.

  “You’re annoying.” I bump her mouth with the edge of my spoon, getting maple donut flavored frozen yogurt on her lips. “Come on. Live a little. You’re only young once.”

  Still no breaking her. This girl is tough. More like stubborn. She reaches up with a napkin and wipes at her lips and I bump her mouth again when her hand drops, smearing her lips with more yogurt.

  Her glare is full of fire and I take the proffered spoonful and shove it in my mouth. “You need to loosen up,” I say after I swallow.

  “And maybe you need to get more serious,” she returns.

  “No way. Being serious all the time sucks the fun out of life. I’ll have enough of ser
ious when I graduate college.” I swirl my spoon through the yogurt and candy, wishing she would just give in and eat some. “Until then, I’m having fun.”

  “Must be nice. To have so much fun,” she says, heavy on the sarcasm.

  “Don’t knock it until you try it.” I bump her shoulder with mine. “Come on, Luce. Try some. It won’t kill you.”

  “But it’ll go straight to my butt,” she says, her cheeks turning pink.

  “I happen to like your butt,” I say quietly.

  Her cheeks flush bright red. “Fine,” she says with an irritated sigh and I’m thankful she doesn’t grab the spoon I brought for her. I’d rather feed her myself.

  Trying my best to get as many toppings as possible, I gather up a scoop on the spoon and hold it in front of her mouth. She parts her lips, her gaze on mine as I slowly slide the spoon into her mouth. She closes her lips around it and I slide the spoon out, my blood flowing hot when her tongue sneaks out and catches a drop of yogurt in the corner of her mouth that the spoon left behind.

  Who knew feeding someone frozen yogurt could be so damn sexy?

  “So much candy,” she murmurs once she’s swallowed. “Between the soda and the dessert, I’m going to be riding a total sugar rush.”

  “Can’t beat that, right?” I feed her another spoonful, enjoying the pleasure that crosses her face as she eats, how she leans in closer and closer with every bite I offer. Her eyes close at one point and she makes this low, humming noise that I feel like a bolt of lightning going straight to my cock.

  Fuck, she’s sexy without even trying. Imagine if she had more intent behind all those sounds? I’d be a dead man. Slayed. Ruined.

  “Hmm, I think I need a nap,” she says once we’ve polished off all the frozen yogurt and toppings. “The sugar rush has turned into a sugar crash.”

  “Well, stay awake for a little longer because I have something else planned,” I tell her as I gather up the garbage and stand, tossing everything in the trash a few feet away from the table.

  “Like what?” she asks warily. She stands and stretches her arms above her head, her tank lifting and offering a quick peek of her stomach. Not that I haven’t seen it before but it’s a sexy tease, getting that little glimpse.