Sariah’s eyes were serious for half a second then she grinned and turned to the lady. “We’ll have the pineapple fried rice, the pad thai, the papaya salad, cashew nut chicken, the red curry, oh, and the mango sticky rice.”
“Ah, yes. All the entrees you like spicy?” the lady pumped her eyebrows at Mack.
“Sure.” He shrugged.
“A three,” Sariah said. “He looks big but he’s too tender to stomach a five.”
The lady laughed, took their menus, and bustled off. A young girl brought them waters. Mack thought it was interesting they hadn’t even asked if they wanted a different drink.
“I’m tender?” he asked.
“Don’t even try to deny it.”
“Does that mean you aren’t afraid of me?”
“Why would I be …?” Her eyes lit with understanding. “I’m not afraid of you, Mack.”
“That means a lot to me.”
“How could I be afraid when I know you’re a big old wimp off the field?” She grinned to show she was teasing.
Mack felt relief rush through him. She wasn’t afraid and she knew he had a tender side. He reached out and put his hand over hers. “All right, you can tease me and call me ‘a big old wimp’ and make me eat at questionable restaurants, as long as you promise to spend tomorrow with me.”
Sariah turned her hand over and linked their fingers. “I’d love to, but I have school.”
“On a Saturday?”
She nodded. “Sunday and Monday are our days off. Lots of massage clients come in on Saturdays.”
“I’d say I’d come back for a massage tomorrow, but I don’t know how welcome I am there.”
She released his hand and tucked her hair around the right side of her neck then toyed with her water glass. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“No, I shouldn’t have brought it up again.” But he really, really wished he knew what had happened, especially now that she’d said she wasn’t afraid of him. He wanted to see past her hair, see if there was something wrong, but he wondered if it wasn’t more likely that some guy had scared her. That was the feeling he got from Hyde, and from everybody else who was overprotective of her. “But you’ll go out with me tomorrow night?”
She took a sip of her water and then gave him a mischievous grin, the teasing Sariah restored. “I don’t know, Mack Quinn. You’re counting your chickens before they’ve even been put in the incubator.”
He grinned. His knowledge of raising chickens was sadly lacking. “I’m hoping they don’t feed us a raw chicken in this place.”
“Oh! You are going to eat those words. An hour from now you’ll be begging my forgiveness for dissing on my spot and planning when you can come back. You’ll have dreams about this food.”
Mack would have dreams about her, but he doubted he’d dream about this food. “We’ll see,” was all he said. He didn’t care what the food tasted like, or if they were in violation of health codes. He was finally with Sariah. Maybe there was something wrong with her physically or mentally but he didn’t care. He was finally getting his chance to get to know her.
* * *
Sariah appreciated the easy flow of conversation with Mack as they ate the delicious food. He’d told her a little bit about his large family, explaining the connection of Scarlett Lily to his brother Griff. She appreciated hearing the truth of that interaction from his lips. Occasionally he looked searchingly at her, probably wishing she’d tell him why she acted so crazy at the school, but he didn’t ask again.
She’d ordered a lot of food, assuming that he could eat a lot, and he had proven her right. His manners were impeccable, and he made sure she always got first chance at a dish, but when she assured him several times that she was full, he cleaned off each plate.
“You ready to eat crow, my boy?” she asked as he ate the last noodle from the pad thai plate and she finished off the last bite of mango sticky rice. The coconut sauce was delicious.
He nodded. “I’m thinking of ordering some to take back to the hotel.”
She punched a fist in the air. “Yes! I knew I’d win this battle. I’m more battle savvy than Napoleon.”
Mack covered her hand with his own and she had to keep her head on straight as her body reacted to his simple touch.
“You’d win any battle with me,” he said.
Sariah gave him a sassy smile when she wanted to tell him her every secret and beg him to move to Colorado. “I hope I never have a battle with you.”
Mack studied her. “Will you go to dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
His smile made her stomach heat up.
“Big guy like the food?” their waitress asked.
“Very much. Can I get a pad thai to go? Level four heat. And another order of mango sticky rice.” He handed over a credit card. “Would you like any dessert or something else?” he asked Sariah before the woman left.
“No, thank you.” She couldn’t believe he had really ordered more food. Midnight snack? As strong as he was it probably took quite a bit of calories to maintain his muscle mass.
They chatted some more about their large families as they waited for the to-go order and then walked out to his rental. The ride back to the school parking lot passed too quickly and before she knew it, Sariah was standing outside her beat-up Civic staring up at Mack. The evening was cold but she hardly felt it as his warm gaze lingered on her.
“Thank you for an absolutely lovely dinner,” she said.
“Everything with you is a little sarcastic, isn’t it?”
“Ah,” she protested. “That was sincere through and through.” Sarcasm had protected her many a time and was pretty much the only weapon in her arsenal.
He chuckled and rested one hand against the hood of the car, leaning closer to her but not touching her. Sariah’s insides did a happy jig and she leaned a little closer as well. She doubted he’d kiss her, especially after her reaction earlier today, but he’d flown clear across the country and he’d said a man didn’t do that unless he wanted a kiss. Hopefully, that meant he’d try to pull her close again, this time without touching the right side of her face.
“Thank you for dinner,” she said breathily.
He nodded, his blue eyes giving her this beautiful smoldering look as he leaned even closer.
“Wowzers,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“I never knew real people could do that.”
“Do what?”
“That smoldering, I’m going to lean close and schmooze you with my beautiful blue eyes, like off a movie screen.” Her face got hot. She shouldn’t have said any of that, but she had to break the tension somehow.
He smiled as if he thought she was hilarious, but possibly a little unstable. “I’m guessing the smoldering look didn’t work if you’re making fun of me.”
“Oh, no, it’s working.” She gave in to the longings she’d had since the first time she’d seen him, all burly and tough in his football uniform, and placed both palms on his chest. “Whoa. Those muscles are … tantalizing.”
Mack gave her a soft chuckle. “Are you ever serious about anything?”
“No, not really.”
“Would you ever be serious about me?”
“Doubtful you’ll stay around that long.” Her heart was beating so fast. She knew this couldn’t last. Eventually he’d see her deformity and he’d be repulsed by her, or best-case scenario, pity her. Worst case, the media would catch wind of them and somehow expose her, like they had four years ago when Tyler’s other girlfriend took all those pictures and told so many lies to the media about her and Tyler, hoping to damage his political aspirations and destroy her life. Luckily it didn’t get much attention outside of Colorado but what if Mack somehow saw those pics? They were still online.
Mack bent closer and softly brushed his lips across her cheek. Sariah’s entire body heated up and all worries pushed to the background. Staying right in her space, he said, “You have no
clue of the tenacity of an offensive lineman, or a Quinn brother.”
Sariah’s stomach did a happy dance. Could the man she daydreamed about truly be the man that wouldn’t give up on her?
He straightened, opened her door, and waited for her to slip inside. “Six o’clock tomorrow, here?” he said, as if he hadn’t just upended her world by the simple touch of his lips, and made it impossible for her to sleep tonight.
She nodded.
“Can’t wait.” He shut the door, gave her one more grin, and sauntered to the Cherokee.
Sariah wilted against the seat, her eyes feasting on all those muscles working in synchrony. Being this close to him was better than watching him play football, and that was really saying something.
Chapter Eleven
Mack got a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Denver. He slept late the next morning then worked out for a couple of hours in the gym and ate breakfast before showering, getting his rental from the valet, and driving around Denver aimlessly. He found himself driving west and then up the mountain back to Sariah’s hometown of Georgetown. He wanted to go see her little brother, Josh, again but thought that might be too much. He contented himself with grabbing a couple of sandwiches at the Mountain Buzz Café then driving up the mountain pass. He stopped at a turnout that turned out to be a trailhead and went on a hike through the trees and along a creek. It was chilly outside and he felt awake and energized by it.
When he made it back to the Cherokee it was late afternoon. Only a few more hours until he could pick up Sariah. He drove I-70 for a while, simply enjoying the views of the mountains and then he headed back. As he left the towering mountains and headed east to Denver, his phone rang.
He pushed the button on the steering wheel. “Hello?”
“My favorite brother.”
“Navy! How’d you know I’ve been wanting to talk to you?”
She laughed. “Because you always want to talk to me. How’s life?”
“Great, but I need some womanly advice.”
“Whoa. That sounds intense, lucky for you I’m the woman to give it. What’s up?”
Mack stayed with the flow of traffic as he chatted. “I met someone.”
“Excuse me?” Navy sounded confused but Mack knew it was all a ploy. “You can’t date, you’re only like twelve-years-old.”
“Ha, ha. Try twenty-five, sis.”
“You blink and they grow up.” She gave a dramatic sigh. “Is this a serious met someone or is it like a Colt, I meet someone perfect every week, kind of deal?”
“It’s pretty serious.”
“Are you going to be following Ryder and Kaleb’s example into marital bliss?”
“Okay, not that serious.” Not that he was opposed to marriage or marrying Sariah, but he wasn’t one to rush into things. “What about you?”
She tsked her tongue. “Not talking about me and you know Colt’s too much of a player to get married and Griff’s too grumpy. So, I guess it is time for you. Mama needs grandbabies and all that business.”
“Does Mama give you a hard time about not giving her grandbabies?” The hurt in Navy’s voice came clearly through the line.
“Always, but once again, this isn’t about me. What’s her name and how’d you meet her?”
Mack changed lanes to let the Nissan riding inches off his bumper get around. “She came to my games all season, I got brave enough to talk to her after a couple of them. Then at the party celebrating the Super Bowl win we connected again. I couldn’t stop thinking about her so I had Griff track her down. By the way, did you know Griff dated Scarlett Lily in college?”
“No, and that is fabulous info to have, thank you.” Mack could just hear his sister’s brain clicking the info in to torment Griff later. He probably shouldn’t have shared it. “So, you found this mystery woman?”
“Yes. She lives near Denver. I took her to dinner last night. She’s amazing, sis.”
“But …” She drawled it out.
“There’s no but.”
“There is definitely a but. I know you, I know your buts in all forms. I changed your diapers for crying out loud. Tell me about the but.”
Mack laughed softly but this was why he wanted to talk to Navy. “She hides the right side of her face and neck with her hair. It’s really odd. I almost pushed the hair back yesterday and she freaked.”
He took the exit for Sariah’s school. It was close to six now.
“That is a little disturbing. So, what’s your question?”
“I just don’t know how to proceed. I don’t mind being chill and waiting for her to share her secrets with me, but what if there’s something really off with her mentally and I should ease back before I’m too invested?” The problem was he was already too invested and even though Sariah’s reaction had been intense he didn’t feel like she was crazy or anything.
“Why don’t you have Griff research her?”
“He told me ‘no more’,” he imitated Griff’s gruff voice, “after he helped me track her down, and I just don’t feel right about it. It’s her secret to tell, right?”
“Hmm. I guess you could look at it like that, or you could Google her and see what you find.”
Mack had thought about it, but he wanted to earn her trust and have her tell him … whatever secrets she had. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Hopefully, she’ll tell me about it soon.”
“So you’re camping out in Denver until she succumbs to your oversized charm?”
“The idea has crossed my mind.” He had to be back in Atlanta Monday morning, but he would fly here every weekend, if Sariah wanted him to.
“You are almost as sappy as Kaleb, you know that, right? At least he has Jasmine now to keep him in line. Will this girl sass you as good as Mama or I?”
“I think she could.”
“Oh, good. She might stand a chance with our family.”
“Do you think I’m crazy to pursue her this hard?”
“I think she’s crazy if she resists you. You’re the best guy I know, Mack. And I know a lot of guys.”
“Thanks, sis.” His sister and mama were tough, but they loved him and thought the world of him. He needed that right now as he was uncertain how to proceed with Sariah, but knew he couldn’t pass up spending more time with her.
“Tell me more about the Scarlett Lily thing.”
Mack smiled but regretted saying anything. Mack might be big, muscular, and intimidating to ninety-nine percent of the population, but Griff could still thump him. Griff was the toughest man he knew, and his brother had helped him find Sariah so he owed him.
He recounted the story quick, though, because he never told Navy no, but his mind was already wandering ahead. Less than ten minutes and he’d see Sariah again.
* * *
Sariah got done a few minutes early and hurried to the parking lot, hoping to see Mack’s rented Cherokee waiting there. She grinned when she spotted it and hurried over. Mack had his phone to his ear, causing her to stop abruptly rather than rip his door open and hug him because she was so happy to see him.
He noticed her, gave her a big grin, and swung his door open. “Love you. See you soon.” He climbed out of the Jeep, pushed end on the phone, then dropped it in his pocket. “Hey. How was school?”
Sariah envisioned him meeting her every day after school. She thought that would be just about perfect, but she needed to know something and quick. A shot of terror raced through her. “Love you?” She planted her hands on her hips and stared pointedly up at him. “Please tell me that was your mama or your sister.”
His grin grew. “Do I detect some jealousy, Miss Udy?”
“No, sir. But I am only party to monogamous relationships.” He had no clue how serious she was about this, but if he was already two-timing her he wouldn’t have let her hear the “love you”, right? Tyler had been amazing at keeping his girlfriends separate and oblivious to each other’s existence, until Denise somehow found out about Sariah and then tracked her down.<
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Mack chuckled and took a step closer, reaching out his large hand. Sariah couldn’t stop herself from putting her hand in his. It was a brisk spring evening and her hands were chilly. Mack’s hand around hers immediately warmed her hand and the smile on his face thawed her from the inside out. “So, you’re saying we have a relationship?” he asked in his melodious voice.
“Whoa, back it right up, boy. I said nothing about ‘having’ a relationship. But I might be open to the possibility of a relationship, in the future, not immediate future, but maybe not too far in the future future, if, and only if, you tell me who you just said love you to.”
“Wow. That was a whole lot of confusing lingo and I’m just a simple offensive lineman.” He arched one eyebrow, looking so handsome and doing that beautiful, I will gaze at you until you beg me to kiss you, thing with his eyes. “Do we have a relationship then?”
She laughed, though she was still churning inside with worry over that love you, and pushed at his shoulder with her free hand. Of course, he didn’t budge, but it was fun to touch his muscular shoulder. “You’re about as simple as Killer Sudoku.”
“Killer Sudoku?” He grinned.
“Tougher than regular Sudoku. I fail at it regularly and my teachers claimed I was good at math. What I’m saying is there’s nothing simple about you. The answer to your question is, if you’re a patient man, maybe. What’s the answer to mine?”
“I am pretty patient.” He squeezed her hand and admitted, “My sister.”
“Finally, he answers my question. And they say women talk in circles.” She prayed it truly was his sister. Part of her wanted to keep grilling him, simply because she hadn’t trusted an un-related man in the past four years, she’d acted crazy enough yesterday and she hated to scare him completely away.
Mack arched an eyebrow. “You’re claiming that whole spiel about relationships wasn’t talking in circles?”
Sariah giggled. She had never had so much fun bantering with someone. “Where are we eating?”
He shook his head, led her around the vehicle, and opened her door. “You’re the local, and I actually didn’t get food poisoning last night. Where do you suggest?”
Quinn Family Romance Collection Page 34