Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“Good.” He flashed his dimples, and I was a goner. I’d stay, and I’d return for more, risks and all.
Chapter Twelve
Levi
“Hello, Joe.” I quickly rung up the drink Blake was already making for him. I’d been busy with the customers ahead of Joe, but now the rush seemed to be dwindling.
“Hello, Levi.”
The lack of impatient patrons behind Joe meant we could play our near-daily game of “let’s pretend we’re not boning” while we fucked each other with our gazes and telepathically passed dirty messages back and forth. Like I had absolutely added a Daddy to that greeting, and Joe was busy telling me to behave in public while he handed over his card and acted generically good-natured.
He nodded absently as Blake passed over the finished drink. “Think they’ll let you have a break soon?”
“Possibly.” I did my best not to sound too eager, even adding, “Have a great day,” as he pocketed his wallet and meandered over to one of the tables with another meaningful look, this one encouraging me to hurry. I didn’t waste time, either, turning to Blake as soon as Joe was out of earshot.
“I need—”
“—to go keep Daddy Bear company.” Tone teasing, Blake dragged a hand through his pink hair. I had no idea how he’d guessed about the Daddy thing, but he’d given Joe the nickname a few days earlier. The bear part was more obvious due to Joe’s appearance, but I didn’t know how in the hell Blake had zeroed in on a Daddy Dom vibe. It sure wasn’t due to me gossiping. I might enjoy eye-fucking Joe while working, but I’d stayed quiet about our friendship and let Blake relentlessly tease me about what else Joe had fixed last week, other than my smoke detector. “Yeah, I suppose you can take your break a little early. You’re lucky you’re cute.”
“I try.” Hanging up my apron, I rolled my shoulders, pretending like I was only moderately stoked to get the favor.
“You do. And the tip jar thanks you, Dimples.” It was about as close as Blake had ever come to saying I was doing a good job. But I was. Every day the job became a little easier. “Go on now, don’t keep your guy waiting.”
Was Joe my guy? I wasn’t sure. It had been a week, which wasn’t very long, all things considered. We’d had several work-related visits like this one, a couple of very long, very hot phone calls, a Wednesday-night pizza that turned into more frotting on the couch, and now another weekend loomed, one where I was hoping for more shared sexy fun, but I still wasn’t sure that made him my guy. Or that wanting him to be was advisable. A play partner, yes. But anything more? Not smart. Still, my pulse still revved as I zeroed in on Joe’s table.
“Hey. How’s work going?” I slid out a chair and sat down.
“It’s a day.” Joe groaned and stretched. “City inspector had one of our junior guys redo some things at a build site across town, so I had to drive out there, see what the problem was.”
“But you made it back here in time for your coffee?” There I went again, getting all pleased that he’d made time in a busy day to see me.
“I did.” His gaze was warm, intimate even. “Tell me you’re having a better morning than me.”
“It’s not bad. I was mainly on the register, but Blake’s showing me more and more drinks. I’m getting better at smoothies. No blender explosions.”
“That’s awesome. Good job.” It wasn’t a scene or at all sexual, but Joe’s praise still felt good, like earning an extra cookie after dinner or something. Made me all wiggly in my chair.
“And it’s Friday.”
“So it is.” Joe took a long sip of his drink. The skin around his eyes had more lines than normal. “Thank God.”
I wanted to smooth some of those lines, wanted to make him smile, wanted to make him feel as good as I did around him. “You should come over after work. Kick your weekend off right.”
“Yeah, that sounds great.” He gave me a tired smile. “And we need to expand your diet beyond pizza. I can— Hell.”
“What?” My weekend plans went poof in the face of his deep frown.
“It’s Friday night. I usually do dinner with my Dad. Last week, he had a thing. But this week, I was going to grill for him at my place.”
“That’s fine.” I nodded, trying hard to project a supportive, non-needy vibe. Joe’s family came first and, honestly, I respected that about him a ton. He didn’t need a hookup competing for his time. “Have fun. Maybe some other time?”
Joe took a second to reply, head tilting. “You want to come?”
“To dinner?” I blinked. I had been curious about Joe’s place, but dinner with the family was a level I hadn’t thought he was at all interested in. “With your dad?”