Enemy Down - Cathryn Fox Page 0,23
their throat and we both turn to see Nancy standing there. Jeez, how long has she been standing there, and how did we not even know?
She has a knowing grin on her face as we push back to give her the room to set our food down. I almost open my mouth to tell her it’s not what she thinks, then change my mind. What’s the point? I can’t afford to eat at a quaint place like this, and won’t ever see her again.
She leans forward. “If you two need anything else, just shout.”
We both mumble our thanks, and I stare at the beautiful display of eggs benedicts and home fries. “Yeah, I don’t think I’m going to be able to replicate this, Christian. You might have bid on the wrong girl.”
“No, I didn’t.” My gaze goes to his, but he’s busy stabbing one of his home fries. With the way he’s focused on his food, I’m not even sure he realizes what he said.
I reach for my fork, and begin to eat, digging into my eggs benny first. A moan catches in my throat, and I briefly close my eyes. When my eyes open again, I find him staring at me. The intensity in his eyes as he gazes at my mouth dries my mouth and turns me inside out. I set my fork down.
“Christian?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you okay?”
His brow furrows, and he glances down like he’s fighting some internal war. “Yeah,” he says. “I’m just glad you’re enjoying your meal.”
“It’s delicious. Thank you for bringing me here.”
“See, not so bad, huh?” He winks, and I get what he’s asking. Not so bad that I’m his ‘sugar baby.’
“It’s still early in the game,” I say and we both chuckle, things a little lighter between us.
We talk about classes as we finish our meal, and when we’re done, he helps me to my feet, my boot feeling extra heavy this morning. He walks slow, like he knows I might be in agony, then opens the Jeep door for me. His brow is furrowed as he circles the vehicle and climbs in.
“Do you have to wear it twenty-four-seven?”
“Not really. I’m just the kind of girl who thinks if you’re going to do it, then overdo it, moderation is for pussies.”
He sits there staring at me for what feels like a full minute, then he bursts out laughing. I laugh with him and he shakes his head. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“What?”
“I think there is a whole side of Maize Malone that no one sees,” he says and grins at me as he backs out of the parking lot.
I take in the hard, handsome angles of his face, as I consider that. Maybe he’s right. All I know is I’ve been so focused on succeeding in life, I’ve not stopped to think about who I really am, other than an ambitious girl from the wrong side of the tracks with something to prove. That’s not a bad thing, but is that the only thing?
“What are your plans for the day?” he asks.
“To cook you breakfast, then homework.”
He smiles. “Let’s go get your books.”
“What for? I can do homework at my place.”
“From the sounds of it, your place isn’t even safe. You’ll be staying with me.”
I grip the rail above the door, and turn to him. “I’m not staying with you.”
“Yeah, you are.”
“Christian, you can’t tell me what to do. I have a room in a house, and that’s where I’ll be staying.”
Okay, this is ridiculous. As my brain says one thing, my ‘eggs Benedict Arnold’ body is screaming something completely different.
Ignoring me, he pulls onto the freeway, and jacks the music. Like hell he’s going to drown me out. I turn the radio down and glare at him and all he does is cast me a quick glance and raises his brow.
“Don’t like that song?”
“I am not staying with you.”
“Until the repairs are done on your house and it’s safe, you’re staying with me.”
“I told you the landlord is a deadbeat. He won’t even answer my calls.”
“Which is why I’m going to pay him a visit, once you tell me his name.”
Frustration seeps through my blood. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
I open my mouth, but can’t think of a good reason so I say, “You don’t need to involve yourself in my business.”
His head turns slowly, and those blue eyes lock on mine. I swear, being the sole focus of this guy’s attention is as disturbing as it is exciting. My breath