once she’s ready. And then, if need be, we’ll dig out the shotgun and see how fast the canine can run.”
Adam sighed. “I just—”
“No ‘justs,’” Hunter told him, wagging his finger. “Let it go. Get rid of the frown. Let’s enjoy our meal.” He gave her a subtle wink that said, “I got your back.”
Adam licked his front teeth and then let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. Tell me what it’s like to live in an apartment that costs more than my house.”
Smiling, she smoothed a wrinkle out of the soft, white tablecloth. “Well, it’s pretty awesome.”
Just then, the waitress appeared and set their plates in front of them.
“I just have to snap a photo of this,” declared Hunter, his eyes bright as he stared at his meal. “I’m going to have a bash at recreating this at home.”
Just then, the happy birthday tune began to play out of the loudspeakers. Servers surrounded a circular table, clapping and singing along with the people seated there.
Forking some of her food, Devon smiled at the celebratory spectacle. And that was when the hairs on her nape stood up. Her gaze unerringly shot to her right, and her pulse skittered as she saw Tanner breezing toward her, his muscles rippling and bunching, every inch the predator. And his gaze was firmly locked on her.
Devon swallowed and put down her fork. His feet didn’t make a sound as he prowled along the hard, tiled floor. Eyes followed him, of course. Some people shrunk back, as if not wanting to earn themselves the attention of one of Knox’s deadly sentinels. Other people, mostly women, tossed inviting smiles his way. Bitches. Okay, that wasn’t nice, but she hadn’t said it aloud.
His golden eyes raked over her face with blatant possessiveness, glittering with something dangerous that made her scalp prickle. Even so, that good ole visceral, ever-present sexual chemistry pulsed between them like a heartbeat.
Unease snaked through her. If she hadn’t come to know him so well, she’d have been fooled by his cool expression; wouldn’t have picked up on just how pissed he was. Had something else happened? Was someone hurt? Or was it something to do with whatever was going on in his lair that he, Knox, and the sentinels seemed to spend a lot of time debating in private?
He didn’t stop at their table and say his hellos. He slid into her booth as if she’d been waiting for him; sat so close that his side was practically fused to hers. Before she could say a word, he leaned in and took her mouth. Just like that, her unease gave way to the need she harbored for him that always seemed to hum beneath her skin, as if lying in wait for him. That need crawled over her, pulled her under, drowned out her awareness of her surroundings and—
Someone cleared their throat.
With a nip to her lower lip, Tanner pulled back and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Hello, kitten. Miss me?”
“Like I’d miss a root canal.” She kicked his foot under the table. “Move over.” He didn’t. Well, of course he didn’t. Why would he?
His mind slid against hers just before his voice breezed inside, cool and gravel-rough. You didn’t tell me you were going out for dinner.
Such a casual comment, such a soft tone. And yet there was something so dark there that goosebumps swept down her bare arms. Something’s wrong. What is it?
He breezed his thumb over her jawline. You said you’d tell me if you ever had plans to leave the studio while I wasn’t with you.
He didn’t trust anyone else to escort her anywhere safely, yeah, she got that, but … I didn’t know about the dinner plans—Adam surprised me with them.
Hmm. He took her hand and circled his mark on her palm with the tip of his finger. You really think it was a good idea for you to go waltzing around the Underground when someone’s after you?
Maybe not, but … I’m not letting the son of a bitch stop me from doing something as important as celebrating the anniversary of—
Yeah, yeah, Dez told me why you’re here. No celebration is more important than your life, kitten.
Okay, he had her there. Tell me what’s really wrong. Because something was going on with him right then. You’re worrying me.
His expression softened. It’s not related to what’s happening with you.
“Fancy seeing you here, Tanner,” said Adam, a forced curve to his mouth.