day. So, can we share a meal and talk casually about ourselves?”
Cocking an eyebrow, the giant mountain man asks, “Like a date?”
“No, like Reapers bonding over food and conversation.”
Goliath’s look implies he doesn’t view himself as one of the Reapers. Or that I can’t be a member because of the pussy that Taylor punched.
Either way, his reaction puts me in a sour mood. The Reapers let him live. He was tight with those assholes—Swamp Thing, Grabby, Cum Shot—who fucked with us. Goliath seemed like a threat, and Shane wanted him dead. River showed mercy, though. Goliath should feel indebted to the Reapers. Even if he doesn’t know his new president and VP well, this giant crotch-stain is aware that he’s been treated well.
“What’s wrong with your face?” he asks when I think of ditching his ungrateful ass.
“I’m thinking of how lucky you were to get paroled after all those Skullz died.”
“Don’t you mean how lucky you got?”
“Are you relieved you didn’t get iced?”
“I’m gonna die eventually. Shit happens,” he says in a voice laced with bitterness.
“So, you don’t care?”
“You’re the one thinking stuff. You can feel like we’re both lucky.”
“How am I lucky?”
“You can’t fuck a dead man.”
Frowning at his lack of emotion, I don’t know what I want him to say. No, I guess, I do. Goliath should turn on the charm for me like River did with Max and Shane with Ramona and Taylor with Kelsi and my dad with my mom. It’s not that fucking difficult!
“Fucking between us will probably never happen,” I say and try for a casual tone. “Why would you even want to?”
His gaze finds mine. “I like the thought of feeling inside you, girl. I just don’t know if the high-maintenance aftermath is worth it.”
“I’m not high maintenance,” I balk, even while wondering if I should double-check with Taylor on that. “I’m very laidback. If anyone’s high maintenance, it’s you with that beard and hair. Talk about prima donna shit. I feel sorry for the woman who calls you her man.”
“No one to feel sorry for. I never want a woman calling me her man.”
“Are you too wild to be tamed, Goliath?”
“Nomp. Not wild at all. I’m a tame tiger, but one that ain’t interested in being owned. I’ve done the relationship thing twice. It ain’t worth the hassle.”
“Huh.”
“Yomp.”
“What, yomp? And why yomp and not yeah? Are you precious? Is that why you talk differently?” I ask, lashing out because I’m not getting my way.
“Sure.”
“Can I call you ‘Precious’ instead of ‘Goliath’ from now on?”
“Call me whatever you want. What do I care?” he says, shrugging his wide shoulders.
According to River, Lineke and Goliath used to flirt when she was a waitress at a local restaurant called The Barnyard. He must have been in his early twenties. I assume prison or bad women killed his ability to seduce a woman because what he’s doing now isn’t working.
“Do you want me to leave you alone?” I ask, feelings hurt.
“I ain’t begging you to stay.” Goliath grins at my expression. “How come you throw yourself at me now, but got offended when I asked you to suck me off?”
“I don’t want to suck you off,” I mutter, ignoring the first part of his comment. “That seems like a sweet butt task. It’s not like they’re here for your personality.”
“Don’t get uppity. I’d have got you off too,” he says and makes a “V” with his index and middle finger before wagging his tongue at me between them.
“Did you stop maturing at fourteen?”
“If you’re looking for charm, why the fuck are you sitting here with me?”
“Fair point. I should leave you alone.” When I don’t get out of the booth, Goliath lifts an eyebrow. Shrugging, I explain, “I already ordered my sandwich.”
Goliath smirks when I pretend as if I’m waiting for my food. He knows I want to leave this table, but my pride won’t let me. Besides, I’m not grossed out enough by him to walk away for good. Though the idea of sucking off a man has me nearly ready to ditch this handsome dumb-fuck and retreat for safer territory.
THE GOLIATH
Lord have mercy, Shelby Campbell is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Except I’ve seen her plenty, but I still get hot all over whenever she focuses her bright brown eyes on me. And the sweater she’s wearing doesn’t help keep my brain in charge. Bright pale blue with pink letters across the front, spelling out “Live Your Life.” There might be other words underneath