was more than nice.” He leans in. His features distort with a look of ecstasy. “And, if you like—there’s more where that came from.”
That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.
Laney reappears with a tiramisu for each of us and plunks down two steaming mugs of coffee.
“The java’s on the house.” She gives a little wink before taking off.
Honest to God. We’re going to have to work on code words if she insists on pulling off these shenanigans. Like Coke Head or Foot Fetish.
He bears into me, leaning across the table as if he’s going to keel over at any moment. God, maybe he’s having a heart attack? Or he’s falling into a sugar coma? Personally, I’m rooting for the cardiac episode.
“You know what I’d like to do with this?” His brows invert giving him a slightly demented look.
Holy hell. Do I want to know?
“Inhale it all in just one bite?” A blocked windpipe on his part will do quite nicely.
He picks up his plate and places it carefully on the floor.
What’s he doing? Is there a small animal roaming the floor that I haven’t noticed? Is he trying to say the food is bad?
He leans forward and produces his wallet from his ass, and I’m slow to follow the direction this is heading.
He pulls out a bill just enough for me to see that it’s a Benjamin. “I’m willing to give you one hundred dollars if you dip your foot into that dessert.”
“Why would I do that?” I’m confused. Is that some social norm I’m not privy to that gives the establishment you’re eating at the big F you? God, I really have to get out more. If this is the case, society is experiencing a serious case of devolution, and soon we’ll all be right back to thinking the earth is flat.
His lips twitch with a smile. “So I can watch.”
Watch?
“What?” I jump back in my seat. Okay, I have to give it to him. I did not see that coming. I’m guessing the demented doctor can keep me entertained all night with his fetish requests and touchy feely fingers. In truth, I’m fearing for more than my piggies.
“Go ahead.” He tosses me the bill, and it lands square on the whipped top layer of my yummy Italian treat. Great, now he’s defiled both our desserts.
I glance up at the bar and spot Holt looking in this direction.
“I’ve gotta go. There’s a man at the bar that needs me.” I snatch the bill off my plate and run like hell.
I bet he didn’t know I charge fifty bucks a piece to feel my feet.
Freaky bastard.
Holt
Izzy flies over, and the idiot Laney paired her with ditches out the side exit.
“What happened? Did he touch you?”
“Yes, he touched me.”
Crap. I jump the counter and land next to her.
“You okay? You need me to break some kneecaps?”
“Yes.” She touches her hands to her temples. “I mean no. No breaking of the kneecaps. I’m fine. Let’s just say he was overtly interested in what I’m hiding in my shoes.”
Laney pops up with a ticked off look on her face. “What the hell? I just saw Dr. Lancaster run out of here like a fugitive. Did you say something to him?”
“No.” She holds up a hundred dollar bill and grins. “I stole his money. He said he’d pay me to plunge my foot in his dessert. He’s a sicko, Laney. Are you happy now? You’re two for two.”
Laney claps her hand over her mouth. “God, I’m so sorry! I swear I’ll make sure to thoroughly investigate the next guy I throw your way. You’re not mad are you?” She shrinks a little when she says it.
“No. I’m not mad.” Izzy takes a seat and glares down at her shoes as if she’d like to burn them. “How about we cap the age limit at fifty? And I don’t mind broke just as long as he’s not homeless or allergic to cats. And please no illegal addictions or fetishes.”
“Got it.” Laney strokes her sister’s hair. “I’ve got to finish up my shift. I’ll catch up with you Thursday at the party for ELDS?”
“Deal.”
Laney takes off, and Iz looks at me from under her lashes.
“I’ve got a hundred bucks. You up for dinner?”
I toss my dishtowel to Cole. “It looks like you’ve scored your second date for the evening. Anywhere you want to go?”
“How about Chinese take-out at your place?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have any video games would you?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve got a library that