Wild Open Hearts (Bluewater Billionaires) - Kathryn Nolan Page 0,65
then,” I finally said. “Although I’ve heard that boys with motorcycles have less-than-noble intentions.”
“Not a boy,” he corrected. “And you heard right.”
35
Luna
“Come here often?” I finally asked, when I was able to function again after having Beck confirm his less-than-noble intentions toward me. My body felt hot, nerves fizzing.
“I come here at least once a week, sometimes with Elián,” he replied. “Usually by myself. It’s my favorite spot in town.”
“Are you fairly solitary, Mr. Mason?” I asked.
Beck took a bite of his burger and I watched his jaw work. “I like people. But I might like dogs more.”
“A lot of people connect more easily with animals,” I said. “Do you like parties? Festivals? Concerts?”
He shook his head. “I like, well, this. One on one conversation. I like Elián, my best friend. And Wes and Jem.” His cheeks went the slightest shade of pink beneath his beard. “I like you.”
Beneath our tiny table, he slid his knee between my legs. I placed my hand on his knee, squeezed.
“Rooms with a lot of people make me nervous,” he said. “I spent most of my childhood at the MC’s old clubhouse. We had a house about a mile away, but the clubhouse was where everything happened. They didn’t see any issue with their son playing with blocks in the corner while guns were being waved around.”
I paused in the act of bringing a slice of tomato toward my mouth. Watched Beck.
“What was that like?” I asked, trying to keep my tone casual.
“Like spending every day with a live bomb in the middle of the room. And the fuse isn’t lit but half the people in it have matches. Does that make sense?”
“It does,” I said. Horrified. “Always waiting for the potential of explosion.”
Beck took a long drink of beer. “Juvie was like that, although most of the guys I was with weren’t actually violent. Just… backed into a corner. It was always loud.”
“Is that why you don’t like being the center of attention?”
“Where I come from, having eyes on you isn’t safe,” he said after a beat. “Less attention, less trouble.”
Beneath the table, I squeezed his knee harder. His left hand found mine and intertwined our fingers together, swiping his thumb in circles on the inside of my wrist.
“Speaking of,” he said. “Elián informed me this evening that I have to actually start doing my job.”
“For real?” I asked.
“Yeah, yeah.” He grinned. “No more chasing down stray dogs. Lucky Dog needs to invest. Speak to the public. Go to events. Start thinking long-term.”
“It’s a hard shift, but you’ll do it,” I said. “I experienced the same thing once Wild Heart was really taking off. It’s hard to leave the front line but you have the makings of a true leader, Beck Mason.”
“Don’t lie,” he said, edge to his voice.
“I’m not lying,” I replied. “And are you asking for my help?”
He nodded.
“I’ve got some connections,” I said. “What if I helped you find board members who have expertise in those areas?”
“Yes,” he said. “Like that.”
I brought my other hand to join his beneath the table. “What if we went to an event together? I could be your date.”
“I wouldn’t embarrass you?”
“Of course not,” I said. Louder than I intended because Kristen’s comments about my “association” with Beck suddenly reappeared in my anxieties. I’d thought I’d shaken off her insinuation that his supposed reputation was impacting Wild Heart. I allowed myself the briefest of fantasies—I liked picturing the two of us at an event together. I would be nothing but proud to have him on my arm.
But would it ultimately affect the success of Wild Heart?
Your detractors will be many.
“Luna?” he prodded.
I shook my head, re-focused on the gentle giant in front of me. Who looked so dashing all of a sudden I feared swooning off this rickety chair. Because Beck was watching me with such a happiness it caused my heart to kick around my chest like a soccer ball. What was happening? We were easily sliding headfirst into this date and I hadn’t felt this silly or relaxed or comfortable with a man in a long time.
Did those anxieties matter? Would the old Luna have cared even one bit?
“Nothing. Just picturing how devastatingly handsome you would look in a suit,” I said.
He popped a French fry into his mouth. Winked at me.
Yep. I was definitely going to swoon off this damn chair.
“So, uh… what first date questions do you want to ask me?” I asked. “Zodiac sign… favorite color…?”