“The movie or the actors?” he asked, amused.
I sniffed. “The movies, of course.”
“Uh-huh.” He eyed the mess around me. “You know you eat like a bird most of the time. Had I known junk food was your thing, I would have taken you to a movie the first night.”
I laughed. “I don’t eat like a bird. I eat very well. But movie snacks are my weakness.” I winked. “And handsome, protective men.” I eyed him in appreciation. “You could have your own hero movie.”
He grinned. “Oh yeah? Tell me more, Ms. Raven.”
“I don’t think so. You’ll get a swelled head.”
He pushed away the bowl on my lap, leaning into me. “Trust me, Raven. My head is already swollen. It is whenever you’re this close.” He nipped my neck. “I told you that earlier.” He kissed the skin behind my ear, making me whimper. “Do you want to watch another movie, Ms. Raven? Or can I take you to bed?”
“Um…”
“Please, Ms. Raven.” He dragged his lips over my cheek, lightly pressing them to mine. “I’d show you my hero moves. I’m harder than Iron Man or Captain America.” He ground into me. “Let me show you how I can fly to new heights. I’ll take you with me.” He hovered over my mouth. “Please, ma’am. Let me make you feel good.”
I dragged his mouth to mine, and he chuckled as he slid his tongue along mine. We kissed endlessly, him tugging me to his lap. Our lips were slippery from the butter, sweet and salty from the snacks. Eager and desperate to taste each other. He spread his legs, pulling me down, and I felt his desire, hard and unyielding, between my thighs.
“Please,” I gasped. “Damien.”
He stood, his hand cupping my ass, his mouth ravishing mine.
And he showed me everything he promised.
Twice.
We pulled up to the coffee shop, and Damien slid the car into park. He looked at me, peering over the top of his sunglasses.
“Rules?”
“I walk into the shop, and I don’t leave without you being there.”
“If you get nervous?”
“I call you.”
He nodded, looking through the window. “Is she here?”
“The girl in the booth. With the light brown hair.”
“Couldn’t you sit farther into the restaurant?” he asked, tapping his thumbs on the steering wheel.
“The tables are twos, and there are some couches scattered around. We need the booth to work on.”
He huffed, and I laid my hand on his arm. “Egan was here ten minutes ago. You said he was around.”
“He is.”
“If you watch me walk in, then I’m covered.”
He nodded, the set of his shoulders stiff. I hated seeing him upset. I much preferred the laid-back, teasing, sexy man who kept me up most of the night. The one who woke me up this morning by carrying me to the shower and doing wicked things with his tongue that made me scream his name. I knew he hated letting me out of his sight, but I also knew if he was in the restaurant, he would distract me. But watching his distress mount, I relented.
“You can walk me in if you want,” I offered. “Stay and meet Deb, have a cup of coffee.”
He glanced at me with a frown, then sighed. “I’d feel better if I walked you in, but I’ll get the coffee to go, and I’ll leave.”
“Okay, that’s a good compromise.”
I waited until he came around to my door, holding it open and helping me out. His old-fashioned manners were a lovely change from a couple of the men I had met online. He carried my bag with one hand, his other keeping me close to his side. I felt his tension ease a little when we went inside and Deb stood, hugging me. I introduced them, and he shook her hand, polite and friendly. He set my bag on the booth bench and smiled. “I’m going to grab a coffee. Can I get you something, Ms. Raven?” he asked, keeping his voice teasing and light.
“I’m going to get a sandwich and coffee with Deb.”
“And one of their pieces of fudge cake to share, right, Raven?” Deb asked. “It’s wicked good, and we feel a bit self-restrained when we share instead of getting our own.”
Laughing, he pressed a kiss to my head. “Okay. I’ll leave you to your self-sacrifice. Call me when you’re ready to go.”
He sauntered to the counter, waiting patiently as the child in front of him took forever to choose the donut he wanted, then ordered a coffee. Damien chose a double chocolate donut and paid, then stopped by the table. “I’ll be going. I paid for your lunch, ladies, so enjoy.” Then he leaned down and kissed me again.
“Remember the rules,” he murmured into my ear, straightened, and walked out. I watched him get in his car, make a call, then slowly pull away. His gaze locked on mine as he drove by, his lips pulled down in a frown. I sighed and met Deb’s curious gaze.
“You have a story to tell me. I need to know when and where you met Mr. Tall, Dark, and Intense in the Lexus and why I haven’t heard about him until this moment. My God, he’s dreamy. And romantic—he walked you in and paid for our lunch. Girl, you better start talking!”
I laughed and picked up the menu. “Let’s get lunch, and I’ll fill you in.”
I glanced at the list of sandwiches, buying myself some time. I couldn’t tell her everything, but I could tell her something. I just had to figure out what.
DAMIEN
I circled the block, keeping my eye on the area, seeing nothing unusual—and no one in a hoodie hiding in a doorway. I parked the car, walked back toward the coffee shop, and headed up the ramp of a parking lot across the street. I found Egan in his spot, surveying the area. I settled beside him, handing him the donut.
“Anything?”
“Nope. No one loitering, looking in the windows, nothing. The only person to go in since you left was a lady with a stroller.”
“Good.” I took off the baseball cap I was wearing and ran a hand over my head. “You can go. I’ll sit it out until she calls.”
Egan lifted his shoulders. “I got nowhere special to go. Sofia is working nights, so she is asleep. I’ve got a bunch of programs running to find this ghost. I’m happy to stay. I can keep you company.”
“Great.”
I trained the binoculars on the coffee shop, zooming in on Raven’s table. They were eating lunch, their laptops open, papers on the table. She was listening to something Deb said, her brow furrowed, then she began to laugh, dropping her head to her chest and covering her eyes. Obviously, it was something personal. Probably about me. That made me grin. I would have to ask.
I looked around, stiffening at the sight of a man walking toward the coffee shop, his head down, wearing a hoodie. I made a noise, and Egan grabbed his binoculars, looking to see what I was reacting to. But I relaxed when the person lifted his head and I saw it was just a kid.
“I freaking hate those damn hoodies,” I muttered. “Everyone wearing one looks like a suspect.”
Egan chuckled. “I know.”
We were quiet for a while, then he turned to me. “Have you added any trackers to her things? Her purse or phone? In case…” He trailed off.