Chapter Twenty-Three
“Have you always wanted to live in your grandparent’s house?” Night swallowed a bite of food and glanced up at her from his plate of spaghetti.
Summer shrugged. “Yes and no. I always loved the place growing up and wasn’t about to refuse the generous gift of the home and land when my grandmother passed. She made one of my dreams so much easier with the place.”
He tilted his head. “But?”
She wrapped the pasta around her fork, hungry after half a day filled with exercise in the form of sex. Her stomach flipped as the mere mention brought back a few images so exotic and decadent, she still had trouble believing she’d done such things.
“It’s a lot of upkeep. I’ll say that. Not that I’m complaining, it’s just that I seem to have a handyman on speed dial some months.” She met his gaze. “The trials and tribulations of home ownership.”
“All part of the deal, I’m afraid.” He stuck a fork full in his mouth.
“True. I’ll take the inconvenience over living in an apartment any day.” Summer sipped her water and sighed as she watched Night eat. They’d played most of the day and finally climbed out of bed late afternoon. Hungry, but in no mood to cook, she’d jumped at Night’s offer to go out to eat. While she embraced their alone time, she needed to spend some away from the bedroom today, chores aside.
His lips pulled a long noodle off his fork, the action both erotic and stimulating. Absently, she recalled how those same soft lips felt against her skin and another wave of desire washed over her. Damn hormones anyway. At this rate, she’d travel on the express lane straight to wanton.
A slow grin appeared on his face. “Hungry for more?”
She raked the room in an attempt to distract herself from the potential conversation. Unfortunately, she could no more ignore his comment than she could stop the rain from falling from the sky. Unwilling to give in easily, she blinked up at him. “I’m nearly full, but thanks anyway.”
His smile grew. “Uh huh. Why does your body tell me something else?”
Curiosity got the better of her. “I don’t know. What’s my body saying?”
Leaning in, he whispered, “That you want me.”
How on earth did he guess? She mentally shook her head. No telling with his keen observation skills. “I’ll always want you. Maybe even later.”
Night’s eyes lit up with sexual promise.
Her breath caught. I’ve gotten it bad.
She opened her mouth to comment, but quickly shut it back. Night’s gaze flickered to the door and his expression hardened into something cold and predatory. Bewildered, she started to turn in her seat, but his hand on her wrist stopped her.
“Don’t.”
“What’s wrong?”
He shook his head, wiped his hands on the napkin, and eased his seat back from the table. Bending down, he paused a second then sat back up, tucking a small handgun in the back of his jeans. With flowing grace, he stood and strode toward the cashier where another customer stood dressed in a long coat, a bit out of place in the middle of summer even with the off and on rain showers and cooler temps of the day.
The light-haired man appeared upset and agitated, as if angry or in a hurry. He waved his hand around, though he didn’t raise his voice enough for Summer to hear his words. However, she could easily read the cashier’s face, saw the fear and worry.
Night sprang into action, grabbed the man’s hand from his pocket, yanked it and a weapon straight up in the air, then twisted his wrist until a loud pop sounded and the man screamed. With a couple of nifty moves, he spun the man around, threw him to the ground, the gun clattering to the floor. Night took a superior position then held him down with a knee to the back of the guy’s neck. His head lifted until he peered up at the cashier. “Got any twine or something to tie him with?”
She nodded and scurried off.
The ease and expertise Night had used in disarming the man reminded her that her rescue by Night and his team was no fluke. They were highly trained and seasoned veterans, able to perform miracles under pressure and against the odds. She couldn’t thank them enough.
“Someone might want to call the police.” Night suggested as he held the perpetrator down, despite the man’s cursing and struggling. He wrestled both hands behind the guy’s back then held them in place until the waitress returned with some light rope.
An elderly man followed in her steps. He took in the scene then nodded. “Looks like you’re jolly on the spot again, Night. I owe you.”
Night inclined his head toward the man. “No big deal.”
“It was to me and the girls. Consider your meal on the house for today and in the future.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It’s the way it’ll be.” The old man stared at Night for a long moment then nodded.
The sound of a siren broke through the mutterings of the customers and workers. A few seconds later, two uniformed officers raced through the front door, paused then shook their heads. “Damn, man. Doing our job again.”
Night shrugged, easily moving with the struggling man, in order to keep him in place.
Summer had watched the whole event from her seat, but stood up and wandered closer once the police had taken charge of the individual. Her gaze found Night’s deep blue eyes and locked on. Her heart filled with pride and something more. Love.
Once before she’d declared him her hero. His selfless act today only strengthened his status in her eyes.
He stepped away from the group, wiped his hands on his pants then headed in her direction. Upon wrapping her in his arms, he leaned down to brush his cheek against hers. The light stubble from his five o’clock shadow tickled.
“You’re a warrior, through and through. Your ancestors would be proud.” She saw so much more in him than a good looking sex symbol. While his quiet manner and sternness might deter others, she’d punctured his steely exterior and found a golden heart underneath.
He stepped back and grinned down at her. “What do you say we take the rest of our dinner to go?”
Her libido leaped at the suggestion. “Sounds like a good idea to me.”
Life could be short and she wasn’t about to miss an opportunity to spend alone time with the man of her dreams.