Lib Novel Page 17
“Hey,” he said, flashing me with a smile.
Sweat had already started to bead on my skin and my stomach decided to protest its indignities at that moment, turning his precious smile into a frown.
“You, uh… want to get something to eat?” he asked awkwardly.
“I mean, I’m sure you have a busy schedule, so we should probably just—”
“Tell you what, you give me my wallet and I’ll buy you lunch. It’s the least I can do after acting like a fucking asshole last night.”
His words settled on me, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about his offer. In my experience, people usually weren’t just… nice out of the kindness of their hearts. At least not to me, anyway.
But I never let that stop me from being who I was. From helping people or giving parts of myself away.
Though what I had to offer a man like Grayson was beyond me, I still couldn’t begrudge him for trying to make amends, even if it was just because he felt guilty.
What kind of man would I be if I denied him the chance to placate his well-groomed conscience?
I slid my hand in my back pocket, if only to make sure I still had his wallet, the whole reason for the meeting, after all, which I did.
“I mean, that’s not really necessary…” I said as I handed him his wallet.
Grayson took it from me, his fingers brushing the backs of mine. The smooth, warm feel of his skin against mine sent a jolt through me, fueling my goblin brain once more as I wondered involuntarily what his body would feel like against my own.
Naked.
Before I could even stop myself, my cock sprang to life, and I pulled away.
“I insist,” he said as he waved me toward the line of people at the register.
Caught between a rock and a literal hard place, I didn’t want to be rude.
But I was also acutely aware of my current situation, and didn’t want to upset the already delicate balance between Grayson and I.
And I really was hungry.
Damn it.
“Fine,” I said, as I all but raced him to the line, keeping my sights trained on the menu if only to try and focus on unsexy thoughts.
Grayson came up behind me, and I could feel his warmth. My overactive imagination immediately wanted to dive off the deep end into more highly inappropriate thoughts, and it truly was a struggle to remain vigilant.
Fuck me sideways…
Just as the line moved, I did too, deciding I’d keep my order simple. Just a coffee and a smoked gouda and ham panini. It was my usual order.
“That’s it?” Grayson raised an eyebrow at me.
I shrugged, not wanting to appear as judged as I felt.
What’s wrong with a coffee and a panini?
“I like to keep it simple,” I said, feeling on the spot.
Grayson nibbled his lips, his gaze darting from me to the cashier. “I’ll have a prosciutto caprese melt with a bowl of tomato bisque and one oversized cinnamon roll.”
Judging from Grayson’s stature and shape, I truly wondered where the hell he was going to put all that food. I wasn’t the most in shape man in the world, but I would have bet my bingo winnings he was one of those health-food nuts who spent a lot of time at the gym
“Something simple, and sweet. To say thanks,” he said, flashing me with a smirk that only made my insides rush with warmth, and my cock spring back to life.