The doorbell rang as she was going down the steps.
Opening the door, she was greeted by Evie holding two large takeout bags. “Dinner to go.”
Bliss took the bags from her before closing the door behind Evie, who had invited herself in.
“This looks like more than two steaks and salads,” she said, carrying the bags into the kitchen with Evie following.
“I put in a couple of baked potatoes and some grilled corn. We had an extra raspberry cheesecake I brought, too.”
“Let me get my wallet. You saved me a trip to Willa’s bakery.”
Bliss wasn’t surprised Evie had shown up to find out the gossip about her and Drake. She had seen the curiosity in her eyes when Evie had seen them together at the diner for lunch earlier in the week.
None of the women had been forbidden to talk to her; however, they preferred hanging out with the men. She had been the same way when she had been a member. Evie, though, had been over to hang out a few times since The Last Riders had tossed her out.
Evie waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s on the house.”
Abandoning her purse, Bliss opened all the containers and placed the food on serving dishes before putting them in the oven to keep warm.
“Drake doesn’t know you can’t cook?”
“I can cook,” Bliss said self-consciously.
“Microwavable cups of macaroni and cheese and soup don’t count.”
“They count when you’re hungry.”
Evie shook her head, laughing. Then her expression turned serious. “You must like him if you don’t want him to know you can’t cook.”
“He’s sexy as hell, and I want to fuck him, but that’s about the extent of my feelings for him.” Bliss threw the restaurant bags away and began setting the table.
Evie watched as Bliss took a candle from the counter, placing it in the middle of the table.
“How is he in bed?”
Bliss avoided her gaze, biting her lip. “I don’t know. I haven’t fucked him yet.”
Evie’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve been out with him a couple of times, haven’t you?”
“Four times, to be exact. This will make the fifth.”
“So, what’s the holdup?”
“He wants to get to know me better.” Even to her own ears, it sounded as lame as when he had said it to her.
“There’s no better way to get to know someone than fucking them.”
“I told him that,” Bliss agreed.
“Well, what did he say?”
“Nothing. He just smiled.”
“That’s strange.”
“I thought so, too.” Bliss nodded. “I’ve never dealt with a guy who put off fucking me. It’s weird.”
“You don’t suppose… Never mind.”
“What?” Bliss went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of wine she had been chilling. Opening the bottle, she poured herself and Evie a glass. If they were going to dissect her semi-relationship with Drake, she wanted alcohol.
“I’m sure he’s not, but …”
“What?” Bliss asked again.
“Do you think he’s into dudes?”
“You have met Drake, haven’t you?” There was no way Drake was into dudes. The man screamed sex on a stick, and she wanted to lick him like a popsicle.
“I’ve seen him a time or two at the restaurant.”
“He’s not gay,” Bliss said emphatically, her mind going back over her last date with Drake.
They had gone to one of the high school fundraisers. Drake was on the school board and had felt it his duty to participate. It was a pizza dinner, and she had helped him make over sixty pizzas, leaving them covered in sweat and marinara by the time they were done. She was disappointed when he drove her home instead of taking her back to his place.
“Winter thought Viper was gay when he was fucking all the women at the clubhouse,” Bliss thought out loud. “Drake was seeing a waitress at the diner before we started going out. Maybe he’s giving it to her instead of me.”
“Or the busboy.”
“Will you shut up? He’s not into dudes.”
“Bliss, if he hasn’t tried to fuck you yet, he’s into dudes.”
* * *
“This is really good,” Drake complimented.
“I’m glad you like it. Would you like some more?”
“No, thanks. I’ve had enough.” Drake placed his fork on his plate before rising to collect his dirty dishes.
“I was going to do that.”
He ignored her protest, placing his dishes in the sink. “I don’t need you to wait on me.” He then began washing them.
After Bliss carried her dishes to him, he loaded the dishwasher and started it.
“Want to watch a movie?”
“I want to fuck.” The stubborn look on her face tested his willpower. He had to admit it was becoming difficult to resist a woman so determined to have his body.
His expression became closed as he leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms against his chest. “You’re a feisty little thing, aren’t you?”
Bliss stiffened. “Don’t patronize me. I don’t like it.”
His expression became cold. “I’m not patronizing you. When I do, believe me, you will know it.”