He pauses. Then, “I didn’t have that type of relationship with them.”
I try to process what he’s said, but fail miserably. “What type of relationship did you have, then?”
“One that benefited us both,” is his carefully worded answer.
In that very second I completely understand. Clearly the relationships he had were of a sexual nature. “Did they make you happy, though?” Because that’s all that really matters to me.
His long exhale tells me it’s a complicated answer. “I got what I needed from them, yes.”
“Which is the most cryptic answer ever.”
He laughs. “Yes, it is.”
Right then, Debbie delivers our dinners to us. Once she finishes up by placing my plate in front of me, she asks, “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thanks.” I’m practically drooling on my plate. “This is perfect.”
When Darius nods at her that she’s doing a good job, Debbie grins and leaves, obviously knowing she’ll get a great tip from him tonight.
I pick up a french fry and nibble on the end, trying to remember my manners.
Darius watches me a moment with raised brows then barks a laugh. “Taylor, it’s me. You don’t need your manners.”
“Thank God,” I gasp, grabbing my burger and taking the biggest bite I can possibly manage. I chew twice. Then, “Holy shit, this is to die for.” I moan, taking another bite. “They didn’t have anything like this in San Diego.”
“That’s a shame,” he murmurs. “Because I like the way you eat.”
I stop chewing and look up, finding Darius’s smoldering eyes directly on me. “How do I eat?” I ask, mouth full.
“With passion,” he says.
I forcibly swallow the food in my mouth, a flush of heat rushing across me.
He adds, voice low and rumbly, “It reminds me of when you take something else into your mouth with such intensity.”
My nipples tighten, desire pooling low in my body, just that easily. “Okay, that’s yummy and hot,” I say, cringing a little. “But so is this burger, so can you keep all that sexiness for later?”
One brow arches. “You’re picking a burger over me?”
I take another bite and moan. “But it’s a really good burger.” After another bite, I add, “Besides, blame the person who saved this restaurant from a slow death.”
He grins. “Done. I’ll ruin him.”
I lower my burger and grab a fry, dipping it in ketchup. “So, back to your relationships,” I begin.
“How about we skip that conversation,” he says, picking up his burger. “There is honestly really nothing to talk about.”
“In your eyes I’m sure that’s very true,” I argue, chewing the end of the fry. “But…”
“Taylor,” he interjects, voice hard, burger at his mouth. “I’ve taken you to your favorite restaurant and you can barely get a word out between the bites of your burger. Do you really want to be talking about my ex-lovers right now?”
I glance at the juicy burger dripping grease onto my plate. “No, you’re right, I don’t.” I grab the burger and shove it into my mouth, taking another big bite, and moan against the deliciousness on my tongue. But as I sip on my milkshake, watching Darius eat his burger, I’m only reminded that I need to be careful with him.
Five years without a single feeling toward a woman.
If I needed a reminder that Darius hasn’t changed his emotionally unavailable way, I just got it.
Chapter 9