“You will not,” the man said.
“But why would you want me when I did a terrible job last time?”
They all looked confused.
“Who said you did a bad job?” one of the other guys asked.
“Oh, well, I just assumed.”
“Why?”
“It’s not a big deal,” she said. “It’s just when you didn’t leave a tip, I thought I’d done a bad job. But it’s okay. Not everyone leaves tips.”
“For one thing, you did a great job, and we all left you a hefty tip. Was someone else here at the table after we left?”
“Yeah, Liv was helping clean up.”
“Which one is Liv, honey?”
“Why?”
“Answer me.”
She looked around and then pointed to the other waitress. “I’ll go get her. She’s a much better waitress than I am.”
The first man who talked the most shook his head. “We want you, but I want to talk to Liv, alone.”
“Oh.” She didn’t know why she hated the thought of him wanting Liv, but she had to remind herself it was none of her business. “I think you’ll like her. She’s nice to people.”
“Is she nice to you?” one of the men asked.
“I … oh… Um, well. It’s just that I’m not very fun. I’m not simpleminded.”
The first man stood suddenly and cupped her chin. “Listen to me, little one. I don’t want ever to hear you talk about yourself like that.”
“But I said I wasn’t. I’m smart when it comes to some things. Just not about how society works or how I’m supposed to act.”
Shelby shivered when he used his thumb to caress her bottom lip. The feel of the caress shot directly on her clit, making her panties wet and her breasts ache. She didn’t have a lot of experience, but she did know this was passion. The depth of it was something she had not known existed. “Um.”
“Hush. You’re very sweet, Shelby,” he whispered.
“I … thank you. You know my name. What’s yours?”
“I’m Warrick, and the other two are Brett and Reid.”
She tried to move back, but Warrick latched on to her arm with one hand while using the other to smooth over her lips and face.
“Why are you touching me?” she asked. The fact she wanted to tell him to keep doing it made her feel shaky.
“Because I want to.”
Her brows snapped together. “I think this is one of those times I was talking about. I don’t know if you should touch me.”
“Am I hurting you?”
“No.”
“Do you like the feel of my hands on you?”
Oh, God, yes, she wanted to yell. She swallowed. “Yes.”
“Then it’s fine,” Warrick said. “Now, why don’t you get us the special and coffee but ask Liv to come over.”
“Why would you touch me when you want her?” The piercing pain shocked her at the fact he didn’t want her didn’t, but because no one had, she was used to it.
Warrick snorted. “Baby, I don’t want her at all. I just want to talk to her.”
“Oh.” For some reason, that made her feel good and gave her a bit of energy she hadn’t had before they came in. “I’ll be right back.”