“When’s the last time you drank alcohol, honey?”
She scrunched up her face for a moment. “About seven months ago.”
He almost choked. “And what did you drink?”
“I had some sips of my friend’s daiquiri. It was really good.”
Gavin pinched the bridge of his nose. He really wanted to put his hands around Jerry’s neck and squeeze. The fact he let this sweet young woman go on a date with a perfect stranger pissed him off. He just thanked God it had been him and no one else who got her.
The guy was back within a few minutes to set the drinks in front of them.
“We’re ready to order. We’ll take two specials, please. One with no beans.”
The waiter bowed. “Of course, Señor. I’ll be back with your meals shortly.”
Gavin watched Alexa sip at the drink for a few minutes. It wasn’t a large drink at all, but he could tell it had already affected her after drinking one-third of it.
“Honey, how about you just drink the water?”
She shook her head and giggled. “No, thank you. I like the way this makes me feel.”
He was about ready to reach for the margarita when the waiter set their plates in front of them. Hell, maybe some food in her belly would help.
When she dug in, he grinned. The smile quickly turned south at the sounds she made when she ate. Jesus, he’d been hard before, but now, his cock ached so much he had to grit his teeth to hold back his own groan.
Watching her eat was one of the most erotic things he’d ever seen. The way she moaned and her eyes would close after a bite. How she slowly pulled the fork from her mouth or gave her plate a satisfied smile.
“Aren’t you hungry?” she asked.
He focused on her eyes and then nodded. “Oh, yes.”
“Then why aren’t you eating?”
He picked up his fork and took several bites. It was one of his favorite dishes, but he didn’t taste anything that night.
The next time he looked down at her plate, she’d eaten a fourth of it and was setting her fork aside.
“Did you get enough to eat, honey?”
She grinned and patted her stomach. “Yes. Is it okay if I take it home with me?”
“Of course.”
She lifted the margarita glass with both hands, and she still had trouble getting it to her lips.
“Honey,” he said and reached for the glass. “Don’t you think…”
She jerked it away from him, surprising both of them. “No, I don’t remember being this happy. I want to drink a margarita all the time.”
It saddened him that it took alcohol to make her happy. What was her life like?
“You are beautiful,” she murmured.
His gaze jerked to her, and he grinned. “Thank you. I think you’re beautiful, too.”
“I’m not.” She carefully set the glass down and then leaned toward him as if to tell him a secret. “My step-aunt said I was ugly, and they should know, right?”
His anger simmered. “Not always. I can tell you that she was wrong with one hundred percent certainty.”