Page 10 of Tricia’s Manster

When Matt’s mouth leaves mine, a small whine works its way out of my throat, and I chase after his soft lips, needing another kiss.

His husky chuckle doesn’t help my libido any. It sends a shiver of pure want racing through me.

Opening my eyes, I find his soft gaze on me and a tender smile on his face. I can’t help grinning back. His hands go to my face, his thumbs running gently under my eyes.

I can see the smudges of black on his fingers even in the yellowy parking lot lights and inwardly I curse for not checking my appearance in the car’s mirror before rushing into the restaurant.

“You’re all wet,” he comments.

My thighs rub together, my clit tingling pleasantly.Yes, yes, I am wet.That’s not what he’s referring to, though.

Shrugging, I flip my wet hair over my shoulders. “Long story, but I got caught in the rain.”

He gives the door to D’Angelo’s an assessing look, then runs his searching gaze over my soaked form. “How about you go home and change and then we could try another place to eat?”

I live twenty minutes from here and there are zero restaurants near me. Plus, my stomach is making its unhappiness over the lack of dinner known with little grumbles and growls that are sure to pick up in volume if I don’t eat soon. “No, let’s just go eat. I’ve already wasted enough of our date.”

Matt’s big hand grabs mine and squeezes. “I’ll treasure any amount of time I get with you.”

It should be cheesy, but I’m a sucker for anything sappy and romantic, so I fall a little more for Matt.

His eyes dart away, and he clears his throat as if embarrassed by what he said. “There’s a Chinese buffet a few blocks over.”

“Yum. That works.”

He peers up at the darkening sky. “I’d suggest we walk, but it’s getting late, you’re already wet enough, and it’s probably best if we drive. Are you okay going in one vehicle? I’m right over there.”

I turn and look in the direction he’s pointing and see a big white Tesla SUV that I have zero doubts is his. “Nah, I don’t want to get your seat wet. Why don’t you just ride over with me?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Walking over to my tiny secondhand Honda Civic, I suddenly regret offering.Will Matt even fit in my car?

Even worse, when I unlock the doors and open mine, a whiff of stale fast-food fries hits me in the face. Matt’s too polite to say anything, though I notice his nose twitching as he eases his long body into the passenger seat.

He fits, barely.

It’s a shame we can’t walk there, because the drive literally takes us three minutes.

My stomach has revved up its complaining, so I’m thankful for no wait and happily pile my plate full at the buffet.

If Matt thinks anything about my overflowing plate when we return to our table, he doesn’t say a word about it. I notice his selections are far smaller in portion and don’t touch. I refrain from poking fun at him about that, and I call it a win on both of our parts.

I dig in, trying not to shovel the food into my mouth. Glancing up, I find Matt’s gaze on me, a small smile inching up the corners of his lips.

My cheeks warm up and while dabbing at my mouth with a paper napkin, I can’t resist muttering, “What?”

“I know never to get between you and your food. You might chew my fingers off.”

He’s not wrong.

Tossing him a grin, I pick up another forkful. “It’s a good thing to know about me. You’ve been forewarned.”

Matt throws his head back while he laughs, drawing a few curious eyes. The place is mostly empty, with only a handful of other customers, and they quickly turn their attention back to their food.

It’s a small restaurant and one I’ve never tried before. There are maybe ten tables in the entire place and the walls are done up in hideous red wallpaper with large bamboo and faded paper fans placed sporadically around. Despite the lackluster interior, the food is amazing, and I can see coming back here. “Do you come here often?”

After a long gulp of his iced water, Matt nods, his smile warming up further. Other than the slight misunderstanding over my interest in him, I don’t think I’ve yet to see the man without a smile on his face.


Tags: Lisa Freed Paranormal