I cleared my throat as if it could somehow clear the thoughts of Ruger from my mind. Not to mention the butterflies brushing up against my insides when I thought of him.
The waitress brought over our order of burgers and fries, plus a beer for Peter and a Coke for me.
“Do you have brothers and sisters?” I asked, grabbing a fry and popping it into my mouth. Peter’s gaze dropped to my lips before he replied.
“Nah, it’s just me and my old man. What about you, do you have brothers and sisters?”
I wondered if Peter’s boss had filled him in on who I was, but decided he must have no idea for him to have even showed up for our date.
“Three older brothers.” Again, his eyes watched my lips. “But no sisters.”
As an awkward silence fell between us, I sipped my drink and picked at my burger, while searching for things to talk about.
“What made you move to Destiny?” I asked.
He smiled lazily. “Got into a bit of trouble back in Alabama after my old man died. Went off the rails. Did some stupid shit. My uncle lives out by the watermelon fields and invited me to stay with him so I could start fresh.” He took a swig of beer while I wondered what stupid shit he did back in Alabama that required him to start fresh in another state. But he gave me a reassuring look. “I’ve put that all behind me now.”
It didn’t matter. I had already made up my mind that a second date wouldn’t be happening. We were definitely missing that spark that warranted another night out and really didn’t have anything in common. So I was grateful when he paid the bill and suggested we head home.
“Let me walk you to the door,” he insisted as we pulled up in front of Ruger’s house.
Ruger’s bike was in the driveway, but I knew he wasn’t home because his truck wasn’t in its usual spot next to it. But he had left the porch light on.
“Well, thanks for dinner,” I said as we reached the door.
Peter turned me to face him and I knew he was going to kiss me when I saw the look on his face. I laughed nervously, suddenly wishing I had said goodnight to him in the car instead. I thought we were on the same page. When he abruptly suggested we leave the restaurant I thought it was because he felt the same lack of interest as me.
Instead, he bent his head and went in for the kiss. But as soon as his lips touched mine, I knew it wasn’t his lips I wanted to feel there.
I broke it off and stepped back, ready to say goodnight.
But Peter didn’t seem to notice my lack of interest. Instead, he grinned at me. “How about I come in for a nightcap.”
I hesitated long enough for him to push the door open and walk in. A little annoyed at his cockiness, I walked in behind him, certain more than ever that this guy had to go. Our date was done. We were done. The whole thing had been a bad idea. “Listen, I’m actually pretty tired. Can I have a raincheck on that nightcap?”
But Peter ignored me and moved into the living room as if he owned the place. I followed him closely, and when he stopped suddenly, I slammed into his back. Without warning, he swung around and smashed his lips to mine.
“Okay, that’s enough,” I said, pulling away from him. “I think you’d better go.”
He looked at me, frustrated. “You’re kidding, right?”
I frowned. I didn’t appreciate his tone.
“No. I’m not. It’s time for you to leave.”
His face darkened and a nasty glint came over his eyes. “You’re a fucking cock tease, you know that?”
My eyes darted to his.
“Excuse me?” I asked, taken back by his sudden change in demeanor.
“You heard me,” he said darkly. “You’ve been creaming those panties wanting me to touch you all night, and when I finally do, you play hard to get.”
Creaming those panties. What the fuck?
I recoiled further away from him.
“You need to leave,” I demanded.
But he ignored the warning. Instead, he walked toward me, predatorily.
“Why? Is your pussy too good for me?” He grabbed at me, and when I struggled, he wrapped his arms around me so I couldn’t move. “Come on, baby, you know you want to do it with me.”
He kissed me, this time thrusting his tongue into my mouth until I was gagging.
“I said no!” I yelled, ripping my mouth away from his. I elbowed his ribs and his hold on me broke. “Now get the hell out of my house.”
When I shoved him in the chest, he hit me so hard across the face, my head whipped to the side. Momentarily paralyzed by the sting, I quickly regained my senses and shook it off. Anger tore through me. No man did that to me. Feeling furious, I pulled back my arm and punched him right in his filthy mouth.