Oz places one hand on mine on top of the table and lazily strokes the inside of my wrist. Once again just doing what he wants. No question. It’s an intimate hold, like he’s been doing it forever. I stare at him, still shocked. I’m not sure if I’m excited about him being here or not. This wasn’t the outfit I had planned for when I’d see him again. I hadn’t come up with things to talk about yet. I take a breath, trying to calm myself. Dating isn’t like studying for a test, I tell myself.
“I’m Miles,” he says to Paige, holding out his other hand to her. She shakes it.
“Miles?” I query. I guess I only know his first name, or what I thought was his first name.
“Only you have the pleasure of calling me Oz, Mallory.”
His soft smile—along with knowing that something is mine only—makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. It makes it sound like we’re a couple and I have my own little nickname for him. It’s ridiculous, and I have to bite my lips to keep from smiling.
“The guy from the club and the one who’s been texting Mal?” Paige asks, dropping his hand.
“You’ve been talking about me?” His eyes come back to mine, the smile still lighting up his face. I don’t think I’ve ever really thought about a man’s smile before, but his makes me warm inside. And knowing I’m the reason for it makes me all tingly.
“Yeah,” is all I can manage to get out. Jesus, I’m terrible at this. “What are you doing here?” I say hurriedly, trying to cover up my awkwardness. I never thought I was shy, but then again, I’ve never been attracted to someone like I am to him. Something about him is different. Maybe because he doesn’t take no for an answer. When I push him he only pushes back and for some reason I like that. Probably more than I should. Maybe it’s the sweet way he does it.
“I come here a good bit. It’s close to home, so I can pop in for a quick meal from time to time. It’s nicer than sitting at my desk or alone at home.”
I immediately regret asking what he’s doing here. I had assumed maybe he tracked me down or something, but I see that’s not the case. If it’s close to his home, then that means he lives close to Paige and me. We’re only about two blocks from our condo.
The manager appears again, Oz’s drink in hand. “Can I get you anything to eat, Mr.—”
“Dessert,” he says, interrupting him again. The manager almost seems flustered now.
“I’m down with that,” Paige chimes in.
“She doesn’t share,” I add.
“One of everything then,” Oz says, slowly running the tip of his finger over my wrist.
“There are eight desserts,” the manager says, like he can’t believe Oz is going to order them all.
“Should I order two of everything since she doesn’t share?”
I laugh, knowing that comment will definitely win him points with Paige.
“Oh, I like him,” Paige says, and I laugh.
“I like that sound.” Oz’s eyes are on me like no one else is at the table. His gaze is romantically possessive as his fingers continue to slowly caress me.
“Hmm?” I lean in a bit more toward him, moving closer without thinking. I want to see if he still smells like warm amber and honey, a smell I can’t seem to stop thinking about now.
“Your laugh. It’s lovely. I like it. I like even more that I made you do it.”
I’m in way over my head with him. He’s too charming, too consuming and already acts like I’m his. I could get lost in him far too easily.
“One of everything should be fine,” comes flying out of my mouth. My face heats, knowing everyone heard what he said. He’s so bold with his words. Uncaring of anyone hearing what he said. It’s a little intimidating. You’d think I’d be used to it living with Paige, but he keeps knocking me off my feet.
My eyes dart over to Paige, who’s studying us. She’s quiet, which isn’t like her. Even less so when a man is hitting on one of us. She’s normally quick to shut it down or even poke at something they said, trying to irritate them.
“Perfect.” His finger strokes across my cheek, like he’s touching my blush. I actually jerk back. He pulls his hand away, and the look on his face is as if I struck him. For a second he looks almost pained.
“Sorry. You caught me off guard,” I try to explain, hating my reaction. I’m not used to being touched.
“No, I’m sorry.” He gives me a long look, one I can’t read, before pushing back his chair. “I’ll leave you ladies to it.” He extends his hand to Paige once again. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” She shakes his hand and nods.
“You don’t have to go. Dessert is coming,” I protest, guilt growing, like I made him uncomfortable or something. Wow. Maybe I should have tried dating in college, because I’m seriously awkward at this. Then again, I don’t think anyone I’ve ever met would have had me tripping over myself like this. Not to mention no one ever piqued my interest like this either.
As he turns back to me, his sapphire-blue eyes have something hidden in them. He leans down and gives me a kiss on the cheek, and for a moment he lingers there, his soft lips grazing where he touched moments ago, and I finally get that warm amber and honey smell I’d been craving. Desire runs through my body, and a chill races down my back, making my nipples hard. An audible breath leaves my lips, and I close my eyes, completely taken by the slight contact.