I feel bad for the guy as he glances back with a scared look on his face. Tracker is intimidating, with his big arm around me and a scowl darkening his features, so I don’t blame him.
I step out of Tracker’s arms and give him a dirty look he ignores, instead picking up our plates and walking back to our seats, me trailing behind him. He waits for me to sit down, places a plate gently on my lap, then sits down himself. I don’t know why, but I find his actions charming. Chivalrous, even. He eats one of the small sandwiches in one bite, then grabs a chicken leg.
“What was that?” I ask, nibbling on a sandwich, then putting it back down on my plate.
“What was what?” he asks, eyes back on Clover, his own plate of food quickly disappearing.
I sigh, suddenly not feeling very hungry. “Never mind.”
“Did you want him?” he asks me suddenly. I lift my face from my plate to look into his eyes.
“No, of course not,” I tell him. “That’s not the point.”
I don’t really know what the point is anymore, besides the fact that I am both turned on and annoyed.
“Good. Then we don’t have anything to discuss,” he says calmly, picking up the gummy worms on his plate and casually putting them on mine.
“You don’t like gummy worms?” I ask, biting the head off a soft blue-and-yellow one.
“Nope,” he says, licking his lips. “Not a fan. I like watching you eat them though.”
I look away from his heated gaze, ignoring his quiet chuckle.
I shyly take another bite, not looking at him. He is a lot. A lot to take in. A lot of man.
“You’re cute when you get all shy on me,” he says, and I can hear the amusement in his tone. “Your cheeks go a pretty pink. It suits you.”
He really is free with his compliments. Is he like this with every woman he wants? I want to believe that I’m different, but I’m not naïve enough to think so. Or at least I don’t think I am.
“Glad to amuse,” I reply, taking another bite and chewing slowly. I shift on my seat, feeling his gaze on me. Tracker always makes me squirm. With just a look, he can turn me inside out. How does he do that? It isn’t fair.
“You more than amuse, Lana. You intrigue. Can’t remember the last time I paid this much attention to a woman,” he says, sounding surprised himself.
I cut my eyes to him and say dryly, “You really need to work on your pickup lines.”
He chuckles, eyes sparkling with humor. “Pickup lines are for men who need to talk shit to get a woman in bed. I tell the truth. Say what you want, but at least I’m real. With me, what you see is what you get. I don’t have to lie to get pussy.”
“Can you not say pussy?” I hiss. “We’re at a kid’s party.” I glance around, making sure no one heard. People probably think we are the worst babysitters ever.
Tracker looks down at me like I’m the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. “You’re so different from Anna.”
I eye him. What did he mean by that? In a good or bad way?
“How so?” I ask.
“You’re quiet and shy; she’s not. She’s blunt. Edgy. You’re sweet and gentle, but strong too. It’s a mix I can’t seem to get enough of.”
“Opposites attract,” I reply, addressing his original statement. “Anna and I just get along really well somehow. She’s a good friend. She’s also sweet and gentle—everyone has different sides to them. There’s more to me than being a little shy. Yes, I can take a while to open up, but once you know me I don’t shut up.”
“That’s true. I didn’t mean to put you in a box, I know you’re more complex than that.” He pauses. “Anna is very protective of you,” he says, eyes scanning my face. “Which tells me a lot.”
“Like what?” I ask, interested in what he has to say.
He rubs his palm down his jawline, and I can hear the stubble rasp against his touch. I stifle a sudden urge to run my cheek along the same path. “If you inspire such loyalty, it tells me you’re a good woman. Anna isn’t the type of woman to just stick up for anyone. And she fuckin’ adores you. Claws out, ready to swipe at just the mention of your name. She loves me and we’re pretty close friends, but for you she will get up in my face ready to fight twelve rounds. I think you’re the only one she’ll do that for.”
I smile warmly at the thought of Anna always trying to protect me. “She’s my best friend. We have each other’s backs no matter what. If she needs me, I’ll be there and vice versa. Everyone needs an Anna in their lives, or at least someone they can trust. You have your brothers; I have Anna.”
“You have my brothers too,” he murmurs. “The club will always look after you.”
I smile. “See, Anna just keeps on looking after me.”
He nods his head slowly. “That’s because you’re a damn good woman.”
I smile awkwardly, not quite sure what to say to that, while glancing back over at Clover to make sure she’s all right. When I see her laughing and playing with some other kids, I turn my attention back to Tracker.
“And you’re good with kids,” he continues. “You have that perfect mix of gorgeous, down-to-earth, and outright fucking sexy. Wifey material. Old-lady material. The type of woman who gets in deep.”
My eyes widen at his description. “And you got all that from the few times we’ve been together?” Is this how he really sees me? I don’t think any man has seen me as the type of woman who “gets in deep.” He thinks I’m outright sexy? I must be hallucinating.