Ignite (Wildwood 1)

“Seriously?” He flipped open the box, his mouth watering as he gazed at the pizza within. Growing up, he’d loved DeMarco’s pizza. Would occasionally dream about it over the years, which was insane, but that’s how much he missed it once he moved away.

He’d had it twice since he’d returned home. This was his third go-round. If he kept this up he’d be fat as hell and have a permanent case of serious heartburn.

She stared down at the pizza with longing. Actual, real longing etched all over her pretty face. “I try to watch what I eat now,” she admitted, her voice soft. A little sad.

West ran his gaze down the length of her. She looked perfectly fine to him. Too fine. Curves in all the right places, not too skinny, the type of body a man wanted to run his hands all over. “You look great to me.”

Her gaze met his, her eyes wide, lips softly parted. Completely kissable, if he was being honest with himself. He was half tempted to lean in and test it out. See if they’d have that same spark. See if she’d push him away or not.

But he remained rooted to the spot, not moving a muscle, not saying a word.

“Well, thank you. But that’s because I don’t eat DeMarco’s anymore.” She reached for the smallest slice and set it on the paper plate he offered her. “I’ll just have one.”

“Harper, you used to eat this stuff all the time. What gives?” He grabbed three pieces and stacked them on his plate. “And I have ranch out for you if you want to use it.”

“Oh, I can’t do that either. Just extra calories.” She shook her head and started to head for the table. His gaze zeroed in on the sway of her hips, the perfect curve of her ass. A few extra calories wouldn’t hurt that very sexy body of hers. Who was filling her head with such lies?

“Want a beer? Or does that have too many calories too?” he asked.

She sent him an admonishing look from over her shoulder before she settled in at the table. “Just water, thanks.”

Muttering under his breath, he grabbed her another bottle of water and brought everything over to the table, including the ranch dressing and the two beers he was now going to drink himself. He dumped a bunch of ranch on his plate then dunked his slice into it, taking a big bite.

Damn. He hadn’t eaten pizza with ranch in a long time. It was delicious.

The look Harper sent him as he chewed was now filled with pure jealousy. She wanted the ranch dressing, so why wouldn’t she just go for it? “Why are you depriving yourself?”

She nibbled on her tiny slice of pizza, like she was trying to prolong the moment. “If I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted it, I’d be huge.”

He snorted. “I doubt that.”

“It’s true. I’ve given up most junk food. I had to,” she said defensively.

“Well, that’s a damn shame. I get eating healthy. I prefer it most of the time. But sometimes, I want a burger basket from the BFD,” he explained.

“Or a huge slice of DeMarco’s pizza covered in ranch?” She raised her brows, nodding toward his plate.

“Exactly.” He set the half-eaten slice on his plate and licked his fingers just to drive her nuts. The way her eyes narrowed, he figured his plan was working. “It’s freaking delicious. You’re missing out.”

She made a face. “You’re mean.”

“You’re the mean one, torturing yourself.”

“Oh my God,” she mumbled, reaching out and grabbing the ranch dressing bottle, twisting off the cap. “You’re also ridiculous.”

“Says the girl who thinks she’s fat.” It pleased him to watch her squeeze a small dollop of dressing on her plate. She delicately dipped the end of her slice in the dressing and then ate it, her eyes going dreamy with pleasure.

His skin went hot. He liked that look. A lot. Even if it was initially caused by pizza and ranch, he’d like to be the one to put that look on her face eventually.

“You should have another piece,” he suggested after she devoured the first one. Before she could say a word he got up, grabbed the pizza box from the kitchen, and brought it back to the table. He flipped open the box, waving a hand. “Go for it.”

She sighed, then pressed her lips together. “Maybe just one more?”

“No judgment here,” he said solemnly.

“I’ll have to work out extra hard tomorrow to make up for this.” She reached for a slice, grabbing a much bigger one this time around.

He could think of a workout that they could indulge in together to burn a bunch of calories. Not that Harper would take him up on the suggestion. Not that she should. She was still recovering from ending her relationship. He was looking for nothing serious. He’d be fling material, nothing more.