The diner was noisy and full of people getting a bite to eat for lunch. Many curious people stared at them and he knew they were wondering what was going on. If he had lunch here, it was with Lincoln or Melanie. His dates in the last two years had been very few.
She picked up a French fry and dipped it in ketchup, drowned it was a better description. He chuckled feeling lighter than he had all day.
“What?” She looked confused, popping the fry into her mouth.
“You can’t taste anything but ketchup,” he observed with a shake of his head.
Mia’s lips lifted up into a semi-smile. “How else you supposed to eat fries?”
Abel picked up his fork and picked up a fry with nothing on it. He waved it in front of her. “Plain.”
“Boring.” She rolled her eyes. “Thanks for bringing me, Abel. I know your sister roped you into it.”
“Not true. I enjoy your company, Mia,” he said honestly, and he did. He felt desire for the blonde beauty but he also liked getting to know her. She had waitressed back in New York and worked as a bartender. She h
ad even tried driving a cab once but hated dealing with the traffic. He hated knowing his lunch hour was over. He wanted to keep hanging out with her. It was risky but he felt an invisible pull to her that he didn’t like feeling. Yet, he also wanted to explore it. Maybe if he knew her better, had sex with her, he’d get over it. He had liked Lydia a lot, too, but nothing about her had been true. She played a part to rope him into taking care of her and her unborn child. He would have respected her motives more if she had been honest with him about the baby. The lie about the baby had crushed him more than discovering Lydia was a liar with no morals.
He took a deep breath and decided to take a risk. Keeping his mind from thinking about Mia was impossible. He might as well try something new. “Want to see a movie with me later tonight?”
She looked surprised and her mouth was in the shape of an O. He had to laugh. “Why so shocked?”
“I didn’t think you liked me in that way.” She almost choked on her sweet tea.
It was Abel’s turn to be surprised. He thought his emotions showed on his face. He had done a better job at hiding his feelings than he thought.
“You are a beautiful woman, Mia. Why wouldn’t I like you?” he asked out of curiosity.
“You’re very polite, but you don’t flirt with me. I thought you were just being nice to the new girl in town,” she replied calmly.
“Maybe I am not good at the whole flirting and being charming thing.” He arched his eyebrow, pushing his empty plate away from him.
“Come on. You’re handsome and popular. Surely you date all the eligible ladies in town,” she challenged him.
He shook his head in denial. “I work and work. But tonight, I would like to take you to see a movie. What do you say?”
He was relieved when Mia smiled and said yes. His heart thumped loudly in his chest. He hoped he didn’t live to regret this. If Mia wasn’t what she seemed, he’d be so brokenhearted all over again.
Chapter Six
“That movie was so hilarious.” Mia was still laughing as he walked her up the porch steps of her small white house. He found himself smiling often throughout the night. He enjoyed Mia’s company. The house was in back of Becky’s larger one.
“How long you planning on sticking around?” He had to know. Her porch light was on and he looked down at her. Her pale blue sweater brought out the color of her eyes. Her faded jeans molded to her very tempting body. She was a seductress without even trying.
She shrugged her shoulder as she dug her keys out of her small black purse. “For a while. I like it here. Brook Hollow is very peaceful and calm. I don’t feel so rushed all the time.”
Abel didn’t want to leave yet. “Invite me in,” he suggested. He saw her cheeks turn a pretty pink, but she unlocked the door and opened it. He followed her into the small entryway. He could see a small living room and a kitchen area. It had an open floor plan. Everything was neat and clean, but sparse looking.
Abel followed her to the kitchen. He sat at the small island. Mia grabbed two bottles of water and handed him one. She seemed jumpy but he found it adorable. She gave him a shy smile and suddenly he wanted to know everything about what made her smile and what made her sad.
This is about sex, Abel. Focus on sex.
Abel put his water bottle down and went around to where she stood. He heard her small gasp as he stepped into her personal space. Her lips were covered in a pink shiny gloss. He leaned down and placed his lips on hers. Her mouth opened up to his and he took advantage and explored. She was hot and his body hardened like steel from just one kiss. He was in trouble, but he was exhausting himself by fighting his feelings. “Mmm. Peach. I happen to love peach.”
Her lips formed into a smile and she tilted her head. Her blue eyes gleamed with amusement. “Oh yeah? What else do you love?”
He caressed her cheek softly. Her skin felt like warm satin. He let his fingers linger on her cheek. After weeks of fantasizing about her, he was here, touching her. “Your pretty curls that shine in the light. Your eyes that reminded me of an ocean.”
“Wow. Who said you didn’t know how to flirt?”