“Yes, ma’am.”
The hot look Jonas shot Deanna’s way practically sent her running up the stairs. She didn’t stop to catch her breath until she’d reached the upstairs landing. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gave in to the need to peek at the bedroom. Holy smokes, the room was big. A king-sized bed sat along one wall. A lightweight white blanket, trimmed with delicate blue flowers, covered it. The beautiful light pine sleigh bed gave Deanna plenty of ideas too. Naughty ideas. Of course, the panoramic view of the ocean directly across from it was pretty damn gorgeous too. All too easily, Deanna could imagine waking up to the warm Florida sun filtering through the gauzy white curtains, with Jonas’s nude body draped all over her. There she went again, thinking of the man. Lordy, he was more addicting than cupcakes. Deanna ruthlessly pushed the big lug out of her head and headed toward the bathroom. Food and a margarita, that’s what she needed. Once she had those two cravings satisfied, she could see about sating other hungers.
“You’re making me nervous,” Deanna growled, then proceeded to kick his shin.
Jonas winced at the sharp pain. “Ow, and why?”
“Because you seem utterly mortified by my choice of dinner entrées. They’re flautas, not snakes, Jonas.”
He dug into his beef enchiladas. With any luck, he’d need the energy later. “You fascinate me,” he replied after swallowing a large bite. “Besides, I’ve never seen a woman so small eat something so big.”
“Rude and insulting all at the same time. You’re seriously multitalented.”
Jonas took a long swig of his beer. “I don’t mean it that way. I’m just glad you aren’t the type to consider a few pieces of lettuce dinner.”
“I’ve always had a healthy appetite.” She shrugged. “Mom told me once that when I was little, I could eat nearly as much as Dean. It used to boggle her mind.”
Jonas pushed his plate away and leaned forward. “I like your mom.”
“Most people do.” Deanna looked around the restaurant. “This place is fabulous, by the way. I love the vibrant colors. And the cascading waterfall.” She pointed to the middle of the room. “Nice touch.”
“I can’t take credit for finding this restaurant. Wade discovered it.”
Deanna nodded and scooped up the last of her flauta. “Wade loves good food. Actually, Mom made sure all three of us knew our way around a kitchen.”
“Your mom is pretty terrific.” Compared to his mother, Jonas thought, Mrs. Harrison was a freaking saint, but he kept that sentiment to himself. “I remember the first time I met her. She hugged the stuffing out of me.”
“The family picnic, right?”
He winked at her. “And here I thought you’d forgotten that day.” Deanna remained silent, leaving Jonas to wonder. “So quiet all of a sudden. What thoughts are skittering through that beautiful head?”
She finished chewing before dabbing at her lips and sitting back in her chair. “Do you remember what you said to me that day?”
Remember? Jonas had all but branded his brain with the memory; he’d played it over and over so many times. It felt like yesterday instead of years ago. “I remember everything. Why?”
“You told me that meeting me had been the highlight of your summer. You couldn’t have meant that, so why’d you say it?”
“I meant every word, Deanna.”
She frowned and looked down at the table, then started to fiddle with her napkin. “But we rarely talked after that. It wasn’t until recently that you’d started on your relentless campaign to get me to go out with you.”
“You were too young then.” Jonas reached across the table and placed his hand over hers, gaining her full attention. “I had no business anywhere near you.”
Deanna rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away. “We’re only two years apart in age, you and I. And besides, I was hardly a sweet, little virgin when we met.”
“True, but don’t forget that I’d already been to hell and back,” he explained. “Wade and I have been to some of the worst places in the world. I’ve killed, Deanna. Trust me—you weren’t ready for what I wanted from you. Not then.”
“And what is it you want from me, Jonas?”
He grinned. “Naughty things, kitten. Very naughty things.”
Deanna’s lips twitched, as if attempting to hold back a laugh. “Behave, we’re in public.”
The waiter came around then and asked if either of them wanted dessert or a refill. Never one to drink much, Jonas had ordered a light beer. One was enough. When Deanna declined another margarita, the waiter left to get their check. Jonas pointed to her empty glass. “Why not order another? Live a little.”
“I’ve never quite mastered the art of holding my liquor,” she replied. He watched her root around in her purse a moment, before pulling out a tube of lip balm.
As Jonas watched her apply it, he nearly got distracted from her answer. Leaning forward, Jonas murmured, “Can’t hold your liquor, huh?”