The Lion and the Lamb

“Can I speak with you a moment?”

She looked at Kiki, and her friend winked. The backdoor opened, and Beau stepped in and wrapped his arm around his woman’s waist. She squealed in delight when he pulled her out of the building, the door slamming shut behind them.

Taking a deep, calming breath, Tatum walked toward Leo. He hadn’t spoken to her after he left her boneless at the beginning of her shift, but he had been watching her. She had seen him sitting in a rounded booth in the corner, a glass of something amber-colored always full in front of him.

Even now, she could imagine him leaning against the deep-red leather that was behind him. One arm slung over the back of it, the other resting on the table, and his fingers wrapped around his glass. His legs had been stretched out in front of him and crossed at the ankles. All of that had been a sight that left her feeling unhinged and very aware of the incredibly attractive and very dangerous man watching her.

She stopped in front of him and felt herself start to bite her bottom lip—a nasty and nervous habit she had. When she saw how he watched what she did with her mouth, she stopped immediately and instead felt that damn heat travel up her neck once again.

“How was your first night?” Voice pitched low, he lifted his eyes to hers and waited for her reply.

“I-It was fine, great even.” Her voice squeaked on the last word, and she tightened her hands on the strap of her purse. What was it about this man who made her feel so uncomfortable? It wasn’t a bad kind of nervousness, just one that made her acutely aware of her surroundings.

“Good, that’s real good.” The silence stretched between them, and she started to shift on her feet. “Listen.” He straightened to his full, intimidating height and reached into his back pocket, handing over a business card. “That has my personal cell number on the back, just in case you need anything.”

She reached out and took the card. The front had the same lion face as the sign out front, and nothing else. She flipped it over and saw ten digits scrawled on the back in masculine handwriting. Lifting her eyes to his, she smiled. “Thanks.” She didn’t admit she would never use it, because honestly, just thinking about him giving her his personal number could have sent her into cardiac arrest. She felt like a hormonal teenager who had just found out what the male population was.

“Well.” She pointed to the back door. “I better get going. Kiki’s waiting.” He nodded but didn’t say anything. For some reason, she thought he would have stopped her, or maybe she just wished he would. When the warm night air hit her face, she breathed it in. The smell of asphalt surrounded her, but it was a welcome scent. She didn’t know how much more expensive cologne she could have inhaled.

Kiki and Beau were pressed intimately against her car, their faces so close it didn’t leave anything to the imagination. Knowing them, they’d be at it for a while. It didn’t matter they’d been together for years. They acted like rowdy teenagers at every turn. It was actually sweet, and Tatum felt a pang of jealousy over missing out on something like that.

“It looks like it might be a while before you get your friend back.” The sound of Leo’s amused voice so close had her jumping in surprise. She spun around and almost ran right into the thick, hard wall of his chest. How had he come out the backdoor and she didn’t even hear him?

“God, you’re stealthy.” Her hand rested on her pounding heart. He smiled, which just made him appear even more devastatingly handsome.

“So—” He tipped his chin toward the couple still almost participating in a little public exhibitionism. “—you need a ride, or are you one of those who like to watch?” He wagged his eyebrows, and she couldn’t decide if she should be amused or pissed.

She smiled instead.

“Nah, but thanks. They’ll be done in a minute.” They both turned when Kiki chose that moment to moan loudly. Leo chuckled, and she turned to see him shaking his head, his gaze on Tatum.

“Really, I don’t mind. In fact, I insist.”

She shook her head when she heard the click-clack of Kiki’s heels on the pavement behind her.

“Hey, Tater.” At the nickname, Tatum groaned inwardly but didn’t miss how Leo grinned. “You ready?” She watched as Beau kissed and nipped at Kiki’s neck. She groaned and tilted her head to the side.

“I was just telling Tatum that I’d be happy to take her home.”

Kiki lifted her head, and her eyes widened. She looked between Tatum and Leo then back at Tatum.

“Really?” A hint of excitement crossed her face, and she smiled widely. “Actually, that works out great.” Tatum pursed her lips and stared at Kiki, hoping to express her irritation in just that one look. “Beau and I were actually going to go for a ride.” She wagged her brows, as if implying that she would be doing the riding. Tatum rolled her eyes and sighed. “I mean, as long as it’s okay with Tater here.”