Monk (K19 Security Solutions 7)

“Not intentionally.”

“Ava said that you didn’t talk much.”

“Not usually.”

“I’m good with that.”

He smiled and took another drink of his wine.

“I told her I didn’t mind as long as you weren’t celibate too.”

Monk put his arm on the back of her stool and leaned in like he had before. “Not celibate.”

“Thank God,” she whispered. When she turned her head to pick up her glass, Monk brought his fingertips to her cheek so she was once again looking into his eyes.

“I want to kiss you.”

“I’d like that.”

His hand slid from her cheek, gripping her neck as he brought his mouth to hers. When his tongue outlined her lower lip, she felt something hard and round on its tip.

“Your tongue is pierced,” she said, backing away just slightly. “I like that.”

When he grinned and kissed her again, Saylor felt almost faint. His kiss alone was enough to heat her blood, but allowing herself to imagine how that piercing would feel as his tongue explored the rest of her body, brought it to a boil.

When she heard the bartender clear his throat, Saylor pulled back again, biting her bottom lip as she did. Good Lord, this man was hot, she thought as she fanned her face.

“I feel it too,” she heard him murmur, making her flush even more.

“We should eat,” she said, trying to bring the words printed on the paper into focus.

“We should.”

Saylor looked up from her menu; he hadn’t opened his. “Room service?” she asked.

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“What would you like?” he asked in return, motioning to the bartender.

Saylor couldn’t concentrate enough to think. Her eyes met Monk’s. He studied her momentarily before turning back to the man standing with his hands on the bar.

“We’ll start with the beet and Dungeness salad. Followed by the Rigatoni Amatriciana and the New York strip, medium rare.”

“Certainly,” said the bartender. “Any sides with that?”

Saylor shook her head. “Not for me.”

Monk stood. “Room 1012,” he said. “Add a bottle of the Stonestreet Meritage to the order.”

“Anything else?” the man asked.

“Please have the oven-roasted chicken brought to room 1014.”

“With a bottle of still water to each,” Saylor added.

Monk signed for the check and held his hand out to her.

“We’re in room 1014,” she said as they walked to the elevator.