Side Squeeze (Jasper Falls 6)

By the time dinner was served, she was nice and tipsy and desperately in need of sustenance. She twirled her pasta between her fork and spoon and sighed as the rich sauce hit her tastebuds.

Sucking the spaghetti through her lips, she moaned, laughing as she realized she had an audience.

“Good?” Mauricio asked, staring intently at her mouth.

“Mm-hmm. Want to taste?” She twirled more pasta onto her fork and lifted it to Mauricio’s mouth only to still when Harrison’s firm hand closed over her thigh.

Mauricio didn’t notice and leaned in to accept the bite, humming with appreciation. “Wow, that’s delicious.”

“Did you attend culinary school?” Erin asked, oblivious or blatantly ignoring the tension on the other side of the table.

“I did for a short time, but then my focus shifted toward event planning.”

The touch on Mariella’s thigh dragged higher, teasing bare skin and hiking up the hem of her dress. She turned the fork around and fisted the handle, stabbing it directly into the back of Harrison’s wandering hand.

He cleared his throat, pulling his hand away, then leaned close and whispered, “I remember your hand jobs being much gentler.”

She elbowed him in the ribs. “Have you had any morning sickness, Erin?”

“Not much. But I don’t like the smell of raw chicken since being pregnant. Giovanni was making soup the other day and it chased me right out of the house.”

“I didn’t know raw chicken had a smell.”

“It definitely does.”

Harrison’s hand returned to her thigh and she stiffened. “Nothing’s worse than being around something that makes you want to puke.” She gave Harrison a pointed look, but he only chuckled.

If she pushed him away, she’d draw the attention of the others, and she definitely wanted to avoid that. Clamping her thighs together, she held his hand captive before it could travel any closer to her panties.

He smirked and sipped his water using his free hand to hold the glass. Setting the glass down, he touched his lips, clearing his throat with a cough and transferring an ice cube from his mouth to his free hand. The wet cube landed in her lap and she squeaked, parting her thighs.

“Did you say something?” Mauricio asked, just as Harrison’s fingers brushed the silk of her panties.

“I, uh, have to use the restroom. Excuse me.” She kicked Harrison in the shin and shoved her way out of the booth.

When she got to the bathroom, her body was in a full sweat. Irritated, she dug out her phone and texted him.

What is wrong with you?

* * *

Did you want me to join you?

* * *

No! And can you please not feel me up while I’m sitting next to MY DATE?

* * *

No. I can’t make that promise.

* * *

HARRISON!

* * *

That’s what you’ll be screaming tonight, when I have my mouth where my hand just was. I’m done staying away, Mariella. Game on.

Game on? Game on? What did that even mean?

This isn’t a game to me!

Nor to me.

That wasn’t fair! She was trying to move on, and he wasn’t letting her. Pissed, she washed her hands and returned to the table, only this time she planned to make her position unmistakably clear.

Harrison stood and she scooted into the booth, sitting extra close to Mauricio.

“Did you want dessert?”

She smiled at her date. “Yes, let’s split something.”

When the waiter returned, Mauricio ordered the chocolate mousse. Giovanni and Harrison ordered coffees and Erin ordered a side of mashed potatoes.

“Don’t judge me. The bean wants potatoes.”

Giovanni laughed. “The bean gets what the bean wants or everyone gets a stye according to Erin.”

Mariella laughed. “Where did that even come from?”

“Your Nona told me if anyone denies a pregnant woman a craving, they get merda occhi—shit in the eye.”

“That can’t be right.” She looked at her brother in question.

Giovanni shrugged. “I’m not messing with it.”

The dessert, coffee, and mashed potatoes arrived, and Mariella cuddled closer to Mauricio, which prompted him to spoon feed her a bite of the whipped chocolate.

She moaned almost sexually as the satin texture melted over her tongue. “Mmm, so good.”

Her brother looked appalled every time she keened, but she couldn’t let that deter her from making a point. Harrison deserved a spectacle. It was the only way to get through to him that she was moving on.

But as Mauricio fed her half the dessert, Harrison suddenly stood, throwing several large bills on the table. “Dinner’s on me. I have to run.”

“You’re leaving?” Erin’s expression filled with disappointment.

“I forgot about a call I need to make. It’s for work, so don’t put any pink eye pregnancy voodoo on me. I’ll catch you later.”

Erin looked accusingly at Mariella when she didn’t intervene or beg him to stay. They all knew Harrison didn’t have to make a call. But Mariella was on a date. What did they expect her to do?

“More?” Mauricio asked, holding out the spoon.