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my dad on
heels.”
    Smiling, I hadn’t realized Aaron’s family was well
to do. I just assumed because of his tattoos and friendship with Cooper that he
came from a rougher background.
    “What are your parents like?” I asked.
    “They’re two of the friendliest people you’ll ever
meet. My dad is always laughing this booming laugh. My mom is soft spoken, but
tough as nails. They raised me with a crap full of love and I never wanted for
anything. I wasn’t spoiled though. It’s hard to explain, but they were retired
and focused all of their attention on me.”
    “They did a great job.”
    Aaron smiled then startled me by standing up and
walking to my side of the booth. Leaning down, he smelled of barbecue, Coke,
and a hint of cologne. My lips opened for him without me even thinking.
Instinctually, I wanted to be closer to him. Hell, I wanted everything from
him. My mind was already imagining him against me in bed. I planned to explore
with my lips every tattoo on his hard body.
    When Aaron removed his lips, he licked them and I
shivered. He returned to his side of the booth and acted normal. However, I
could almost feel his heart beating and I knew what he felt.
    “I wish I could go home with you right now,” I
said, losing my filter.
    Aaron’s blue eyes held my gaze and I saw such
warmth. Yet, for a second, I spotted another harder emotion and felt him
pulling away emotionally. The coldness in his eyes lasted only long enough for
him to blink, but it cut deep into me.
    I realized Aaron didn’t trust me.
    “My family is low class, but I’m a loyal person,” I
said. “Like I don’t steal or lie or anything.”
    Aaron frowned at me. “Why did you just tell me
that?”
    “You looked like I might run off with your wallet.”
    Smiling slightly, he leaned back and studied me.
“More worried about you running off with my heart.” When I didn’t say anything,
he laughed. “Yeah, sounded corny, but I can see how you’d do a number on me.
Good thing you’re the loyal type, huh?”
    Nodding, I felt uneasy like I needed to prove my
worth or he might never kiss me again. A lifetime of insecurities rose up and I
panicked a little.
    “When I like something, I like it forever. I love
the same foods I loved when I was kid. I love the same music. The same
everything. I’m loyal.”
    Aaron leaned forward and exhaled softly. “You’re so
beautiful and I can’t get your face out of my mind.”
    “Really?” I asked like a dope. “No one’s ever said
that before. Well, no one who wasn’t trying to con me into sleeping with them.”
    “I don’t want to con you into anything.”
    “You don’t need to.”
    Aaron’s smile widened. “I’d take you home this very
second except I sense you’re supposed to return home in an hour or so. No way
would I be able to let you go that quickly.” Leaning back in the booth, he
sighed loudly. “I guess we’ll just have to pick another time for you to visit
my place. I can show you my dogs and…”
    Aaron didn’t finish. I saw him conflicted over
finishing then he shook his head. “I’ll just show you everything.”
    “I want that.”
    Aaron studied my face and I felt so alive with his gaze
focused on me.
    “I should be taking this slow. Playing it cool like
I don’t really care,” Aaron said. “I know how to play the dating game. Act
interested, but not too interested. Make the girl work for it. I know that
shit, but I don’t want to play anything with you. It needs to be real and the
reality is I want you.”
    Smiling wider, I sighed. “I’ve never been good at
dating. If I was good at it though, I still wouldn’t pretend with you.”
    “I came into Denny’s three times trying to talk to
you. Each time, I came in when you were on break or it was another server’s
turn. I wanted to ask for you, but what if it seemed creepy or like I was stalking
you. Games haven’t worked, so I’m all in with the truth from now on.”
    Laughing like an idiot, I could