Read Damen (The Marquette Family Book Two) for Free Online

me?”
    “So you’re not scared of me?” He smirked, waiting for her answer.
    Heaven studied his handsome face and recalled times they had laughed together in the library, hushed by the librarian and threatened of being thrown out. Damen had grabbed her hand and pulled her to the political science section of all places. At the end of the row, with people on both sides just feet away, he would kiss her. Then his face would be so red with embarrassment. They were older now, and Damen was probably way more experienced, but no, she wasn’t scared of him.
    “I’m not,” she said.
    He nodded. “So close your eyes.”
    She did. Her pulse raced, and her hands shook while she clutched them, but it had zero to do with the restaurant and all to do with the man in front of her. He didn’t touch her, thank goodness, but his low voice guided her through the brief exercise. To Heaven’s surprise, she found herself calming down.
    “Now, I want you to say, none of my tasks are important.”
    “But—”
    “Say it,” he encouraged gently.
    She did.
    “My survival is independent to this job.”
    She repeated his words. He was such a nerd, and her heart warmed.
    “Okay, open your eyes. Good?”
    Heaven looked around. They had only stood behind the screen for at most a minute, but she did feel better. “I can’t believe that worked. Are you a voodoo doctor now?”
    He chuckled. “Yes, how did you know?”
    “It’s in the eyes,” she teased.
    They laughed together.
    “You’re different, Damen.”
    His eyebrows rose. “Really?”
    Crap, she’d screwed up. “I mean I…”
    “Read up on us like everyone else, I assume. Well, don’t believe everything you read in the tabloids. I’m a nice guy. I haven’t seduced a hundred virgins.”
    “Oh, is that what they say?”
    “A hundred, two…”
    She shook her head and returned to work. Thank all that was good and holy Damen backed off enough for her to get accustomed to the routine. She was starting to think she could do this with the best of them even when her feet started hurting. Heaven had withstood greater pain that was for sure.
    “Heaven,” Tiff called excitedly, “party of eight in your area. Get on it.”
    Heaven frowned. “I don’t remember you being made my boss.” She glanced over to her area and found Tiff was right. Four of the patrons were big strapping men with guts, probably not the type to eat light. She swallowed and headed over with a smile. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Can I start you off with something to drink?”
    “No, we always get the usual,” the man at the head of the table said.
    Heaven poised her pen above her pad. Just what the heck was the usual? Turned out he had only been drawing in a breath. The man fired off an order of food that made her head spin, heavy dishes, meat-centered dishes, extra sides. If this was the usual, how were their hearts still ticking? Gravy, sauce, beef, starches, no vegetables, thanks, and start them off with beer.
    She cringed. “Let me run that back to you to make sure I got it right.”
    The man waved his hand. “No, don’t bother. If you miss anything, I’ll just send you back while we start on what we get.”
    “Uh, fine.”
    Heaven turned in the order, and when she got the call that her order was up, she pushed through to the kitchen to grab it. When she walked in, a wave of heat hit her in the face, bringing about beads of moisture on her forehead. Kitchen staff zipped all over the place, ducking and dodging each other. Heaven ignored them and looked toward the counter. She staggered a little. That huge platter couldn’t be hers, could it?
    Someone bumped her from behind, and she glanced around to find Tiff’s glaring face. “What are you waiting for, Heaven. I had those guys last week. They’ll kick up a dust if you don’t get a move on.”
    Heaven knew this bitch would love that, but she figured Tiff was right. She strode over to the tray and tried to lift it. Her arm muscles