Vivian Arend - Rocky Mountain Heat

He took his time, then wandered back slowly, wondering if he should nab a menu to peek over and figure out exactly what she was going to torture him with.

“Psst. Blake.”

Off in the corner he spotted a set of frantically waving hands. Two of his brothers stuck their heads from a hidden booth. Joel grinned like a maniac. Travis wore a more sarcastic leer.

“What the heck you two doing?”

They exchanged sheepish gazes. “Chaperoning.”

Blake scratched the bridge of his nose with his middle finger and listened with amusement to their whispered squabbling about whose bright idea it had been in the first place. “Seems more like stalking than anything. I doubt we need much watching, but if your wallets want a kick in the teeth—be my guest.”

Joel groaned. “You bastard. Had to pick the most expensive spot in town…and Jaxi can cook most of this for way cheaper.”

Bloody hell. “I’ve already heard that argument.” Blake stared at Travis. His bruises, courtesy of Jesse, had faded to purple and green. “I’m surprised to see you here.”

“Matt had some kind of urgent date pop up and cancelled at the last minute. I had nothing else happening tonight and Joel wanted company. I have no objection to eating steak while I watch you make an ass of yourself.” His anger was still there, simmering underneath the surface. Travis jerked and swore at Joel before deliberately changing his expression. Breathing slower, relaxing his shoulders. He grimaced, then glared across the table. “Sorry, Blake. Momentary lapse. Joel, keep your fucking feet to yourself.”

“You said you’d behave. Be thankful I’m not wearing shit-kickers.”

“Ass.”

“Takes one to know one.”

Oh, Jesus. Blake couldn’t believe this. It was as if they were all still in their teens at times. “Well, this has been wonderful, but I’m kind of busy right now.”

“You going to take her dancing later?” Joel leaned forward and stared down the length of the restaurant. Blake followed his gaze to find candlelight reflecting off Jaxi’s face. His heart thumped hard a time or two, just thinking how lucky he was to even have this chance. After all the times he’d pushed her away.

“Why? You boys want to show us how to two-step? Who’s gonna lead?”

Travis snickered. “Can’t be Joel. He lets Jesse do all the leading from what I hear.”

“Oh, that’s a load of bullshit, right there.”

The squabbling started again and Blake gave up. He had better things to do with his time than referee his brothers. “Have a nice night, boys.”

He ignored their continued whispered suggestions as he made his way back to his table. Jaxi had changed her seat and was now in the chair across from him. “You didn’t like the view?”

“Didn’t want to sit next to you. I thought it would be more fun to have a clear shot of your face as the food arrives.”

Oh sweet mercy. Heaven save him from this disaster of a get to know Jaxi better idea. “That’s a marvelous idea.”

She reclined in her chair and crossed her legs. One high-heeled shoe dangled from her toes as her foot bounced lightly. He stared in admiration, considering whatever it was that she’d ordered as a minor penalty to pay for the view he was enjoying.

At least, he thought that until the waiter arrived and placed a single plate between them. The pristine white surface had a tiny mound of twisted tube-like brown lumps in the middle. A thin line of dark sauce had been artistically drizzled over the entire thing in a zigzag pattern.

Jaxi leaned forward to examine the offering more closely at the same time he did. “What’s that?” he asked.

“Not telling.”

Blake grimaced. “Now, that doesn’t seem very fair…”

Jaxi shook her head. “If you know ahead of time what it is, you might be prejudiced to not like it just on principle.”

She picked up her fork, speared a small portion and placed it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, staring at the ceiling, not giving any indication if she liked it…whatever it was…or not.

Damn weird foods. Blake poked himself one and popped the piece in his mouth.

Fire licked over his tongue and shot from his nostrils. The sauce was a twist on a savoury barbecue, but the actual lump was like chomping on strands of combustible fiber. His throat burned as he swallowed, and once his water glass was empty he reached without thinking to drain Jaxi’s as well.

She stared, eyes widening. “What’s wrong?”

Once his throat was no longer an inferno, he lowered the glass with a sigh. “Nothing. Just enjoying our appetizer.”

Her mouth twitched, and she took another piece, lifting her fork in the air in salute before closing her lips around it. She licked the utensil clean and watched him closely.

Blake shuddered and valiantly took another try. There was no way he would admit defeat with Jaxi happily chewing not even two feet away from him. What kind of wimp was he anyway?

This time the chunk wasn’t anywhere near what he’d gotten the first time out. Tender and only a tiny bit spicy, the meat fell apart in his mouth.

“Hey, that’s not bad.” He prodded the food with his fork, leaning in to take a closer look.

“Blake!” Jaxi slapped the back of his hand. “Stop poking at it and eat.”

“But—” She gave him a stern look and that was all the warning he needed. He straightened up right quick, still trying to figure out if there was a way to tell the demon chunks from the angelic ones without sacrificing what was left of his tonsils.

Every bite after that was an exercise in anticipation totally different than he was used to around Jaxi. Her fire burned him all the time. These bastard hunks of meat seemed to have no rhyme or reason.

“Just so you know, I only ordered one thing for each course. I figured we could share.” Jaxi blinked innocently at him.

He laughed. “You minx. That’s an interesting way to get around the prices.”

“I have no idea what you mean.” She sipped her wine, batting her lashes, a sly smile sneaking out. “The appetizer was ginger beef, by the way.”

The empty plate was removed and a new dish brought. He barely heard her, the new item of potential torture holding him in awe. “Is that…still alive?”

She covered her mouth with a hand, her eyes shining like diamonds. “Oh dear.”

“Well, not that I’m saying no to trying whatever it is that you’ve got arranged here, but you got to understand that usually I kill the beast before I toss it in the pot.”

Jaxi shook with her laughter, tears running down her face. She wiped at her eyes with her napkin, before taking a deep breath and grinning widely. “Thank you for taking me out, even if this kind of fancy-schmancy thing isn’t what I’d want to do all the time. It’s been a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”

Blake tried to ignore the simmering pot that sat in the middle of their table, concentrating on her face instead. Nope. Didn’t work. The steam rising between them created a haze that kept drawing his gaze downward. He lifted his spoon and bravely scooped a bit. “You’re welcome. Gonna be nice this time and tell me what this is?”

Jaxi hesitated, before nodding agreement. “Stewed monkey brains.”

“Ahhhh…” He jerked to a stop with the spoon barely touching his lips. Five seconds later and he would have spewed all over the pristine white tablecloth. Her choked laughter started again, and he shook his head, delight filling him.

Damn woman. Damn fine woman.

Only two more courses to go. Heaven help him.

Matt clicked on the light beside the bed. The tiny loft apartment over the back barn hadn’t been used for a long time. He’d gone out earlier in the day to make sure it was clean and ready.