I pulled back and licked my lip suggestively, not too much of a challenge in my current state of mind, before yanking his hand and pulling him towards the diner.
I threw a glance at the window facing the street and spotted a finger pointing in my direction. Two of the guys were eyeing me like vultures as I entered the restaurant with a smirk.
We took our seats, choosing a table that was close enough to be watched, but far enough away not to be heard. As Zach buried his head in the menu, I stole a furtive glance at Billy's table. I waited until I'd caught his eye before trailing my gaze down his body. I gave him a simpering smile and didn't pick up my menu until his cheeks were a hot red.
Yeah, he'd be an easy target.
Picking up the menu, I scanned the contents, not reading a word. I hated that I could do this. Trick people into believing something that wasn't real. I knew I was good at it. I knew I could pull this off without breaking a sweat...but it didn't take away the fact that I still felt like scum when it was over.
"So, what are you having?" The waitress approached and took our order. I noticed how quietly Zach spoke and once he didn't have the menu to hide behind anymore, I could see the tense set of his shoulders.
"You have to relax and go with this or you're gonna blow it."
"Well, forgive me for not enjoying myself. You have no idea how beautiful you are and watching you flirt with other guys is just a little...you know...harsh on the old self-esteem."
I couldn't help the smile that stretched across my lips. If only he knew the effect he had on me.
I knew I'd be breaking character if I reached for his hand and gently caressed it, so instead I ran my foot up his leg. "You know I only have eyes for you, right?"
He snorted and looked away from me.
"I know I'm acting all flirty right now and I need to keep that up, but in all seriousness Zach, you are the only guy that has ever made me feel..." I let out a breathy laugh, suddenly embarrassed. I couldn't look at him, because my cheeks felt like they were about to catch fire. Tucking a lock of hair behind my ear, I finally shook my head and whispered, "I don't know... you're just different. I can't help being myself around you and I love it. No one else has ever made me feel the way you do."
His eyes hit mine as I looked up. His expression softening with a look so pure and sweet, tears began to sting my eyes.
"Now stop being nice to me or I'm going to lose it."
Slouching back in his seat, he scowled at me. "What do you want me to do then?"
"That's better." I shifted in my seat, making sure my body was facing away from him a little. I wanted to appear like a sizzling couple that bickered a lot and the only thing holding them together was a lusty passion...one that could easily be thrown away for a better catch. "Start telling me something long-winded. Something that you think is interesting, but will bore me to death." I examined my nails before gazing around the restaurant.
Zach started talking, the edges of his mouth lifting as he began. "Okay, the day my parents left, I spent most of it in my pajamas watching Discovery Channel. I know that sounds majorly lame, but I was in a foul mood that day and Discovery Channel always make me feel better."
He tipped his head to the side. He was so cute at the moment, I wanted to kiss him senseless.
"I think it's because it's just show after show of really fascinating facts. There was one about Australia that was so interesting."
My character would be snoring right now, but I was Lucy and fully intrigued. I never really watched TV, but the idea of snuggling up on the couch with Zach and watching a show about some foreign country made my heart yearn. I forced an eye roll, running my finger over my bottom lip and trying not to look at Zach.
"Do you know that Australia has some of the largest crocodiles in the world? Some of them grow up to be 17-feet and weigh a thousand pounds." His eyebrows rose as he nodded his head. He was so impressed right now. I forced my lips to stay in a pouty frown. It was a really big effort. "But the coolest thing is the way they attack. They just lie in water, stock still as if they were dead, just below surface. They wait for their prey to get really close and when they least expect it, they just explode out of the water. It's amazing. There was all this footage, I couldn't believe it. I'll have to show you sometime."
I curbed my matching enthusiasm and flicked him a cursory glance. I kept my voice flat and my eyes downcast. "I have to say that you are so incredibly cute right now and I find your enthusiasm over facts like this a total turn on."
His eyes narrowed. "Haha."
"I know I can't show you, because of this role I'm trying to play, but believe me, if we were at your place right now and you had just said what you'd said in the same voice and tone, I'd be all over you."