Thankfully, the diner comes into view. It looks like an old-fashioned rail car with retro, fifties-style neon lettering on the front that says The Lone Star Station. I pull into a spot close to the door.
Turning off the engine, I hold out my hand to help Kat dismount. Her small hand fits in mine, and I grip her tightly until she’s on the ground. When she pulls off my helmet, her hair cascades everywhere. It’s like one of those shampoo commercials in slow motion. The sun catching her highlights. Strands tumbling around her beautiful face. I catch a whiff of her scent and resist the urge to reach out and touch a soft tendril.
“Thanks for bringing me to work. I can probably catch a ride home later.” Her cheeks are pink from the cold.
When I motion for my helmet, she hands it to me. “What time do you get off?”
She gathers her thick hair and twists it back. “Probably around five or six. I just need to help through the lunch-hour rush and prep for dinner.”
“Call me when you’re ready, and I’ll come get you. What’s your number? I should have it anyway.” Grabbing my cell, I call her, and once she has my info on her phone, she worries that plump bottom lip, one I’m dying to taste.
“Thanks for everything last night. Sorry about freaking out. Again.”
“It’s been a rough week. Probably par for the course.”
“Maybe, but I wanted you to know I appreciate it.”
I motion toward the diner. “Sorry you have to work this week.”
“They needed the help. Plus, I kinda need the job.”
She pulls her jacket around her tighter, and I tell her with a wink, “I should pay you more.”
Her whole face lights up when she smiles again. “You don’t pay me anything.”
“Exactly. I should pay you more.” I tap her nose and she laughs.
When our eyes connect, I feel it, this energy that snaps and crackles between us, making me want to fist her hair and drag her mouth to mine.
“That was fun.” She motions toward my bike. “How about we go for a long ride some time?”
My whole body burns. “Kat, I’d love to give you a long ride.”
More than you know.
24
Brady
The diner is still busy when I return several hours later. Parking myself on a stool at the counter, I grab a menu and wait for Kat. My eyes scan the images on the shiny pages. Burgers. Fries. Shakes. Typical American fare.
Kat’s bubbly laughter catches my attention. Turning, I see her in the back, taking the orders for several baseball players at a booth. Her hair is up in one of those crazy ponytails that makes her look young and free-spirited, and the guys are staring at her like she’s an entree.
When she sets down their drinks and one guy openly stares at her breasts, my jaw clenches.
Chill, man.
Returning my attention to the menu, I try to focus on the words in front of me.
You’re thinking crazy. I should not be feeling so possessive of her. Nothing can happen between us. Nothing. I remind myself of all of the reasons why, the biggest of which is we live half a continent away from each other.
But what if one of those assholes asks her out? Am I going to be okay with that?
Fuck, no.
I turn back quickly to check out the situation again. She’s laughing with them but not being overly flirty. Just in that sweet Katherine way that makes you want to smack her on the ass for being so damn cute.
But when one touches her wrist to get her attention, I have half a mind to break his hand.
“What can I get you, handsome?”
I look up to see a waitress leaning so far over the counter that her double D’s greet me before I get a chance to see her face. Blinking, I jerk my head back.
The redhead chuckles, like she knows full well what she’s doing.
Clearing my throat, I motion behind me. “If you don’t mind, ma’am, I’d like to wait for Kat.” When did I start calling every female ma’am?
The smile on her face falls. “Suit yourself.” She saunters off, swaying her ass a little more than necessary.
“Hey.” Katherine’s breathy little voice at my side has me smiling before I even see her. Now that I’m sitting on a stool, she’s almost eye level with me.
“Is it okay if I wait here until you’re done?”
She breaks out one of those killer smiles. One, I might add, she didn’t flash at those assholes in the booth.
“Absolutely. Do you want something to eat?” She touches my arm. “You’re probably starving. Did you grab lunch at home?”
The way she calls the farm home fills me with a stupid warmth that has me grinning like a moron. Never mind that she’s worried about whether or not I ate. Come to think of it, I haven’t.
“Nope. Haven’t had a chance. Wanted to cut up that fallen tree and dry out the firewood in the barn before it rains again.” It helped get my mind off my brother, off yesterday, and off Katherine. The only thing it didn’t help with was the raging headache I had all afternoon, but the four Advil I took eventually kicked in.
Her eyes widen. “You did all of that this afternoon?”