His answering smirk was much more pronounced and fully rakish. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he and Alisha both stared ahead at their friends being cute and flirty with one another as the line gradually moved forward. Unable to take the silence that hung thickly between them, she spoke up. "How was work?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Slow as hell," he said. "Couple of car accidents, a small warehouse fire. Mostly spent the time at the station on cleaning duty and playing Halo."
"Hmm, my tax dollars at work," she teased, as they finally reached the door of the packed bakery.
"You got it, baby," he chuckled, winking at her. He held the door open for her and let her shuffle past, brushing his hand over her ass as she did.
She turned heated eyes to his and mouthed Stop it! Maggie or James could have seen that and then her relaxing day at the spa would go right out the window because she would get the third degree instead. Casting eyes ahead to her friend and James, she was relieved to see them studying the display case of baked goods. Feeling the silent rumble of laughter in his chest, she elbowed him hard in the gut and moved to stand by Maggie, joining in on the intense scrutiny for potential breakfast foods.
Big read the menu, nearly busting a gut when he read Deluxe Larrington Pie as a listed item. Instead, he leaned forward and murmured in her ear again. "Can't wait to have my fill of number four tonight. That's my favorite kind of pie." He stood up and watched the blush creep up her neck and stain her cheeks.
"Next?" the woman behind the counter asked.
"Um," Alisha began, unable to find her words. She could see the arrogant bastard smirking in her peripheral vision. "Cherry Danish, please. Large coffee."
"And for you?" she asked Big.
"Blueberry muffin and orange juice." He reached for his wallet and pulled out some cash, nudging Alisha. "I got it."
She slanted her gaze to his and smiled softly. "Thanks."
Grabbing her coffee and pastry, she followed Maggie and James to a little booth in the back of the bakery. She wedged herself into the available space and slid over to attempt to make room for Big since James and Maggie were smashed together on the other side and canoodling over their pastry. They were nauseatingly cute. He seated his large frame next to her, brushing his entire side against hers in the process and sending tingles through her entire body. Remembering that she was not supposed to be enjoying this, she elbowed him again. "Jesus, Big, scoot over," she admonished. Smirking, he moved down approximately one inch and took an enormous bite of his muffin. She ate in relative silence, losing herself in thoughts of what tonight would hold, occasionally interjecting when James or Maggie would actually draw themselves out of their own adorable little world and talk to her or to Big.
Polishing off his orange juice, Big eased out of the booth. "I gotta go crash," he told the group. "See you guys around."
"Thanks for breakfast," Alisha smiled politely.
"Don't mention it," he shrugged.
"You two are nauseating," he grumbled to James and Maggie, smirking when they both gave him shitty looks. "Jesus, I'm kidding. See ya, 'round." With a little salute to Alisha, he strode away and pushed out of the exit.
Alisha looked down at the table and saw his phone. Biting back a smile, she looked up to the other two at the table. "Oh, Big forgot his phone. I bet I can catch him. Be right back." Grabbing the object, she slid out of the booth and walked briskly for the door.
He wasn't hard to find. She found him leaned casually against the brick wall of the next building over, his arms folded across his chest, waiting expectantly. He shot her a slow grin as she approached. "You're a smart girl, Alisha," he murmured as she handed him the phone.
"I need to get back," was her response.
"My place. Nine o'clock."
She flashed him a coy smile, her dimples winking. "I'll be there." Turning back towards the bakery, he grabbed her elbow and pulled her back.
"Ah-ah, not so fast," he told her.
"Big—" she began, but was cut off by his lips on hers, his fingers kneading firmly into the back of her neck. She felt her head start to swim and reluctantly pushed him away. "Go get some sleep, Big," she grinned, "I'll see you tonight." She lifted a hand and hurried away.
He watched her go and smirked to himself, deciding he really should get some sleep now because he didn't expect any tonight.
She knocked at 9:15. Grinning, he Rosemary off the couch and took a long pull off the beer in his hand as he walked to the door and opened it. "Hi," he greeted slowly.
"Hi," she said back.
Big moved back and gestured for her to come inside. "New coat?" he asked as she slowly brushed by, noting the absence of her red coat in favor of a long white one. She smelled fucking amazing—seductive and sexy, and looked even better. It nearly made him pant after her.
"Nope," she answered easily, rounding towards him. When he moved to kiss her, she held up a hand and stopped him. "We need to get a few things straight between us before we continue."
He barked out a dry laugh and shook his head. He wasn't too sure he was going to like this. "Okay. Do you want to take your coat off first?"
"No, I'd rather just get this cleared up and maybe I'll stay."
Big frowned; he really fucking didn't like where this was going. "Well, go on then," he bit out gruffly, pounding the rest of his beer.
"We're friends, right?" she asked, tilting her head and looking
