Peyton looked over her shoulder again. “I’m that desperate. Please …pleasesee if he’s available. You seemed to be friendly with his brother. Just ask. He’s so gorgeous. I’ve never gone out with a guy who oozed so much testosterone.”
“Damn, girl, calm down,” Danielle said, gently touching Peyton’s arm. “Mia’s right—he’s a real heartbreaker. You can tell just by the way he walks and by the smug expression he wore the whole time he was at the table. I bet he’d be awesome in bed, but he’d be gone the moment you’d fall asleep. Definitely not a good bet.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying,” Mia said.
“What you need is a mix of Jorge and this Army dude. I still like a confident man in a well-tailored suit. I should’ve been a legal secretary instead of a hair stylist. My mom always told me that if I wanted to meet classy men then I needed to get a job where I’d have those kind of connections. I blew that advice,” Danielle added.
“Who listens to our moms’ advice? If I had, I wouldn’t be engaged to Stuart. He’s just about the most perfect man in the world.” Ronica beamed.
“How are the wedding plans coming?” Danielle asked.
“My mom’s driving me crazy. The other day we were looking at invitations and she …”
Mia tuned out her friend and sneaked peeks at Army. Dessie had that goofy look women get when they’re crushing on a guy and think he’s the best thing in life. The way Army leaned down low and whispered into the ring girl’s ear made Mia clench her teeth.He’s probably trying to get a good look at her boobs. That seems to be his thing. Although, Dessie isn’t really covering them up. I know they’re fake. She’s too damn skinny to have such big breasts, but if she’s ever in a flood, she’s gold—her boobs will keep her afloat for sure.Her eyes narrowed as Dessie planted a kiss on Army’s cheek.
“I’ll be right back.” Mia scooted her chair back and jumped up. She needed to get a breath of fresh air. She hated that she’d stooped so low as to be jealous of Dessie’s boob job, and she was pissed as hell at why it even mattered that the ring girl was hitting on Army or how he seemed to be enjoying it too much.
Outside, Mia welcomed the autumn breeze which tousled her hair and pinked her cheeks. The warmth that had been in the wind earlier that day had evaporated into the sky, and a chill had crept into the air. Not the bite of wintry gusts, but there was enough of a nip to make Mia shiver and wish she would’ve brought her jacket. Leaves skittered down the pavement, and the aroma of cinnamon and warm spices rode on the breeze, curling around her and whispering of warm winter fires yet to come.
Mia leaned against the restaurant’s brick wall and inhaled and exhaled several deep breaths. She couldn’t let this stranger get to her. It was ridiculous and totally out of character for her. It was probably the release of all the adrenaline she’d had coursing through her since she’d begun to prepare for the fight a few weeks ago.
“Aren’t you cold?”
Mia jumped at the sound of the deep voice—she didn’t hear anyone come out. She pushed away from the wall and let her gaze fall on Army. The yellow glow of the streetlights made his features soft against the darkness of the night. She ran her hands up and down her pebbled skin. “I am. I was just going to head back inside.”
He stood in front of her, blocking her. “Stay for a few minutes.” He shrugged off his leather jacket and draped it around her shoulders before she could protest. The heat from his body felt absurdly intimate, and she was extremely aware of his fingers brushing the back of her neck. He smelled of leather and caramelized dark coffee beans with a tang of salty herbs to it, and it was the most sensual aroma she’d ever come across. It wrapped around her, and much to her chagrin, desire rippled through her.
“Thanks,” she croaked, her throat dry with tension.
“We never really met each other. I’m Army.”
“Mia,” she said softly. He still stood close behind her.
“That’s a pretty name,” his breath whispered over the curve of her neck, threatening to ensnare her.
Without thinking, she leaned back into him, and he ran a thumb along her jaw as his calloused skin scratched her lightly. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you during the fight. You were amazing.” His breath was warm on her cheek and her inner thighs clenched in reaction.
Army cupped Mia’s chin and tilted her head back so she gazed into his desire-filled eyes. Her lips parted when he dipped his head down as his grip tightened on her chin.
Her brain screamed at her to stop, but her traitorous body relaxed in his powerful arms. Danger radiated from him, but it only heightened her excitement.
“Mia,” he said, his low voice a mixture of sensual and gruff masculinity.
Her stomach fluttered as she closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss.
“Army! You promised you’d be right back,” Dessie whined.
The mood snapped all at once. Mia stepped away from Army and ignored the daggers shooting from Dessie’s eyes. She threw off the leather jacket and handed it to Army.
He grabbed her hand. “Don’t go.” He waved his hand back and forth between him and Dessie. “This doesn’t mean anything.”
Dessie gasped and put her hands on her hips. “What the fuck?”
Mia yanked her hand away. “I’m sure none of your hookups do.”
Army reached out for her again but she glared at him. “Don’t touch me. Go back to wherever you came from, and leave me the hell alone.”
“Mia, there’s nothing going on with Dessie.”