It’s Like That Read Online Free Page B

dad was on the Chicago PD and was killed when I was four years old.”
    He sat up and frowned at her, and then he murmured, “I’m sorry.”
    She shrugged. “I don’t remember much about him. Just a mustache that tickled and how tall he always seemed. Deep voice and lots of tickling. You know, kid stuff.” She took a deep breath, surprised at the emotions that still had the power to hurt. “My mom is a paralegal and refuses to retire. She works for the DA, and swears none of them would be able to function without her.” She nodded with dry humor and continued, “She’s probably right. Anyway, both parents were only children too, so I have no aunts and uncles. A few cousins several times removed that I’ve seen a handful of times. Mostly just really close friends that are more like my family. You know,” she said with a mischievous smile, “shirttail cousins.”
    He laughed and started to say something, but just then the waiter appeared at their table to deliver their meals. It looked delicious, if unidentifiable, and Callie smiled up at the dark-skinned foreigner and thanked him. He returned the smile and offered to refill their wine, which Callie accepted gratefully.
    Chris, however, placed his hand over the top of his glass and said, “Water for me, please.”
    Callie wanted to cheer with approval. He was driving, and on a date. A gentleman should only have one glass of wine. She was sure it was a written rule somewhere, but it seemed like common sense to her. She watched him closely to see if there was a certain way to eat the meal, and surmising from the way he began to randomly eat, she followed suit.
    It was delicious; rich and succulent without being overpowering. She was fairly certain the meat was lamb, but couldn’t be sure without asking. There were some beans that looked like giant lima beans in a pink sauce that made her close her eyes in ecstasy.
    When she opened her eyes again, Chris had paused with his fork halfway to his mouth, and was leveling that intense, heated stare at her lips. She licked her lips self-consciously. “What?” She wiped her mouth gently with her napkin and sneaked a quick glance down to make sure she hadn’t gotten any food on her dress.
    “No, you’re fine. It’s just…” He closed his eyes and shook his head. When he looked back at her, his eyes were narrowed. He continued, his voice sounding strained, “Do you have any idea how fucking sexy you are?”
    She blinked at him in surprise, her mouth opening in a tiny O.
    “When you close your eyes like that…” He took a deep, shuddering breath and continued, his voice barely audible, “You look like you’re in the middle of a mind-blowing orgasm. I would love to be the one to put that look on your face instead of gigantes beans.”
    She looked down at her plate, unsure how to respond. If he was making fun of her, he was the most convincing damn actor she’d ever seen. It stood to reason he was either sincere or just trying to get in her panties. She felt hot tears prick the back of her eyelids. When was the last time she’d let a man get close enough to talk to her this way? Never. Too self-conscious to so much as entertain the idea of a relationship, she’d never let any of the geeks she’d been on dates with even consider the idea of talking to her this way. Sure, a few months of dating the same bespectacled man, and he’d gradually work up the nerve to kiss her and paw at her.
    And the short, boring relationship with her college boyfriend hadn’t reached this level after two years. Bedroom talk on a first date, and with a man like this? Never.
    “I’ve made you uncomfortable. I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention.” He leaned back and put his fork down to take a large gulp of water.
    “No, it’s…” She trailed off, unsure how to explain. “I’m just not…used to this, I guess.” She squeezed her thighs together again, acutely aware of the wetness gathering in her panties.
    “Not used to