Table for Two-epub Read Online Free Page B

I got you into bed one time, and you’ve never let me forget it.”  
    “That’s because you’re unforgettable.” Chelsea ran a finger over his cheek.
    Everyone ooh ed and aah ed all over again.
    “I’ll give you folks a few. Soon as the poison’s done its job, I’ll send your waitress over.” Chelsea waved to them all and went off to do restaurant-owner duties.
    “You dead yet, Jimmy?” Greg asked.
    “Couple of cramps, but still alive,” he responded.
    Thing was, the cramps were real. Or the one cramp that twisted his gut was. While it might not have resulted from arsenic poisoning, its origin was just as unsettling.
    Jealousy.
    Levi and Olivia had spent a night together, years ago. It wasn’t a secret. Hell, Levi had slept with all the women at the table at least once. Before now, the jokes and references to it had never bothered James. Tonight, the idea of Levi with Olivia chafed.
    James wasn’t sure what bothered him most. His envy, his unwarranted irritation with Levi or the unexpected possessiveness he felt for Olivia.
    He had no right to feel any of those.
    Sure, seeing Liv naked was a turn-on. But that’s all it was: a turn-on and a joke to poke fun at. Why’d he have to go getting all protective of her now? That was just bullshit.
    “It’s all that muscle,” Ava said. “The arsenic must take longer to have an effect than it would for a normal guy. Give it another minute or two.”
    “Nice,” he grouched. “Liv poisoned me, and all you’re worried about is how long it’ll take to kill me.”
    “Oh, no, Jimmy,” Zoey was quick to assure him. “Please, don’t misunderstand us. We’re not actually worried. It’s more like…curiosity about the whole process.”
    And with that, discussion erupted on how long it should take arsenic to affect an average man compared to a muscle-bound, rugby-playing, weight-training addict.
    Dinner was ordered before James gave them the satisfaction of keeling over, and from then on there was barely a break in conversation. Topics changed, arsenic was forgotten, Levi and Spencer were peppered with questions, and the evening proceeded as it always did. With lots of laughter and good cheer.
    While everyone else ate heartily, Olivia ordered a salad and picked at it unenthusiastically. She hardly made a dent in the greens. More concerning was her refusal of dessert. The woman never turned down waffles at Chelsea’s. Ever.
    James ordered the waffles for himself.
    When Ava left to use the ladies’ room, he unapologetically took her place, seating himself next to Olivia for the rest of the evening. And when dessert arrived, he cut off a good-sized piece of waffle, coated it in ice cream and butterscotch sauce and offered it to Liv.
    She turned it down.
    Too thin, losing weight and refusing dessert? Unacceptable.
    James steeled his spine and leaned over to murmur in her ear. “Eat it, or I’m going to tell everyone about the nipple stand.”
    She shot him the look of death and allowed him to feed her the piece of waffle.
    “Good.” James nodded his approval. “Now eat the rest.”
    “You’re forcing me?”
    “Call it a little amicable blackmail.” He held up another forkful of dessert.
    “No thanks.”
    “It was a great nipple stand,” he murmured. “Definitely worth mentioning.”
    She grabbed the fork and shoved it in her mouth.
    He smiled as she chewed and swallowed.
    “I’m not liking you very much tonight.”
    “That’s okay,” James assured her. “I’m liking you more than ever, so it all evens out.” He pushed the plate over to her.
    She glared at him.
    “Tuck in. You know you want another bite.”
    She pursed her lips, refusing to comment. Or eat.
    “I can feed you, if you’d prefer?” He leaned over to take the knife and fork.
    She shoved his hands away. “I’m perfectly capable of feeding myself.”
    “Prove it.”
    She did, sawing through the waffle and shoving another forkful into her mouth.
    “And again.”
    “Jeez. When