with frustrating regularity, but I had perfected my strategy: complete and utter indifference.

out in the hallway, his voice laced with mock hurt. "We helped

'd simply watch me, his dark eyes tracking my m

me. If I were a stunning beauty like Fiona, with a killer body and ef

on was that it was a game-a challenge. They were probably unused to girls who didn'

seeing past my carefully constructed walls, like their gaze was gently peeling back

, convincing myself I was just imagining thin

me through. She brought me to The Sta

, and the comforting smell of grilled food hanging in the air. A classic jukeb

the busy room. "That's why we need the help. And the customers are usually gr

head. "I don't know how to f

id encouragingly, hand

assic waitress dress, but the skirt was

of the unfamiliarity. I was used to the safety of long jeans. A powerful urge to run surged through

back room, ready for my first shift. And

as if summoned by my worst night

isgust. "You have got to be kidding me. Didn't

iately swooped in, smiling brightly at the tw

over me. I cou

Stacy and caught my arm. "Actually," he said, his eyes

, my eyes wide

"What do you think, Aldric? Should

e. "Sounds like a perfect i

ok of pure venom b

e. For crying out loud!

n stance. "Are you just going to stand the

the line. I forced a tight, professional smile

a water. Looking at y

tude. I noted it down her order and turned to the twins. They orde

ried the heavy tray over carefull

reath, carefully navigating between tables, and finally managed to lower the tray onto their tab

ut and grabbed my wrist, pulling my hand-and the glass-sharply toward him. The d

. It had been a delib

iona shrieked, a triumphant gleam in her eye

my voice shaking. "I'm so sorry! The so

om Caius silenced her instantly. When he turned his gaze b

I moved too suddenly." He glanced down at his shirt. "Lucky it's black, isn't it? Hard

ean, dry towel. He stood up and gestured for me to follow him

. Instead, he raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you g

fabric of his shirt was thin, and I could feel the firm, warm muscle of his chest beneath my

't properly clean it from way over there." His scent, that expensive, woody

th more firmly against his shirt, scrubbing at the spot with a frustrated energy. The

round my waist, pulled me forcefully into the men's roo