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“We can either have a good time tonight”—proud of himself for resisting the urge to toss her back into the truck and give in to the temptation of fucking her silly, he opened the door again—“or we can get back in the truck, and I can take you home. When we made this arrangement, I assumed we’d treat each other as if we were on a regular date. Would you talk to the bozo I saw you with at the coffee shop the way you talk to me? Would you have waited for him to open your door? All I’m asking for is the same treatment.”
“You’re right.” Releasing a steady breath, Natalia seemed to douse her fiery temper. “I’m used to being independent and taking care of myself, as well as my employees. If I were on a regular date and didn’t like something my date did or said, I would say something, but I would say it more politely,” she admitted. “I apologize.”
Wizard liked the way she owned up to her behavior. “So, are we staying?”
“Yes.”
He closed the truck door. “Cool. Let’s hit the concession stand and see what kind of damage we can do. I’m starving.”
When they reached the concession stand—which looked as if a strong wind could blow the rickety structure away—he studied the menu. “What would you like?”
“Popcorn, M&M’s, and a diet drink,” Natalia immediately answered.
“No hot dog?” he double-checked.
When she shook her head, he ordered three for himself, along with a regular soda and an order of nachos as well as popcorn.
As he took out his wallet, he caught her amused expression. “I told you I was hungry. I haven’t eaten all day.”
After paying, he took the two containers of popcorn from the worker and handed one to Natalia.
“I gathered that when you ordered all those hot dogs, and the nachos,” she said with a laugh.
It was the first time he had seen her loosen up enough around him to laugh. Smiling back, he handed her the diet soda. Carrying their treasure trove of food back to the truck, they settled on the tailgate.
After hooking the speaker onto the side of the tailgate, they munched on their food while old movie trailers played on the big screen.
As they ate companionably, he noticed Natalia sneaking one of his hot dogs.
“Luckily for you, I don’t mind sharing.”
She grinned, unembarrassed at getting caught. “I’m saving you from the cholesterol.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that,” he joked.
“Do you normally go all day without eating until dinner?”
“You can’t really call what I eat dinner.” After polishing off his second hot dog, he started on the nachos.
“What do you usually eat, then?”
“Anything edible.” He shrugged. “TV dinners, takeout, sandwiches. Something quick and easy.”
“Arden said the club has a kitchen.”
“It does, but I don’t cook. It’s every man—or woman—for themselves.”
She stopped talking when the movie began. He had seen all the Conjuring movies and was interested to see how this one had turned out.
“I should have asked whether you like scary movies.”
“I love them.” She took one of his nacho chips. “I was going to see this one, but I haven’t had time. Did Arden tell you I like scary movies?” Her suspicious gaze shifted toward him.
“Nope. Arden doesn’t like it when I ask questions about you. She either tells me to ask you myself or pretends not to hear me.”
“One of the many reasons I love her. She’s loyal.”
“Yes, she is.” He had to agree. Tink was fiercely loyal to everyone she loved. Regardless of her own welfare, she had brazenly walked into the clubhouse demanding to see him so she could rescue her brother Luc from their dastardly clutches—or so she’d thought. It hadn’t taken her long to find out the high schooler had needed their help.
