Page 111 of Just for the Cameras
I chuckle. “I can tell you are.”
His mom leans forward and says, “Would you mind if we got a picture, and then we’ll leave you alone?”
“Of course,” I say, turning CT around to face his mom. I place my arm around him and turn my hat backward so you can see my face better, and she snaps the picture.
“Thank you so much.”
I offer his mom a wink, then turn CT back around. “Listen, little man, keep working on those passes and be sure to thank your mom for practicing with you. You’re a very lucky guy to have her in your life. I’ll be sure to look for you one day when you’re playing professionally.”
“Okay.” He throws himself into my arms, and I give him a big hugbefore letting go and standing back up. I offer him a fist bump, and then he takes off, his mom thanking me one more time before I bring my attention back to Maple.
“Sorry about that.”
“Please don’t apologize.” Her watery eyes meet mine. “That was really sweet. You just made that mom’s year, and that little boy will cherish that moment forever.”
Feeling uncomfortable because I don’t like the praise, I just nod and clear my throat. “Uh, did you decide on the tacos you want?”
I can feel her studying me, those devastatingly beautiful eyes attempting to find answers that I’m just not willing to give. Finally, she says, “I’ll have one of each.”
“Okay,” I answer, then step up to the window and order four steak tacos for myself, two vegetarian for Maple, and three Topo Chicos—one for Maple, two for me.
It doesn’t take long for our order to come up, and I grab it for us and bring her back to the truck. I set our food down before picking her up by the waist and setting her on the tailgate.
I look her in the eyes, my hands still on her waist, my thumbs pressing into her sides as I ask, “Comfortable?”
I watch her slowly swallow as she lets out a very breathy, “Yes.”
I pause for a moment, letting my thumbs caress her sides, our eyes still matched up, my mind swirling with ideas of what I could do right here, in this position. How I could drag my hands farther up her body, to her neck…
Jesus, what am I doing?
I quickly release her, clear my throat, and hop up onto my side. I pick up the tacos and dish them out. She hands me a napkin, and I open her drink for her.
Once we’re settled, she takes a bite of her taco, then lets out a long, satisfied moan that makes the hairs on my forearms stand at attention,alluding to something else that will be standing to attention if she keeps that up.
“Oh my God, this is so good.” She examines the taco. “How did they make a flour tortilla so crispy?”
I finish chewing, swallow, and then say, “They grill and press them. And don’t worry, they use a separate grill for the vegetarian tacos.”
She looks over at me, a smirk on her lips. “You know, when you say things like that, it almost seems like you care about me or something.”
I grumble under my breath, because maybe I do, but I don’t want her to know that, then take another bite of my taco, finishing it in two bites.
I wipe my mouth and glance at her to find her staring at me, still just one bite gone from her taco. I’m going to be done with two before she’s even done with one at this pace.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing.” She smiles and takes another bite of her taco. This time, I watch her eyes roll into the back of her head.
Jesus Christ.
This was a bad idea.
I just wanted tacos. I didn’t want a front-row seat to Maple eating tacos like she’s experiencing the best orgasm of her life.
“How did you find this place?” she asks.
“Hutton,” I answer.
