Page 11 of Bought By Torch

“First of all, I’m not a kid. Second of all, what does that mean?”

He scoots closer and the butterflies in my stomach fight against the burger for space.

“I’m well aware you’re not a kid.” His eyes trail down. Burning slowly. Sparking everywhere they land. “I’m used to heiresses coming in and acting pretentious. But you don’t fit that mold. You don’t like caviar. You don’t like spa treatments. No Britney. You eat hamburgers like a frat boy instead of picking on lettuce. And…” His eyes drop lower. “You prefer sneakers over heels. What else am I going to learn about you this weekend?”

“I think you’ll learn that I’m not pretentious at all. At least, I try not to be. Just because my father has money, doesn’t make me feel like I’m better than anyone else. In fact, sometimes I wish I wasn’t a billionaire’s daughter. Most of the time I feel like people are only spending time with me because of who he is and how much they can get from me.”

Even Caleb has jumped onto that ship.

“Nope. You’re nothing like I expected.” He leans forward and takes a bite of my burger, giving me another wink as he chews slowly.

He’s not what I expected either. I thought the moment I told him I wouldn’t interfere with the deal, he’d be rushing out, excited to be off the hook of babysitting duty. Because I’m gathering that’s what this was. He’s supposed to spend time with me while my father conducts his business.

But he stays. And he eats. And he lifts my mood right up.

7

Torch

“This is the place that has the best milkshakes?” she asks, looking at me like I’m crazy, but she has no idea.

“Trust me.” I take her hand, leading her into the bar. I can’t keep my hands off her. And unlike with Caleb, she molds right into my touch. “The place looks like a dive,” I say, opening the door for her, “but Hank makes the best chocolate malts I’ve ever had.”

“Torch!” the old man himself hollers from behind the bar. Buddy, Kitch, and my dad are all sitting in their usual spots. I probably should’ve taken Evie somewhere else for our first date, but based on what she said about wanting to feel normal, I didn’t want to take her somewhere pretentious.

That is what this is, isn’t it? A date. At least, that’s what I want it to be. But I’m gonna have to get rid of that boyfriend of hers first. Which won’t be a problem. The guy’s been digging his grave all day. Even her dad doesn’t like the guy. And every time he speaks, I see her retreat from him—right into my arms.

“What brings you in, son?” My dad turns on his stool. Same old mustache, same old crooked grin. “And who’s this pretty young lady you’ve got with you?”

She is pretty, isn’t she? Understatedly beautiful. The girl doesn’t have any makeup on, no fake eyelashes, or Botox lips, but she doesn’t need it. She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been in the company of. And when she walked out in those converse high tops tonight, my dick sprung right up. Her choice in attire is sexy as hell. No pretense. No desperation for attention. She’s just doing Evie. And I’m learning that she’s a pretty cool girl.

“We came for Hank’s famous milkshakes.” I wrap my hand tighter around her waist as we step up to my father. “This is Evie. Evie, this is my dad. And that there is Hank, the owner of this good ol’ establishment. That’s Buddy.” Buddy tips his head. “And the old gray beard is Kitch.”

Kitch runs his hand down the silver beard that runs to his chest, and he gives her a smile.

“Nice to meet you. Not sure what you’re doing with this one—a girl as pretty as you—but it’s certainly a pleasure.”

“It’s nice to meet you all too.” She smiles sweetly, giving them a little wave. She couldn’t be cuter.

“So, what brings you to our neck of the woods, son? Did you just want to stop by and introduce us to the new woman in your life?”

“Oh, no! We’re not together,” Evie corrects my pops, but that protest settles uneasily in my gut. One conversation over a shared burger and I’m forming a bit of a crush on her.

“She’s in the mood for something sweet. How about one of those milkshakes, Hank?”

“I’m on it.” Hank nods. “You want yours with or without booze, young lady?”

“Without,” she tells him.

“I’ll have mine dry too.” I’ve got a fight coming up next weekend and I need my body to be primed and ready.

“Why don’t you two come take a seat?” my father offers. I’d rather keep her right here tucked in my arms, but she walks over and hops up onto the stool next to him. Maybe I should have taken her someplace else because now I have to share her attention. But as I hear her start to giggle, and see the way her eyes light up as the guys do their best to humiliate me with their stories, I realize this was the perfect place to bring her. She’s having a good time, and I’m loving every minute of watching her let loose in a place that’s close to my heart, with the people who mean the world to me.

“Well, I best be getting this one back.” I nuzzle into her neck. She giggles at my touch, not shying away or telling me to stop. She melts. “It’s past her bedtime.” And way past my dick’s patience. It’s practically worn a hole in my jeans and is desperate to be released.

The guys all snicker, making their comments about me wanting to take the pretty girl to bed. They’re right. I’d take her straight to my bed if she were a free woman, but she’s got a boyfriend we need to deal with. I’ve already crossed a line kissing her soft skin and letting my hands roam all over her, palming her fine ass as I pulled her into me. But I won’t take things further until she’s mine.

“It was nice meeting you all.” She goes around giving each one of the men a hug. In return, they each give me a wink or a thumbs-up or an approving smile. She’s captured everyone’s heart tonight, not just mine. “And thanks for the amazing milkshake, Hank.”