Chapter Four

Mekhi caught the pint size ball of fur. He opened his mouth and growled. Tee’s body shook. Quinn tried to take Tee away from him, and he snapped his teeth.

“Stay back.” He sat on the floor like he had all day and held Tee up, so they were looking into each other’s eyes. “You, little one, pay attention. I will not hurt you, and I will not hurt the female who adopted you. Both of you will always be treated with respect by my hands.”

Quinn opened her mouth then closed it like a fish out of water. Tee was not the most loving cat to strangers, but she had never attacked one before. Her little body had stopped shaking, and she was giving Mekhi a once over like she understood every word, and she was judging him for authenticity. Finally, she gave him a shy meow, and he took her in his arms and petted her. That fast it was over, he had a faithful friend for life.

“How did you do that?” Her voice came out in a whisper afraid to interrupt the bonding that was going on.

“Do what? I told her the truth. Are you ready for dinner?”

“I’m ready.”

He gave Tee one more rub then stood up. She grabbed her purse, checked to make sure she had her keys and led him outside.

She stopped when she came to the truck parked behind hers.

“I thought you might be more comfortable in a truck.” She ignored him as she walked around it. Hesitantly, she stuck her hand out to caress it.

“It’s a Benz.”

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, but I couldn’t get work done in this.”

“We can go to dinner in this and get real work done in yours.” He opened the door and helped her up.

He said we and her brain was doing magical flips as it thought what we would look like if it comprised her and Mekhi. Stop it, she yelled inside her head. He is just being polite no rushing to think a guy likes us. Remember what happened last time. Her brain fell to the bottom of her head. It remembered what happened.

“I didn’t know what you would want to eat. There is a great place that serves some of the best steaks. It melts your mouth. Phoenix said he heard a few females talking, and they would only go to places that served salads on their dates. We can go get salads if that’s all you eat.”

She had to bite her bottom lip to keep from laughing; there was no doubt about where he wanted to go.

“Maybe I can order a salad with my steak that should meet the dating rules.”

“I think that’s a wise choice.” He turned his head to look at her a smile was lingering on his lips, and she was lost. His blue eyes were pulling her in. His black hair was caught up with a short leather tie, and she was mush. Cue the heartbreak music, she always fell too fast when she fell.

“Tell me a little about yourself.”

“I’m not that interesting.”

“Come on,” she cajoled. “I bet all the things you’ve done in your life would surprise me. Where did you go to school?”

“I didn’t go to school I learned how to fight.”

“You went to a military academy? I heard depending on which one you go to they can be extremely tough on the boys.”

“The one I went to wasn’t nice.”

“Did you serve?”

“Serve?”

“Yes, join a branch of the military fight in battles overseas.”

“It was expected that I would fight.”

“I know it’s honorable to serve your country, but I’m glad you’re here now.”

“All my brothers didn’t live to be here.”

She blinked back tears. How could she not feel the pain he kept hidden behind those words?

“I’m so sorry Mekhi. I don’t understand losing your brothers in battle to a war that makes little sense. My dad, he died at the construction site. That didn’t make sense.”

“Tell me about your dad.”

“I’m named after him. His name was Quintin. I think he wanted a boy, but he got me.” She laughed and blinked her eyes fast. “He used to put me on his shoulders and tell me one day I would own the whole world, but I’d start with his construction company. As soon as I was old enough, he taught me how to build. I had my personal little hard hat and my own tools. When he thought it was safe, he would take me out to his construction sites. My love of building and planning came from him.”

He pulled up in front of the steakhouse it was her favorite.

“I used to love coming here with my dad and mom when he was alive.”

“Do you still come here?”

“No, life happened.”

“Then I get to be the first one to reintroduce you to the taste of great steak.” He came around and opened the door for her helping her down.

This was a lost art one she never experienced before. No one ever opened doors for her or made her feel as feminine as Mekhi was making her feel in a pair of jeans and a shirt. She was always sure she didn’t need this; she could take care of herself. One minute she longed for someone to take care of her, to listen when she needed to unburden herself. Then she pushed it all away. She was woman hear her roar.

He took her hand and waited to see if she would protest, when she didn’t he led them to the restaurant.

“Hi, the waitress greeted them. Only two in your party tonight?”

“Hi, Sarah. There will only be the two of us tonight.”

She led them to a booth in a quiet area.

“Is this okay with you? When I come with my brothers, we request a place as far away from most customers as possible.”

“This is perfect. You must come here a lot.”

“I like steak.”

“What else do you like?”

“Steak.”

“What about chicken or hamburgers? Then there’s pork, don’t forget the sides. I love french fries my guilty pleasure.”

“I’ve never had french fries. They look like sticks. I’ve had the other things you mentioned, but I prefer steaks.”

“Your mom never made you french fries?”

“I don’t have any parents.”

How could she make such a big mistake? That was why he went to military school.

“Sorry, I was going on about my dad. Excuse me, I need to use the facilities.”

He caught her hand before she could get up. “Don’t be upset. I liked hearing about your dad and how he carried you around on his shoulders. If I ever have a child, I would do the same thing.”

“You would?”

“Yes.”

She relaxed and took a deep breath. “Will you tell me if I say something stupid?

“I don’t think you're capable of saying anything like that.”

She didn’t have as much faith in herself, and he did. “You keep talking like that, and I will like you a lot.”

The waitress came and brought menus. “Can I take your drink order?”

“I’ll have an ice tea.”

“Plain as usual?”

He raised his eyes to Quinn.

“Why don’t we both try the peach?”

“We’ll take the peach and glasses of water.”

“Good choice,” she gave Quinn a wink and walked away.

“That was nice.”

“What?”

“Something silly, not worth talking about.” The last couple of guys she had gone out with flirted with any woman walking. One even had the nerve to tell her if she dressed more feminine and worked a more girly job (yes, he said girly job), then he wouldn’t have to check out everything that moved. That’s when she ordered the most expensive thing on the menu and wouldn’t you know it she forgot her wallet at home. She dumped the jerk the next day.

She raised her menu but was looking at him under her lashes. He was studying the menu like he didn’t know it by heart.

“I recommend the steak.”

He looked up, and his eyes blazed like she had taken him by surprise.

“Are you sure I was thinking about the chicken?” She couldn’t hold her laugh in. He had grimaced when he said the word chicken.

“Trust me on this one.”

“What should I get to go with it?”

“I heard about these little sticks called french fries. I hear they’re all the rage. We should try those.”

When the waitress came back, he ordered the biggest steak they had rare. He saw her grimace and asked for it medium instead and an order of fries. She ordered a much smaller steak and fries and an order of cauliflower. One look at his face told her not to push it. She sat back after the waitress left and realized she was enjoying herself. Mekhi made her feel beautiful and desirable.