Step away, Blair.
Instead, I tempted fate and tilted my head back. His head dipped a little closer in response, and my eyes fluttered closed as his breath coasted over my lips.
Bang!
We jolted apart, Cian pushing me behind him as he whirled toward the threat… which turned out to be an old truck backfiring as it turned out of the parking lot across the street.
As the rusted bulk trundled toward the intersection, I slipped out from under Cian’s protective arm and strode toward the diner’s entrance.
What the fuck am I doing?
I knew better than this. No matter what he had said in Washington, the evidence was clear. Whenever puck bunnies entered the room, Blair disappeared. It was a foundational rule of the universe, and something I’d seen time and time again, since the very first moment we met.
Not good enough.
Pretty enough.
Enough.
I pulled my walls around me like a protective coat as I slid into a booth and ordered a ginger ale.
Cian ordered the same and added a cheeseburger and waffle fries. I asked her to double it, and he grinned at me as the waitress pocketed her order pad and headed toward the kitchen.
“We have the same order,” he said, linking his fingers on top of the table.
“It’s a pretty standard order.”
He hummed noncommittally and sat back in his seat, watching me closely.
“If you could be one character from a video game, who would you be?” he asked.
“Bowser. You?”
His eyebrows disappeared behind his ridiculously perfect bangs.
“Bowser? Come on. You have to elaborate.”
“Nuh-uh. That’s not the game. Now, come on. It’s your turn.”
“Well… if you’re going to be Bowser, I guess that makes me Princess Peach.”
“What?” I shrieked, smothering my giggles with a palm as the nearby diners turned to see what the fuss was.
“Why the hell would you be Peach?”
His eyes sparkled. “It seems only fair.”
“That…” I gave up, sitting back with a huff when I realized he’d hold to the rules just the same as I did.
“Fine. If you could only eat one protein for the rest of your life, what would you choose?”
“Nuts.” I glanced at him in surprise. Surely an athlete like him would be a red meat kind of guy.
“They’re more versatile. Plus, I wouldn’t have to give up peanut butter cups.”
I shook my head, sitting back and thanking the waitress as she placed our drinks in front of us. Cian took a long sip, watching me as I fiddled with my straw.
“So? What’s your protein?”
