Chapter 99
When we eventually make it to the beer tent after a few more purchases, I’m practically vibrating with anticipation at seeing his reaction when he tastes the food. The picnic tables are scattered around haphazardly, and we find one tucked away in a quieter corner. We sit side by side but not touching, with the food spread out before us like a small feast.
“So,” I say, teasing him as I pick up a crispy mozzarella stick and wave it at him like it’s some kind of weapon. “First bite of street food. You ready?”
He eyes
es the oily, stringy, cheesy bite like it might bite him back. “I’m still not sure how I ended up here,” he mutters, watching me devour it with barely any effort. He’s so serious about it, which only makes me want to tease him even more.
“You’re here because I decided to educate you on culinary experiences,” I remind him, savoring every bite of my snack. “You can’t possibly say no. It’s practically a life experience.
Thane stares at a hot dog right in front of him, his lips pressed into a thin line. I can tell he’s reluctant, but there’s something in his eyes that says he’s intrigued. “This is food that’s meant to be eaten on the go, like this?” he asks skeptically.
I shrug. “Yep. Quick, messy, but totally worth it.”
With a sigh, he picks up the hot dog and, after a long pause, takes a small bite. His face is unreadable, but I can see the way his jaw moves, chewing the unfamiliar bite. I’m waiting for him to gag or at least grimace, but instead, he just swallows, his lips still pressed into that straight line.
“Not bad,” he mutters, sounding surprised.
I laugh, feeling a tiny victory in that. “I knew you’d come around, I say smugly as I pick up a piece of churro and dangle it in front of him, my smile wide and teasing. “Here’s the real test, I say, wiggling it slightly. If you can handle this, I might just consider you a true convert to market food.” I hold it a little closer to his mouth, enjoying the way his eyes flicker with amusement and maybe something else.
He narrows his eyes playfully, his lips curling into a slight grin. “Is that so? Are you daring me to eat this sugary mess? He leans in, his gaze never leaving mine as he wraps his fingers around the wrist of the hand that’s holding the churro with a little too much intention, the moment lingering between us for just a second too long.
His voice drops low, almost teasing, as he adds, “Guess I’ll have to show you I’m not as picky an eater as you think
I watch him closely as he hites into the churro, his eyes never leaving mine. There’s something deliberate in the way he moves–slow and controlled–and I feel the heat of his gaze settle on me like a weight. When his lips brush against my fingertips to get to the last bite, it’s just the slightest of touches, but it sends a jolt through me. My breath catches, and I can’t help but notice how the simple act of him tasting this sweet, messy food feels so…intimate.
His eyes flicker with amusement, but there’s an undercurrent of something else there top–something that makes my heart race, and I can’t quite place it.
As I suddenly pull my hand from his grasp, I shake my head quickly, attempting to dispel the thoughts swirling in my mind and physically shake off the heat that’s creeping up my neck. Clearing my throat, I focus on a basket of bacon–loaded fries to stop the way my pulse quickens every time he looks at me like that. It’s ridiculous, I can’t let myself get distracted by something so simple by something that feels so…charged.
I catch the smug glint in his eyes as he watches me, clearly enjoying my reaction a little too much, His lips curl up at the corners, and I can practically feel the teasing in the air. Damn it, he knows. He knows what he’s doing to me,
