Cherishing You

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

JonahI yanked open the door to the Scarlet Maple and surveyed the dining room. I hoped to give Shannon an update and let her know the police had assured me they were diligently looking for her ex. When I didn’t see her, I flagged down the hostess.

“Excuse me. Is Shannon working tonight?”

The woman tilted her head to the side. Her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “She’s not on the floor. I can seat you in another section.”

I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “That’s alright. I’ll get something to go. If you see her, can you tell her that Jonah Moran has some news for her? She has my number.”

“Sure. We take to-go orders at the bar.”

The woman extended an arm to direct me. Her long sleeves mostly did their job of hiding an arm’s length of tattoos. Too bad. She was cute in a dark, goth kind of way. My father would definitely find those tats unacceptable for the Magnolia Charity Ball.

Goth girl took off to the back, and I meandered over to the bar and snagged a menu. I usually got the same thing, but tonight, I might mix it up. Instead my usual sandwich, I ordered the steak frites and a glass of wine to enjoy while waiting.

“Jonah?”

I whipped around to see Shannon standing there in her uniform of a black shirt and black pants with a small apron tied around her waist. Her curly hair twisted back into an uncomfortable-looking ponytail. Too bad she couldn’t wear her hair down at work. Long, loose curls would suit her. In admiring her, I nearly forgot what I’d gone there to say.

“The hostess said you weren’t working tonight.”

“She was being protective. Everyone’s a little on edge since the other night. She told me you were looking for me. I’m about to get off work.”

She had her purse on her shoulder and her keys in her hand.

“Oh, then maybe you’d want to get something to eat? Have a drink?” I suggested. Shannon twisted her mouth to the side and darted her eyes to the bartender and then to the door, adjusting her shoulder bag. “It’s up to you. You’re probably ready to get home.”

“No. I can grab a quick bite. Where do you want to go?”

“I ordered here.”

“Oh. We can eat here.”

“I guess when you work here night and day, it’s the last place you want to spend your downtime,” I observed.

“Pretty much. But that’s okay. You’ve already ordered. I’ll get a sandwich too. The food is good here.”

“I didn’t get the sandwich this time. I got the steak.”

“Branching out, are you?” she laughed. I couldn’t tell if it was with me or at me. “I’ll get the roast chicken. Stefan does a great job with that dish. We can eat at the bar.”

Shannon draped her bag on the back of a bar chair and hopped up into the seat. The bartender came by and greeted her, glancing back and forth between us. She ordered her dinner and a glass of water.

“No cocktail?”

“Not right now.”

“Okay. I came by to let you know that I spoke to the police today.”

“They called you?”

“I went down to the station and spoke to the detective. He took my statement, and I let him know that I expected they would investigate more aggressively than they have been. I think you should see a little more movement,” I assured her.

“Thanks. I guess I figured they were looking into it already as much as they could. The police have their slow way of doing everything. At least it seems slow. Until they’re coming after you,” she joked and then blushed.

Shannon must have had some run-ins with the police in her day. What for? Had she actually been arrested?

If I were my father, I would call a private investigator and run a detailed background check on her. I straightened in the chair with my jaw set. I wouldn’t do that. I would ask her, but judging from her embarrassment, she didn’t like discussing her past legal troubles.

“I got arrested for a minor in possession in college. I don’t know how fast or slow it all happened. I was blasted,” I explained.

“A criminal record, huh?” A dubious look sparked humor in her eyes.

I paused. I’d been arrested but had no criminal record. I doubted there was even any record of my arrest. Dad had taken care of that. Something told me not to mention as much to Shannon, so I dodged the question.

“Yes. I’m a real menace to society.”

“I can tell.” She smirked.

Was she laughing at me again? I realized I knew nothing about her except that her ex-boyfriend was a dangerous, violent asshole. Maybe that’s what she liked. I wasn’t a choir boy, but I’d never been in any serious trouble. For once in my life, I could play the saint instead of the bad boy. I snickered under my breath.

“I’ve had my moments. Just ask my dad.”

“Your dad is a straight arrow, huh?”

I laughed. “In his own way.”

“There’s something to be said for that.”

“Do you like straight arrows?”

“Honestly, I don’t like much of any guy these days. No offense. My track record is pretty shitty. But you know that, don’t you.”

Shannon pressed her lips into a tight line, challenging me with her wide, baby blue eyes. Color rose in her cheeks. Her mortified flush mixed with her show of will sent a charge through me.

After a beat of silence, her expression softened. She exhaled slowly and took a sip of water. Her lips parted over the edge of her glass. She set her drink down and licked her wet lips. I shifted my leg and turned my bar seat away from her as much as the tight space under the bar would allow.

Her suspicion of me—and every man—already turned her off. Watching me spring a tent in my pants would probably kill my chances with her.

That’s all I needed. A chance. While her track record with the opposite s*x was shitty, mine was stellar. I smiled at her.

“Everyone has dated a loser or two.” Shannon opened her mouth to argue, but I held up my hand to stop her. “Everyone. That just makes the winners all the more fun.”

I keyed in on her, laser focused. I could imagine that halo of blond curls spread out on my pillow. Her plump lips parted in desire. The feel of her soft body writhing underneath me.

I held her gaze until her blush deepened to near scarlet. She twisted away from me on her stool. I took a swallow of wine. I’d have her. And I’d show her the time of her life.