Burning for You by Michele Dunaway Read Free Book Online

at Dressel’s. Later, as an undergraduate at St. Louis University, she’d often returned to the pub once she’d turned twenty-one and could enjoy the libations. The other reason she’d agreed was because being with Joe made her tremble, and she hadn’t felt any lingering interest in over two years. For tonight, she’d like to feel alive, to remember what it felt like to receive the attention of a beautiful man.
    They walked the short distance through the comfortable June evening. They sat on the sidewalk deck, and although the hostess placed two menus down before departing, neither Joe nor Taylor reached for one. “Are you hungry?” he asked.
    “A little,” Taylor admitted, leaning back and trying to relax. She was admittedly extremely type A; her mom said she’d been tightly wound since birth. Owen had called her high strung and overreactive. She wondered why her ex had eaten at Presley’s, why he’d even shown up there. Maybe he thought she didn’t work there anymore. He’d always hated her job, claiming waitressing beneath her. Still, even after all this time, it was a chancy move to eat there after their explosive fallout.
    A server passed by, and Joe caught her attention. “Could I have two waters and the potato chips with rarebit?”
    “Sure,” she said, disappearing.
    “That’ll work to start,” Taylor said. Her stomach rumbled, agreeing.
    “I figured we could nibble first, see how hungry we are. Or where we were on time.”
    “Good call. Thank you.” A waiter brought over two tumblers of iced water and introduced himself. “I’m Leo, your server. I’ve put your chip order in. What else can I get you?”
    Taylor mustered the energy to smile at Leo, a young guy with a sleeve of tattoos. It wasn’t his fault she was exhausted. “May I have a house Riesling?”
    “Absolutely. And you?” He turned to Joe, who ordered an English-style brown porter produced by a local craft brewer. “Great choice. I’ll be right back.”
    “The weather is perfect,” Taylor said as Leo retreated. She sipped the water, while watching a car drive down Euclid. The sky was full black; they sat beneath the streetlights.
    “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry,” Joe said.
    “For what?” She unwrapped the flatware, put the napkin in her lap and the silverware on the metal table.
    “You were right. I’ve been a jerk. Hell, probably been a real ass.”
    Taylor couldn’t help herself. Her lips inched into a smile. “And you just realized this?”
    “The questions return.” He chuckled, amazingly not offended by her instant rebuke. “I’m sure I deserved that. Although you could simply be kind and accept my heartfelt apology.”
    The man had a way of getting under her skin, and his knees were far too close to hers.
    “As long as you try not to do it again. An apology’s only as good as the actions behind it. I learned that lesson the hard way.”
    “Well, I’m good for it. Scout’s honor.” Her lip puckered, and he laughed, a warm, rumble. “All the way to Eagle. I won’t lie to you.” He turned serious, drummed his fingers on the metal table. “I don’t lie.”
    Their server returned, bringing Joe a draft beer that was a deep brown with a white-foam top. Joe sipped, and wiped his top lip where foam had dared to alight. Taylor swallowed, clutching her fingers in her lap.
    “How is it?”
    He motioned with his glass. “Excellent. Want to try?”
    “I’m okay.” In the soft, warm light he was even more handsome. Unclenching her hands, she reached for her wine and let the tart Riesling roll over her tongue. She sighed, savored. “This hits the spot. Thanks for suggesting we come here. I honestly wasn’t ready to go back. It takes a lot out of you, you know?”
    “Actually, I do know, which is why I’m glad you could spare a few minutes. I’ll admit I needed them.” He drank, worked on finding the right words. “The baby. That’s tough. I was amazed by what you did tonight. Your composure. I