Page 69 of The Need to Know

Ezekiel appeared thoughtful, stroking at his scruffy jaw. “Uh, can I get shrimp and try yours?”

“Of course.” I wasn’t like this with anyone, but I didn’t think to overthink sharing food with Ezekiel. At Dellucci’s we ate like a team, sharing the chicken francaise and my cannelloni as if it were second nature.

“This is all new to me. Should we order a lot, and split it?”

“Oh no, it’s a lot as is portion wise, but trust me, I can drink you under the table and eat you under the table.”

His eyes ran over me. “I’d rather eat you under the table.”

I froze. “That’s a friendly thing to say.”

“So, she’s made up her mind.”

Did I? I couldn’t deny I liked the way he flirted with me. The way he was taking in my clothing and all my exposed skin. The way he jumped to come and check the situation with Corey.

“Have you seen anyone else while it’s been crazy between us?” I focused on ordering our two Pad Thais while I awaited his answer. I couldn’t care if he did sleep with someone else, but I did want to know.

“No. Have you been on any dates?” A look at him found him amused and I hated how attracted to him I was. He really had a nice mouth. A mouth I wanted to feel all over my skin. Clean and big hands fit to hold me while I quivered against him.

Get a grip!

“I told you, work has been kicking my ass. I’m way too tired to scope men out and see who’s worth a shot. Dating is honestly the worst because they all talk the same smooth game in the beginning,” I confessed. “Thai spring rolls?”

“They’re like egg rolls, right? Get some,” Ezekiel answered. “And I mean, I’m sure not all men who approach you are full of it.”

“There’s like a five-minute mask they wear before they switch up. Some of y’all are way too aggressive,” I said. “We can be talking for a second before they’re ready for sex. And don’t get me started on how they swear their sex game is A1. ‘This dick can change your life.’ ”

Ezekiel cracked up, falling over on his side. “Not that cancer-curing dick.”

I laughed along with him. “Talk about false promises.” Going back to my phone, I tried to go easy, because often, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. “Thai dumplings?”

“Steamed,” Ezekiel said. “And hey.” He got softer as he reached out and touched my shoulder. “I don’t come off like that, do I?”

Ever since the day we’d met he’d been nothing more than a gentleman. He never pushed more than I was ready for. He turned me on, aroused me thoroughly, and I knew he knew it. A man of his stature and experience could attempt to talk his way into my panties, but he never insisted when I was apprehensive.

“No,” I let him know. “I’ve almost mounted you twice because you’re not like that. Even when we were talking about sex at BLVCKJVCK, you didn’t make me feel gross or objectified.”

Ezekiel searched my eyes, trying to read me deeper. “I don’t want to tie you up.”

I let out a dry laugh. “What?”

“I’m not into that sado-masochist shit. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m not ‘vanilla,’ or maybe I am, but I don’t fantasize about getting off hurting women or choking them out.”

I liked that he’d said that. Made it known. “That’s good to know.”

Ezekiel turned, to show that he was serious. “Look, all bullshit aside, whether we end up friends, or friends with benefits, I want it clear I don’t want to harm you. I want you to feel safe with me. I want you to know if that dude ever comes back, you can call me and I’ll drop whatever I’m doing to come handle it.”

The look in his eye said he’d meant everything he’d said.

I was at a loss for words. I placed my hand on his as I leaned up and pressed my lips to his cheek. It was probably a bad idea, being this close to him, smelling his cologne and experiencing his energy, it was like a drug pulling me under. The haze of Ezekiel Marcuson was too much to process.

We settled apart and I ordered our food. The foodie in me took over and no longer was I thinking about Corey’s intrusion as I got giddy.

“Okay, so, I don’t like to watch movies when I eat, because usually I’m too engrossed in my food to pay attention. So first we can binge some TV while we eat if that’s okay,” I said. I grabbed my remote and turned on my smart TV. I scrolled through my apps and clicked on Hulu. “You want a drama? Personally, no matter how repetitive it is, I watch and rewatch American Dad or Family Guy. Bob’s Burgers is also a gem.”

“American Dad cool,” Ezekiel said.

“Do you still want to watch a movie? Or⁠—”