“It’s five o’clock in the afternoon. A little too late for breakfast don’t you think?”
“Or early. Depends on which way you look at it.” He winked and started to head down the cereal aisle towards the front doors. “C’mon, I’m starving.”
I followed him out the front doors and into the late afternoon sunlight. When I saw the Harley, I faltered.
“Oh don’t be a baby!” he said climbing on.
Hesitantly, I followed him, awkwardly straddling the back of the Harley.
“I guess it’s one way to get between my legs,” I grumbled as I tied my hair into a knot on top of my head.
Heath laughed and grabbed my hands, securing them around his waist.
“I like how you think, H-bomb,” he said, flicking down his aviators.
With a flick of his strong wrist the Harley rumbled to life and he eased us into the traffic. It only took me a few minutes to relax and begin to enjoy our ride through the sunny streets. The warmth of his body against my chest and the deep vibration of the motorbike sent tiny tremors down my spine and throughout my body. I could hold onto him all day and night and not get tired of it.
Wind whipped past us and I ducked in closer to shield myself against its cool bite. Holding him this close I could feel the taut muscles beneath his t-shirt whenever he moved and the sensation was … wow.
All too soon our ride was over and we pulled up out the front of a dinner with the name Johnny Rockets illuminated in a neon sign out the front.
Johnny Rockets was a quintessential 1950s diner with a shiny checkered floor and gleaming red booths. Framed posters of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and other icons of the era lined the walls alongside ’50s pin up girls in modest bikinis. Against one wall an old-style jukebox played early rock n roll. The smell of burgers and fries lingered with that of milkshake and cherry pie.
We slid into a booth along the far wall. It was too early for the dinner crowd, and apart from a couple at the soda bar and a table of tourists at a booth by the front windows, it was quiet.
Straightaway an eager blonde waitress appeared at our table.
“Hey, Heath, sugar,” she greeted Heath in a heavy Texan accent and with a playful wink. Shiny pink lips parted into a large white smile. Her blonde hair was pulled into a style reminiscent of the era and she wore a tight Rockabilly dress that did little to hide her curves. “How’s my favorite babe? Have you been behaving?”
Heath smiled, feigning innocence. “When don’t I?”
Her long lashes blinked and she smiled. “Oh I can think of a few times. Can I get you your usual drink?”
He nodded. “Thanks Elly.”
“What about you honey?” She turned her attention to me, her blue eyes twinkling and rolling over me. “What can I get you?”
Heath leaned forward. “You should try the malt shakes here. They’ll ruin you.”
I was all for a bit of ruining so I shrugged, “Okay. Why not.”
I could feel the waitress looking at me. “Sure thing. I’ll be back with your drinks and I’ll take your order then.” An unusual look passed between her and Heath. It was a secret smile from her that made his dimples crease in his cheeks.
I frowned.
“What?” Heath asked.
After watching the gorgeous blonde disappear into the kitchen, I asked, “A fan of yours?”
Heath looked puzzled. “Elly?”
“If that’s what her name is.”
“It’s what’s on her name badge,” he said with a wicked twinkle in his eyes.
“Whatever. I guess I should just be pleased she isn’t throwing a drink at you.”
Heath laughed. “She hasn’t come out with them yet. Maybe you should get ready to duck.”
“Really? You’ve nailed her too?” I rolled my eyes. “Why am I surprised?”
Heath burst into laughter, holding his palm flat against his stomach. “Oh c’mon H-bomb! You seem think if it has girlie bits and a pulse that I have nailed it. I’m not really that bad.”
Girlie bits? Did he really just say that?
I shrugged. “I don’t care.”
His smile faded and his eyes were serious. “I didn’t nail her.”
I shrugged again. “Like I said, I don’t care. Y’all can sleep with whomever you like. It makes no difference to me.”
He took on a mischievous look. “H-bomb, I wouldn’t have a chance with Elly if I were the last man on earth.”
“C’mon Heath. I saw the look she gave you when she was walking away. It’s okay. I’m here for the food. Not to sleep with you.”
“You’re not going to sleep with me, I get it.” He leaned in, his eyes bright and a playful smile on his face. “And that look … that was Elly letting me know she approves.”
“Of what?”
It was his turn to roll his eyes. “You.”
“Me?”
“Don’t be so surprised. You’re gorgeous.”
“I’m confused.”
He grinned. “Let’s just say, you would have more of a chance with Elly, than me.”
Momentarily, I was puzzled and then it dawned on me. “She…?”
Heath nodded. “Likes women … yes.”
I cocked a brow at him. “Bullshit.”
“True story.”
I studied his face for a moment and then shrugged. “Whatever.”
“She thinks you’re hot. I can tell.”
“Of course you can.” I studied my menu.
He cocked his brow in the sexist way. “I do too.”
I shot him a warning look over my menu. Even if it was kind of nice hearing him say it. I decided to change the subject.
“So, are there more Dillingers, or did they break the mold when they made you?”
He grinned. “I have an older brother, Leigh, and a younger brother and sister, Nikki and Rhett. They’re twins.”
“Do you see them often?”
“I live with them. A few years back Mom and Dad bought a property in Napa Valley but us kids stayed in the family home.” He shrugged. “We make it work. And it’s nice having them around. As a family we’re pretty close. Although, Leigh is away a lot because he competes in the UFC and Rhett’s at college and lives on campus. Well he says he does, but he always seems to be at our place eating our food.”
He dipped his French fries in mayo and then ketchup. “We also have cousins in Alabama. Dad was born in Eureka and still has family there.” He bit into his French fries. “What about you? Is it just you or are there more of you back in Georgia?”
“I have an older brother, Harry. Well it’s Harrison, actually, but he’d cringe if y’all called him that. He’s twenty-one. And then there’s Harper, my younger sister. She’s sixteen going on twenty-one.”
When I looked up Heath was grinning.
“What?”
“I just enjoy listening to your accent.”
“I don’t have an accent.”
“You’re in my town now, remember? You’ve got an accent and it’s awesome.”
I rolled my eyes and Elly arrived with our drinks. I had to admit that the malt shake was just as amazing as Heath had said. Trying not to make eye contact with Elly, only because I knew it would make Heath happy to see me blush under her gaze, I ordered my burger and fries off the menu, fully aware of Heath’s amused grin.
When she left, I took a mouthful of my frothy milkshake.
“So how did you come up with the name Vengeance?”
“It’s from a John Legend song called ‘Who Did That To You?’ Do you know it?”
When I shook my head he explained. “It’s from the first two lines of the song.” He sang them to me and added, “It’s an awesome song. Slow tempo. Distinct beat. Dark undertones. It’s a promise of revenge.” His blue eyes gleamed. “Quiet revenge.”
“Have you thought of doing a cover of it?” I asked.
“I thought about it. But I don’t really want to mess with it.”
“Do you have any other favorite songs you’d like to do?”