Twist My Heart by Brooke Taylor (ebook audio reader .txt) 📕

“Dressing?” she asked carefully.

“One of each on the side, please.”

“Of course.”

He handed their menus to her with a smile. “Thank you, ma’am.”

Wanda may hate him now, but he’d be sure to tip enough to be getting Christmas cards from her for the next ten years.

Chapter Eight

Nik rubbed his palms together as Wanda approached with the first of three large trays of food. “You’re in for a treat, Tigger,” he said as he shot me a smile across the yellow booth.

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

His Adam’s apple bobbled before he flashed a grin. “I have to call you something. Now, I need you to stay focused. It’s important for you to hit this hard and fast. This kind of food is best when it’s hot. I’m going to need you to keep moving and try everything.”

I couldn’t even speak I was so excited. I pushed myself up with my palms, kicking off the oversized flip-flops and crossing my legs underneath me to give me a better view of the offerings.

“We’re going to begin with breakfast. Fork up!” he commanded. I eagerly pulled my silverware from the cloth napkin as he slid the large breakfast platter in front of me. “Start with the eggs.”

I looked at each egg and chose the fluffy scrambled one first. The texture was interesting, a little weird and the flavor a bit bland. “They’re okay.”

“Now the over easy, like this.” He dug his fork into the yolk, taking a bite himself. I copied him.

“I like it.”

“Me too.” He shoveled in another bite, this time big enough to finish the egg off.

“Hey!”

“Don’t worry, Tiggs, we have bigger and better things ahead.” Taking two slices of meat, he ate one and held out the other. “I give you…bacon.”

I nipped a small piece off the strip… Oh yeah, this is some good stuff. I leaned back across for another bite, but he snatched it away.

“Eh eh eh… One taste each, you’ve got a lot of ground to cover, soldier.” He broke it in half before pushing both pieces into his mouth, devouring them as I forlornly watched on. “Moving forward, the sausage.”

I pouted as I finished the link. Not as good as the bacon, but a solid contender. The hash browns were good, but bland.

“Very astute. I now give you these.” He gathered the salt and pepper shakers. “Use them wisely. A little can go a long way. We also have ketchup. And if you need more artillery, this is some damn good stuff.”

“Tabasco?” I reached out, but he held it just beyond my grasp.

“Not yet, rookie.”

I huffed. “Rookie.”

“You’re not ready for this one.”

I leaned across the table, laughing as I wrestled it from his grip. His sudden release gave me pause, but I removed the cap and shook some of the orange liquid onto the hash browns. Despite the smell prickling the inside of my nose, I boldly took a bite. The split in my lip caught fire first—nerve endings screaming as if pulled apart. A bitter heat scoured my tongue. “Ugh, yuck, no! Make it stop!”

Laughing, he slid the water glass in front of me. I swished the cold liquid throughout my mouth as he asked, “Better?”

“No, it’s still there. I need bacon. Get me bacon.”

His laughter boomed through the nearly empty restaurant, drawing curious looks from the other customers. “Nice try. No bacon, rookie.”

By the time we’d gotten to the sweet roll my cheeks were already sore from smiling and laughing. “Close your eyes for this one,” he commanded.

I reluctantly complied, worried he’d give me a shot of nasty Tabasco stuff while I wasn’t watching. A sweet scent with a warm depth tickled my senses. Definitely not Tabasco. It took me back to the moment when I’d first opened my eyes to find him leaning over me and telling me to stay with him.

“Smell good?”

“Very.” As I drew in another deep breath, the corners of my mouth turned up. “It reminds me of something.”

“A memory? Of what?”

I exhaled, lifting my eyelids slowly, bringing his face into view as I admitted, “You.”

“Eyes closed,” he scolded.

I obediently squeezed them shut.

I expected frustration since the recollection wasn’t from before the tornado, but there was a lift to his voice when he eventually asked, “I smell like cinnamon and sugar?”

“Your breath kind of did…when you saved me.”

The soft sound of his breathing paused. Then he chuckled. “I’d been eating Fireballs by the handful. You’ve got a good nose. Okay, open your mouth.”

I gripped the table in anticipation, my lips parting as I leaned forward.

“Wider…” From the tight, gritty sound of his voice, I felt certain his jaw was ticking hard. “Tongue out.”

The corners of my mouth lifted at the sound of his breathy groan when I complied. Fingertips ghosted between my lips as he deposited the piece he’d carefully dissected for ‘maximum taste bud exposure’ into my mouth. “Savor it.”

It melted over my tongue as I closed down on it. The gooey, warm bread spread out, filling my mouth with a heavenly, creamy sweetness. I took my time, enjoying each nuance, sighing after it passed completely down my throat. Eager for another bite, I opened my eyes to catch him finishing the rest of it off.

“That was a trick!” I wailed, realizing why he’d made me close my eyes. “Wanda! We’ll need another sweet roll and a side of bacon!”

“Not this round, ma’am. Time for lunch.”

By the time I’d tried everything, my stomach was painfully full of food and my heart ached with gratitude. Watching Wanda’s expressions as she’d come to take dirty plates away, I could tell this wasn’t normal. People didn’t do this. From her smiles, mostly at Nik, I knew she had no idea what was going on, but she sensed his kindness, his generous spirit. And I knew Nik wasn’t normal either. He was special. What he was doing for me was above and beyond anything anyone else would’ve.

What had I done to deserve his kindness? I’d been nothing but