Her nervous babbling tugged at those feelings he was trying to ignore.

“There’s a picnic table,” she exclaimed. “I’m glad you can take a break to eat. I wasn’t sure if you got one. Are you hungry?”

For you? Ravenous. He slid her a look that made her blush. Fuck. What am I doing? “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going? I brought everything we need,” she said sweetly.

He leaned closer, breathing in the scent that had haunted him since they’d met. “I need a minute to get my head on straight, or I’m going to put your pretty little ass on that table and eat you for lunch.”

“Oh,” she said with surprise, her gaze darting around them. “Kent might see us.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Do you have a truck or something?”

“Jesus.” Now he was hard. “Give me a second.” He stalked inside to the employee washroom and leaned both hands on the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror. It had taken a solid year before he could even look at himself, and to this day, he still didn’t feel like he knew the man looking back at him. He used to be the kind of guy who could hang out with anyone, strike up conversations, and joke around. Now there was a noose around his neck. Say too much or think about all he’d lost, and it tightened. Say too little, and he scared people. What a fucking mess.

He narrowed his eyes, glowering at the man in the mirror. “Get your ass out there and end this. Cut her off before she gets hurt.”

He washed his hands, strengthening his resolve, and headed back outside, determined to do the right thing. When he rejoined her at the picnic table, she’d already set out their lunches. A cheeseburger and fries for him and fried clams for her.

He straddled the bench, facing her. “Blue Eyes.”

“Yes, Sir Broodiness?” She leaned closer. “Did you take care of your not-so-little problem?”

Her gaze dropped to his crotch, and hell if his dick didn’t start to rise to the occasion. Down, you greedy bastard. “Madigan, this was really sweet of you, but I don’t think we should hook up anymore.”

“I know you don’t,” she said with a shrug. “I got your hint the other night. This is just me paying you back for fixing my Vespa.”

“You don’t need to pay me back, and you certainly didn’t need to bring me lunch.”

“You didn’t need to pay for it, and you gave me several great orgasms. This is the least I can do.”