Page 27 of Ravish

Lara slipped inside, closed the door, and threw the deadbolt. With her back against the door, she slid down to sit on the floor and basked in the warm fuzzies. She waited until she heard Colby’s motorcycle start and then until the sound of the engine faded away before she forced herself to stand. Setting the alarm, Lara made her way to her bedroom.

She’d see him tomorrow and in class on Thursday. Her life was about to become very interesting. Stripping out of her clothing, she realized she still had the leather jacket Colby gave her. She’d give it back to him tomorrow. Or maybe she’d keep it until she got one of her own. She buried her nose in the jacket, and remembered being wrapped around Colby with the wind rushing through her hair. The rumble of the bike under her and her blood soaring through her veins.

A smile crept over her lips. Maybe she’d find some time, check out Colby’s shop, and get herself a nice leather jacket. She was curious about his shop, and it was the perfect opportunity to see Colby again.

* * * *

Colby unlocked the door to his shop and began to walk around the store. He made mental notes of items that were running low. When the door opened, he turned.

“Well, good morning, beautiful. What brings you here?” He was happy to see Lara; he just hadn’t expected to see her in his store.

“I come bearing gifts.” She held up a cup of coffee and a white bag.

“You’re a lifesaver.” He’d texted her this morning that he was running late so he wouldn’t be over to the café until later. Leave it to her to bring him his morning coffee.

“I wouldn’t want you to fall asleep on the job.” She walked over to the counter and set his coffee and bag down. “Besides I’ve been wanting to come in and see your shop.”

“Curious are we?”

“You bet I am. I’ve been so busy with the café and the classes at the club over the last few weeks that I haven’t had time until today.”

Lara was doing fantastic at the classes. She seemed curious and willing to explore, so he couldn’t have asked for a better partner.

“Did you finally get through all your interviews for new hires?” Colby took the lid off and inhaled, closing his eyes in bliss. The heavenly smell of deep, rich coffee woke him up almost as much as Lara’s smile.

“Yes, I finally did. I have at least four potential employees. Now I have to narrow the field.”

“You’re not going to hire all four?” Colby opened the bag and peeked in, distracted by its contents. He pulled out the white wrapper and set it on the napkin. Slowly he opened it and stared. “Okay, what is this?”

Lara’s laughter floated through the air. “I don’t need four new people, and it’s a new sandwich I’m trying out. Take a bite, and tell me what you think.”

Colby stared at the sandwich. He saw ham and cheese, but what else was there? With a shrug of the shoulders, he lifted up the sandwich and took a bite.

The saltiness of the ham and bacon mixed in with the spicy tang of sausage hit his tongue, then the sharp cheddar cheese along with the milder Swiss made itself known. He chewed and swallowed.

“This is great,” he said.

“Thank you.” Lara moved around the shop, stopping every so often. “The bread is a slightly toasted artesian sourdough.”

Colby took another bite and then another. “How did you come up with this one?”

“I thought about what you said, last week. About how some people want more protein. I figured I’d start with this, and for those who don’t want the carbs, I can put it in a lettuce wrap.”

“I think this is going to be a big hit. What are you going to call it?” He kept his gaze on her as he polished off the sandwich and finished his coffee.

“I’m not sure yet.” Lara stood by the women’s jackets. He watched her pull one off and try it on.

The jacket fit a heck of a lot better than the one he’d loaned her. Colby made note of which jacket she was trying on so, when she put it back, he could take it off the rack and give it to her as a present.

He kept his gaze on her as she put the jacket back and then wandered around the store. She paused by the sign that said,21 and over. “Go take a look,” he encouraged. They’d walked around the club last Thursday as part of her last class. She didn’t flinch at anything she saw and even asked lots of questions. He’d never get tired of giving her answers.

“And just what am I going to find?”

“I don’t want to spoil the surprise.” He kept his gaze on her until she shrugged her shoulders and slipped into the partitioned off area. Colby turned as the door opened. “Morning, Kase.”

“Morning, boss. I’ll put my stuff in the office and get to work.”

“No problem.” Colby moved out from behind the counter. “I’ll be in the adult area. Holler if you need me.”

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