Page 7 of Possess

“I’m sure she’s fine.” It wasn’t Allyson’s place to discuss her friend’s relationship with Gabriel, even if it was an old one.

“Good. Since we’re both here, do you have some free time on your schedule this afternoon?”

“I might.” Like bodies tangled in sheets time. Allyson closed her eyes at her lusty thoughts. That wouldn’t do.

“Get that suspicious look off your face; it’s about work.” His brown eyes twitched with mischief. “Although I could take some time off if you had something else in mind.”

His voice had dropped to a husky whisper that sent shivers of awareness over her skin. “What do you need…workwise?” She added the last word to make sure they kept things on a business level even if her libido yelled for a more personal afternoon.

“The new counters for the café expansion were finished earlier than expected. So if you have time to look at them and the new office area before you leave after lunch, it would speed up the rest of the process.”

“I think I can spare some time.” She hated paperwork; besides, it would keep her out of the office, and she wouldn’t have to put up with Rudy.

“Good.” The line moved. “Two-thirty good?”

“That’s fine.” It would give her plenty of time to have lunch and catch up with Dani. Allyson made it to the front of the line. She smiled at the young lady and ordered, then stepped aside.

She couldn’t help glancing at Zeke as he ordered. He didn’t flirt with the woman behind the counter, but he did smile at her. Well, of course he smiled; that’s called being kind. Zeke stepped out of the way and behind her.

He was so close heat singed her back. Heck, she could smell his aftershave, all fresh air and pine. She turned slightly. His nose was straight; he had cheekbones a model would kill for, and his eyes twinkled when he looked at her.

“Here you go, Allyson.” A tray was placed on the counter in front of her.

“Thanks.” She reached for the tray.

“Let me.” Zeke picked up the tray before she could close her fingers around it. He turned and carried it over to the table where Dani waited.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Allyson said when she caught up with him at the table.

“A gentleman always helps a lady.” He winked at her after he set the tray down and left.

“Zeke is such a good man,” Dani said as she unloaded the tray.

“I guess.” Allyson took the empty tray and put it in the bin before taking her seat. But her gaze wandered to Zeke by the counter where he waited for his food.

“You guess? Allyson, do you need a doctor? That man is sex on a stick.”

“What?” She stared at Dani.

“Come on, Allyson. You have eyes in your head. That man looks at you like you’re his favorite ice cream cone, and he wants to lick you up.”

She blinked at her friend. “But he’s always professional on the job.”

“Of course, you both are. But aren’t you curious to date him?

“He asked me out before, and I said no.”

“What?” Dani leaned forward. “When did that happen?”

“Once, while you were still in San Francisco, and again right after you came home. It’s no big deal.”

“Yes, it is. Allyson, we’ve known each other a long time. Don’t let your past color what you could have with Zeke.”

“I don’t date anymore, remember? The complications aren’t worth it.”

“Zeke would be. Think about it.”

Allyson nodded. Time to redirect this conversation. “I haven’t seen you date since you came home.” Her friend moved back to town when her grandfather became ill, to help her grandmother. Sometimes, Allyson envied her friend’s grandparents. Being all but abandoned at as a child had left scars on Allyson’s heart.

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