Page 41 of Sizzling Desire

She dodges effortlessly, still laughing as she waltzes out of my office.

The second the door shuts, I collapse back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, at the flowers, at the disaster that is myentire life.

Because Kate might be themost annoyingperson on the planet.

But she’snot wrong.

The door chimes as I step into Bean & Bagel, and I’m already exhausted before I even place my order.

It’s been aday. Between dodging Kate’s relentless teasing and spendingfartoo much time staring at the damn flowers Kane sent, my brain isfried.

I just need sugar. Preferably enough sugar to knock me unconscious or at least make me forget that the man who drives me absolutelyinsanesomehow manages to take up every spare thought I have.

So, of course, when I glance toward the counter, there he stands.

Because the universehates me.

Kane stands at the register, looking entirely too comfortable, like he owns the damn place. His dark jeans and fitted t-shirt do unholy things for his body, his firefighter build impossible to ignore. His hair is still damp, like he just showered, and I don’t want to know what that means for my sanity.

He’s laughing at something the barista says, flashing thatannoyingly perfectgrin, the one that sends half the women in here into a collective swoon. I swear I see one girlclutch her pearls.

I should walk out. Leave before he sees me. Avoid him at all costs.

But my feet? Yeah. They don’t listen. I step forward just as he turns.

Our eyes meet.

The grin fades, just a little, like he wasn’t expecting me, and for a split second, neither of us moves. Then—likealways—he recovers first.

“Well, well,” Kane drawls, eyes sweeping over me in a slow, knowing way that makes my skin burn. “I was wondering when I’d see you again, Gracie.”

I hate it when he calls me that.

Ihatethat my bodylikesit.

I cross my arms, arching a brow. “I didn’t realize this was your personal coffee shop.”

“Didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on my habits.”

“Hardnotto when you’re everywhere I go,” I shoot back.

Kane smirks. “Maybe you’re just drawn to me.”

I roll my eyes. “Maybe I have a death wish.”

His laughter islow,gravelly, and entirely too sexy for a man I supposedly can’t stand.

I refuse to acknowledge the way my stomach flips.

Kane takes a step closer, just enough to make my breath hitch. “Come on, Gracie. Admit it. You’d be bored without me.”

I scoff, ignoring the way his presence completely derails my equilibrium. “I’d beat peacewithout you.”

“Liar,” he murmurs, his voice dangerously close to something I don’t have the strength to deal with tonight.

I open my mouth, prepared torip him apart, but then—he tilts his head slightly, studying me with something far too perceptive.

“Always keeping me on my toes,” he says, voice low. “That’s what I love about you.”

---