Page 4 of With Us

I looked to the man who I assumed was Luc, waiting for his comeback. He only nodded, picking up his cup. “Thanks.”

After a quick stop so Luc could add what looked like a full pound of sugar to his coffee, the men took a seat at a small table by the window. They pulled out their phones, but seemed to be being productive, as opposed to scrolling through Facebook.

Pretending to wipe down the already spotless space, I tried to sneak a few peeks at the unnamed man. There was a powerful edge to him that went far beyond his appearance. Even Luc followed his lead, and he didn’t strike me as anIgortype assistant.

The man’s navy blue dress shirt definitely didn’t look like he’d plucked it from the Target clearance rack. The fit was so perfect, accommodating his wide shoulders and chest while not billowing at his trim waist, I had to wonder if it was tailored. The sleeves were rolled a couple times, showing a different masculine watch. Once again, it was far from a superstore buy.

My gaze moved to his strong jaw, full lips, and cheekbones so defined they’d make a top model envious. Reaching his already dark brown eyes, I saw they were almost black, his gaze locked with mine.

Busted!

I bit back my embarrassed squeak and lowered my head to resume cleaning, scrubbing at an invisible stain.

Well, at least I’m not feeling tired anymore.

Theo

“I take it that’s her,” Luc said as we sat, a smile in his voice. Glancing over at her, he turned back as he unwrapped a muffin. “Pretty. But there are things we should be discussing that shouldn’t be said in a public place like this.”

“So watch what you say,” I said, my eyes wandering over to the women.

“And things that need your full attention.”

I looked over in time to see him take a big bite of the pastry, following it up with a wink aimed toward the group of women sitting diagonal to us. Their giggles earned them a smile from Luc, which resulted in loudly whispered conversation.

“You were saying?” I asked.

Ignoring me, he opened my schedule on his phone. “We need to leave here in a half hour. You want more time, I can rearrange some stuff, but there are some important… matters you should attend to personally.”

I raised my chin in acknowledgment.

Luc sighed before continuing. “I did what digging I could, but without a name or a face, I got nowhere. The face will help, but a name would be better.”

As Luc ran through my schedule, I felt her gaze on me. I looked over to see her eyes slowly moving up. The deliberate way she studied me had me clenching my fists in an effort not to move.

When she met my eyes, I did nothing to mask my expression. Her cat eyes widened, her full, fuckable lips parting in an invitation I doubted she knew she was extending.

Cazzo.

I watched, completely enthralled as the woman lowered her head and blew her hair out of her face. She continued wiping down what had to be a gleaming surface. A blush spread across her cheeks, travelling down to her chest.

Bellissima.

“A name,” Luc reiterated, switching the conversation again. “I mean, I could go strike up a conversation—”

“Luca,” I warned with a scowl. Standing, I chugged as much of the bitter coffee as I could tolerate. I tilted my head toward our avid audience. “If you’re making a move, now’s the time.”

Not waiting for a response, I approached the counter again.

The blonde looked up from her phone, the pink flush spreading across her high cheeks. Nervously, she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear, only for it to fall right back. “A refill?”

“Please.”

Taking my cup, she turned and dumped the old stuff before replacing it with the fresh brew.

I fought the urge to grimace at the flat, one-dimensional smell. When she handed the cup back, my fingertips stroked her inner wrist as I took it. “Thanks…” I let the word hang.

Her brows lowered as she tapped her chest before shaking her head. “Wrong job. I wear a nametag at my other one,” she muttered before smiling and tucking her hair behind her ear. “Dahlia.”

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