Page 4 of Hot in the City
A hint of something in the air, the scent of rich, warm coffee or vibrant, hot man, then his thighs. Dammit. His denim-clad thighs were right there beside her, firm and sumptuous enough to bite.
Samuel was at her side, delivering her coffee and truffle. He placed them on the table and as he shifted his hand, brushed his thumb against her knuckles. His touch was warm, sending tingles every which way.
She trembled so violently she drew a jagged line right across her page and dropped her pen. It clattered against the tiled floor.
“Sorry. Oh, man. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He crouched down and picked it up. She could only stare.
Their eyes were level. Her fingertips twitched, wanting to reach out and stroke her hand across his jaw, press her lips to his. Of course, she didn’t move. He placed the pen gently on her notebook.
Then he trilled at her, or rather, his jeans did. She blinked, regaining her senses. He grabbed his phone from his back pocket and stood, mouthing the word ‘sorry’ again as he took the call and walked away.
She shouldn’t have listened, but she couldn’t write. Her heart pounded too hard and her skin felt two sizes too small. Sipping her coffee, she tried not to overhear his conversation. She just didn’t try very hard. There were only a couple of other customers in the café so late in the afternoon and from where he stood behind the espresso machine, his voice carried loud and clear.
“Talia, sweetheart, I asked you to call me tonight.”
Sweetheart? Her stomach clenched. He did have a girlfriend. Of course he does, genius!
“I know, the time difference is a killer. That’s exactly the problem.”
Time difference. So, she was somewhere overseas. Probably on holiday or at a work conference. What did the beautiful Talia do for a job? No doubt she was beautiful. Probably a supermodel, or a brain surgeon. A glamorous supermodel brain surgeon.
“I know, I know. The opportunity of a lifetime. I get it.”
Beth risked a glance at Samuel and found him already looking at her. His eyes snared her in a trap, pulling her down into his sexy lair. She didn’t mind being lured in. Not one bit. Then he turned away, raking a hand through his luscious black hair. She let out a staggered breath. The moment, the connection, lost. She ducked her head, taking a big bite of her truffle.
“I just wanted to be a part of it. Not stuck on the other side of the world.”
Sipping her latte, she choked on a gulp that went down the wrong way. Was there trouble in paradise with the beautiful Talia?
“Talk later. Yep, me too.”
Him too. What? Loved her? Missed her? Wanted to tie her up in his man-cave and shag her senseless so she’d never leave home again?
Her hand tightened on her coffee cup. It didn’t matter. He was off-limits. She should never have entertained the idea. She finished her treat in a gloomy fog that not even chocolate could dissipate.
She left her money on the table, her hand shaking. She didn’t want him to see that. No way she’d approach the counter or talk to him again. But he walked by as she was nearing the door. He stopped and folded those muscular arms across his chest, causing the dragon’s wings to take flight across his forearm.
“I have a confession. You asked yesterday about the poems.” He hesitated, biting his full lower lip. “I write them. Songs too. Some people inspire me, you know?” His smile tipped up on one side, letting his dimple out to play. Melting her insides.
He couldn’t mean her, could he? Was she his inspiration, as he was hers? That would be too perfect. Her life and perfect didn’t fit together.
And yet. . . she hadn’t given up. She wanted to find that someone special. Her ex-husband Pete hadn’t been her one true love, but she’d known that going in with eyes wide open. Luckily, she’d learned from the experience. She wouldn’t settle again.
“I write too.” Taking a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut for a second. Then the words tumbled out. “Short stories mostly. Love stories, fantasy too.”
“I know. I mean, I didn’t spy on your work, but I always see you writing in your notebook. You look like you enjoy it.”
“A couple of my stories are being published soon. In an anthology.” She ducked her head so her curly hair fell over her face. Why did she tell him that? If he was anything like Pete, or Jenny, he’d soon put her in her place for getting excited over her small achievement. Then he’d be no-one special, no-one to fantasise about.
“That’s fantastic! You’ll have to let me know when the book comes out. I’ll be first in line for your autograph.”
She lifted her head and beamed all over him. Of course, he’d be the only person in her life who’d get excited for her. Somehow, she’d known he’d understand and be happy for her. He was lovely like that. Lovely but taken. Her annoying conscience spoke up, whooshing the breath out of her lungs. She held onto the door handle for support.
She had to go. Had to get back to work, but more importantly, she needed to get away from Samuel. He had a girlfriend, and it wasn’t cool to flirt with him any longer. She’d never break up someone else’s relationship to get what she wanted. Unlike her charming ex-husband who saw their neighbour’s pretty young wife and moved in for the kill.
“See you tomorrow, Beth.” Samuel nodded and pushed open the door for her.
She couldn’t answer. Her tight smile fell away as she stepped outside, her good mood left behind.
