Page 83 of Heat & Deceit
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The brownies make it all of two hours out of the oven before getting destroyed. I scrape the full pan into the trash before I leave for work and glare at them. I’m sure they’re delicious. It would probably make more sense to take them to work and share them, but I can’t. My baking isn’t something to be shared. It’s a process I go through to survive a craving. Keeping the dessert around is like holding on to a screaming reminder of how weak I am.
I set the pan into the sink and grab my things, locking up and beginning my morning trek to work. Arriving at Tranquility a little after six a.m., I clock in and say hi to Tonya, who is already halfway through the opening procedures.
“Which area do you want to work?” I ask as I tie on my apron.
“Can I work the register?”
“For sure.” I grin at her, and she nods, slipping into the back room to grab more cups.
The bells to the front door jingle, and I turn to let the customer know we don’t open until six thirty, but my words die in my throat. Lycus, in all his god-like glory, struts through the shop. He’s wearing a pair of black jogging pants that do absolutely nothing to hide what’s underneath and a simple white T-shirt that stretches across his broad chest. His dark hair is messy, and a shadow of a beard covers his jaw, almost like he crawled out of bed right before heading here.
My mouth drops open, but I quickly snap it shut.
It’s really not fair how hot he is right now.
Arresting dark brown eyes collide with mine, curious and hungry for something I can’t give him. The air is suddenly thicker, harder to breathe in, but I can’t tear my gaze from him. That look...it’s intoxicating.
I swallow and wrench my gaze away, a little ashamed of my middle-of-the-night sleuthing.
“Morning, Rain.” His voice is deep and gravelly.
“That’s not my name,” I say with a huff, rolling my eyes at yet another obnoxious nickname he’s decided to give me before I can stop myself from reacting. Dammit. He provokes me.
His lips kick into a devastating grin as he comes to a stop in front of the cash register. Thank fuck for the counter between us, otherwise I would have definitely checked out his crotch. Sweatpants are the devil’s workshop, and damn if I’m not desperate to be a sinner. Amber slams into me. Instead of trying not to breathe it in, I take a greedy inhale, finding a bit of comfort in his scent after not seeing him for so long.
I missed him.
Fuck.
“Sleep well?” His left eyebrow peaks with mischief.
“Um, yeah.”
“Hmm. Well, that makes one of us.” His gaze tracks over my face before slowly inching down my body. “I’ve been up for hours. Scrolling.”
Oh god.
He saw the request.
I’m half ready to shoutmy eyes are up here, you big dumb handsome alphawhen Tonya pushes through the supply room door.
“Good morning, Tonya,” he says to her, flicking his gaze up to meet mine. Raw. Fucking. Hunger.
Am I relieved she doesn’t have a nickname? Absolutely.
This is so fucked.
“Morning.” Tonya gives him an obligatory wave before going back to her work.
Speaking of, I should probably help. “What else do we need to do?” I ask her, walking away from Lycus, and while I can’t see him, I feel his attention on me. I sense his interest. The hairs on my arms rise, and when the weight of his gaze finally leaves me, a small shudder races down my spine.
“We need napkins, chocolate syrup, and oat milk. If you grab those, I can count the drawer.”
“I’m on it.” I head to the back at a clipped pace, realizing Lycus is heading in the same direction.
My energy snaps to attention when the back door swings shut behind him, giving us an illusion of privacy. I press my lips together and grab a bundle of napkins from the shelf.
