I’ll head over and grab a large coffee next door, maybe two. Today will be a very productive day fueled by caffeine, a coffeehouse breakfast sandwich, and possibly a muffin top for a mid-morning snack. I laugh at myself.
Opening my car door, I hop out with my small tool bag. Not sure why I bring it back and forth. It’s not like I’ll be working on my house this week, so I should leave it at the office. Unlocking the door, I toss the tool bag inside and lock it back up.
I walk into the coffeehouse, and the coffee aroma sends my heart thudding…for her, always for her.
The barista finishes with the customer in front of me, then says to me, “Good morning, what can I get for you?”
“Morning, can I have an extra-large coffee, if you have it?”
“Yes, we do,” she says as she pulls out the largest paper cup in the lineup and holds it up for me to see.
“Great, I’ll take an extra-large black cinnamon hazelnut hot coffee, a red velvet muffin top, and a turkey bacon, egg, and American cheese on a croissant to go, please.” Talking about food, my stomach growls, not loud enough for anyone to hear.
She repeats back my order and asks, “Your name?”
“Kai. Thank you.” I move to the other end of the counter, where I’ll pick up myorder.
To pass the time, I pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll through social media. My name is called within a few minutes. I pick up my coffee and food and walk next door.
I place everything down on the counter. Surveying the space, trying to figure out what I’ll work on first, I decide it’s finishing the painting.
Turning around to grab my tool bag, I freeze. Nothing moves but my head as I watch Ava walk past the office windows. Her hair’s blowing in the wind, and she’s wearing a dress that flows with every step she takes. Never once does she glance my way. I track her until she disappears beyond the sidewalk, wondering where she’s heading.
I hold myself back, and I don’t walk to the door. The need to walk up to her tugs on my body. Let’s be real for a minute; it’s kind of creepy to say,‘hey, I saw you walking and was wondering where you’re going.’I definitely don’t need the creep factor radiating off me. So, I move back to my tool bag and gather what I need to finish the painting today.
Time goes by fast when you’re having fun. Although I wouldn't say painting is fun, there's a sense of accomplishment as I step back and take in my handiwork.
When I turn around, I’m staring into those hazel eyes that spread fire in my chest on the other side of the glass. She stops in her tracks, mouth open, but it turns upward into her beautiful smile, which I never want to stop staring at.
The door swings open, and she says, “You didn’t tell me your new office was right next door to the coffeehouse.” She gestures to the space before her. I guess I missed telling her that detail.
I shove my hand through my hair and take a few steps toward her. “Well, do you like it?”
“Wow, Kai, this is amazing.” She walks straight to me while still gawking at the space.
We’re only a couple of feet away from each other, and I can’t keep my hands to myself. Not with her around—gorgeous.Her hair is downand wavy on her shoulders. One more step, and it’s like electric sparks are bouncing between us. I cup her face with both my hands, tilting upward where our eyes link with each other. “Ava, you’re gorgeous.”
Hazel eyes with flecks of gold sparkle back at me, and her body moves closer to snake her arms around my waist. Her tiny hands are holding my back, and there’s no more restraint left in me. I dive into her lips, holding onto her tightly, like maybe she’ll leave. There’s no way I’m letting her go, not now. I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to. Because with the way my body is crackling with heat and jolts of lightning, I can’t live without this, without her.
How the hell am I convincing her to stay here in Saxville with me?
The intensity kicks up, my hands move from her face and drag down her back straight for that ass you can bounce a coin off of. I grab hold of it, pulling her into me. Blood has been rushing south since she walked through the door. My erection is trying to burst through the zipper. She feels it because her entire body shivers when she rubs against it.
When I pull away, I say on her lips, “What are you doing down here?”
“I was meeting with Joan, the owner of the coffeehouse, about potentially purchasing it. It was supposed to be tomorrow, but she was blown away by my personality and drive from when we chatted on Saturday; she wanted to move up our meeting.”
The excitement radiating from her is contagious; a smile spreads across my face. “You were considering staying, but now you’re contemplating purchasing the coffeehouse too?” My mouth drops open.
“Trust me, it’s a bit surprising to me too. I’ve been ping-ponging between staying in Saxville and keeping up my nomadic life. We’ve talked about it. With Theresa ready to pop, it’s becoming real for me. It’s hitting me how much I’ve missed time with my sister and her family. It’s time to show up.” Her head bows down and lifts back up, misty eyes in my line of sight.
Swallowing hard, I reach up to brush my fingers across her cheek. “You okay?” I whisper into the air between us, with my hand lingering on her jaw as her breath hitches.
“It’s just…” She stares up at me. “I don’t want to miss out on anything else.”
My other hand moves up to her face. “I know how that feels.” The crackling heat shooting up my arms is undeniable. But I can’t quite read her. I bring her into my chest and hug her tightly, rubbing her back as she rests her head on my chest. She slides her hands around my body, and it’s right. The calm that spreads through my body leaves me holding her a bit longer.
I’m not moving until she releases me first because I’d hold her as long as she lets me—forever.
