Okay, so he’d had plenty of observation days to back up his vain and vapid assessment. The micro-penis? Pure speculation.
Or maybe that’s just pure hope.
A guy that good-looking must have at least one physical flaw. The universe believes in balance, right?
“But we don’t work together,” Chaz countered, flashing her a grin that made his dimples wink.
The woman in line behind Julia sighed like an actress in a melodrama, and Britt rolled his eyes so hard that he was surprised they stayed in their sockets.
“In a way we do,” Julia insisted. “You’re the key to my success. Without you fueling me with caffeine, I’d be useless. And since I hunt bad guys for a living, surely you don’t want me off my game.”
“Now that’s where you’re wrong.”
Julia cocked her head.
“Idefinitelywant you regardless of your game.”
An evil expression spread over Britt’s face, and at the same time, a blush spread over Julia’s. Her heightened color was accompanied by a dreamy look that alarmed Britt more than if she’d launched a grenade in his direction.
Chaz is that guy, he thought, his jaw grinding so hard it was a miracle his molars didn’t turn to dust.The one begging to have all those pretty teeth rearranged by my fist.
Once again, his legs had a mind of their own. They’d shoved him to a stand before he’d made the conscious decision to move. And since when it came to Julia his ability to control his impulses rested comfortably on the head of a pin, the only thing that stopped him from marching over to the counter and dragging Chaz across it so he could punch the asshat in the peanut pouch was the heavy hand that landed on his shoulder.
“Busted.”
Britt blinked in surprise to find Hewitt Birch standing beside him. His shock was partly because they were miles from the former-menthol-cigarette-factory-turned-custom-motorcycle shop that was their home. Partly because Hew was a recluse—when the guy wasn’t piloting a chopper in a country half a world away, he was in a corner somewhere with his nose buried in a book. But mostly because Britt hadn’t seen Hew come into the coffee shop.
Which meant he’d been so focused on Julia that he’d completely abandoned his training.
“What the hell are you doing on this side of town?” he demanded, feeling a crease form between his eyebrows.
“Watching you watch Agent O’Toole with a broody stare that’s all covetous and hot,” Hew replied in that thick, Downeast Mainer accent that made most folks think he’d been born and raised in Boston.
If Britt had been the blushing sort, he would’ve been red from his toes to the tips of his ears. Since hewasn’t, all he did was retake his seat and sullenly admit, “I’m already hating this conversation, and we’re only one sentence in.”
Hew snorted and grabbed the chair next to Britt, easily lowering his substantial frame into it.
Where Britt was lean and muscular, Hew was big and bulky. They both spent their fair share of time in the BKI outbuilding packed with gym equipment. But Britt chose exercises that honed his agility and endurance while Hew picked up heavy things and put them down again.
“I couldn’t help noticing you’ve spent the last two weeks sneaking out at the crack of dawn to take the train to the other side of the city for a cup of coffee that’s not half as good as the stuff we brew back home.” Hew quirked an eyebrow two shades darker than the auburn hair on his head. “Am I right in assuming that’s due to one hot-to-trot fed?” He hitched his bearded chin in Julia’s direction.
“Never assume, Hew. It makes an ass out of you and m?—”
“Yeah, yeah.” Hew waved him off. “Stop with the diversion tactics and spill the tea. Or…the coffee, as the case may be.” Hew appeared pleased by his own wit. “Are you two secretly dating?”
“No,” Britt hissed. “And keep your voice down. That accent of yours travels.”
“I don’t have an accent.Youhave an accent.” Hew blinked when he realized they had gotten off-topic. Again. He pointed an accusing finger at Britt. “Diversion tactics! Stop it!”
“Shhh!” Britt peeked beyond the condiments and didn’t know if he was relieved or ready to spit nails when he discovered Julia still deep in conversation with Mr. Hero Hair. “And no. Julia and I aren’t secretly dating.”
“Then what are you doing here besides shooting eye daggers at Captain America working the register?”
“If I tell you, you’ll think I’m crazy.”
Hew snorted. “Hate to break it to you, brother, but you think jumping out of perfectly good planes is fun. We passed the exit to crazy miles ago.”
No use lying. Bitt was caught red-handed. “I’ve been coming to…uh…see her.”
