“Any man who lets a woman pay for a thing in his presence is a fool.” I hand the woman behind the counter my credit card and she practically swoons as she swipes it.
Seraphine chews on her lip, an adorable little frown between her perfectly shaped dark brows.
After getting my card back, we move to the end of the counter and await our order. Seraphine seems disturbed by something, but I won’t ask what it is. She was fine before she saw me, so she’s likely upset about something to do with me. My being here, I’m sure. That’s not what I want to hear, therefore I won’t ask the question to get the answer.
When our order is placed on the counter and my name called out, I pick everything up before she can grab hers, and head to a table in the back. Had she got her own items, she’d have been out the door.
“I have to get to work,” she says hurriedly as she follows me.
“You don’t start for another half hour,” I answer, putting everything down on the small round table. “Sit.”
She holds my gaze as I pull the chair out for her and gesture to it with a jerk of my chin.
She sighs and does as I say, hopping into the seat. I get a whiff of something sweet. Her hair, perhaps? Strawberries, maybe? So goddamn innocent.
I sit across from her and pull the top from my coffee for it to cool, sliding hers closer to her. Grabbing the bag with the muffin, she takes it out and pulls a piece off to eat. She’s staring at the table, chewing slowly.
“Why are you here?” she asks after swallowing.
“Coffee.”
She shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so. Am I—Are you—” She looks up at me, concern etched on her face. She leans closer, lowering her voice. “Are you going to have me killed?”
I couldn’t control the bark of a laugh that comes out of me if my life depended on it.
“What on earth would make you think that?” I ask.
Though I had considered it, I can’t imagine it being necessary. Not after meeting her. There isn’t a cruel bone in this woman’s body. Which only makes me realize how much of an idiot my son truly is.
“Well, you made me go to your house to give you a massage. Showed up at my work. Admitted to trying to bribe me. And now you’re here, and I’m pretty sure you are stalking me.”
“I’d say that’s all a little dramatic, don’t you?” Her brows shoot up. “I simply requested your presence at my house for a massage, which isn’t out of the ordinary. Your boss obliged. Yes, I showed up at your work and was trying to bribe you, but that is better than blackmail, is it not? And stalking?” I shake my head. “Not my style.”
Though, to be fair, I kind of was—still am? Time will tell.
“Then why are you here?”
“I offered you a job, and I want you to take it.”
Her eyes widen. “You’re kidding.”
“Not one bit.”
“I have a job,” she says, a bit of fire coming out in her tone.
That is what I want more of, what I want to see.
Playing with fire is dangerous, but life is boring when you miss out on all the adventures.
“This one will be better,” I say firmly, reaching for my coffee.
“I doubt it.”
I pick up my cup and take a small sip. It isn’t the worst cup of coffee I’ve had, but I certainly won’t be back. Not unless Seraphine makes me, that is.
“How much do you get paid now?”
She eyes me warily. “Why?”
