Wren suppressed some old, bad memories and the shiver that always went along with them. She rubbed her aching shoulder then started her car. She had a choice—she could try and drum up more business, or she could go down into Lyons and grab another cup of coffee from a certain coffee shop first.
It might be too early still to go knocking on doors,she told herself, trying to ignore how much she wanted to see Elias again.
Now for coffee. And with any luck, a little something extra.
She sighed.I just wish I knew what I was doing.
SIX
She took my scrubs top.
Elias stared again at the empty chair where he’d draped the shirt the night before. His lips curled into a hungry smile. She’d escaped him sometime last night, which sharpened his desire for her. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted a woman so badly.
Wren knows exactly what she’s doing.
Piquing his interest. Keeping him guessing. Drawing out the game when it so easily could have ended with a one-night stand like so many others.
Yeah, sure, a one-night stand, right. If I ignore the fact that I broke my pattern and brought her to my home in the first place instead of going to hers. And she’s so damn funny. And she likes my dogs.He glanced down at the critters who’d just finished their breakfast and came to find him.
And most importantly, they like her.
Elias stretched like the great cat he was nicknamed after, then ran his hand through his hair until it stood up. Penny and Chuck went off to play in their dog run outside while he padded to the bathroom to take a shower. Hot water hit his pecs and he thought of the way Wren rested her hand over his heart—alight, fluttering touch that grew more confident as they danced. Water ran down his chest and over his abs in teasing rivulets as he imagined her fingers gliding over his bare skin like they did the night before. He shivered in spite of the hot water steaming up the shower’s glass door. His cock hardened as his mind filled with visions of stripping Wren out of her shorts and top. Now she stood in nothing but lace in front of him, her cheeks pinking up the way they did the day he met her, only this time, the color rose from her desire, not embarrassment.
Elias stroked his cock as he turned her around in his imagination and bent her over his bed. He slid the lace panties down her long legs and undid her bra. He ran his hands over her smooth, round ass cheeks.Smackwent his palm against her ass, ‘punishing’ her for stealing his scrubs top. The moan escaping her lips told him she wanted more, wanted him to toy with her before plunging his cock deep inside her wet pussy.
He stroked himself harder, picturing her soft, pink folds, her tightness once he’d buried himself balls deep into her from behind. He gripped her ass and leaned forward over her back to bite her shoulder. In the shower he pumped his cock for all he was worth, unable to contain himself while Dream Wren pressed back against him, drawing him deeper and deeper until her soft velvet walls spasmed around him. He came hot and fast and hard, her moans echoing in his ears.
“Need you,” he growled as the water washed over him. “Next time, you’re not getting away.”
Elias breathed in the rich,good, roasted coffee smell of Riversong as he walked through the front door. He’d come here on pure instinct and immediately scanned the room even thoughhe didn’t see Wren’s vehicle in the parking lot. He wouldn’t put it past her to park around the block, then catch him by surprise inside. But she wasn’t sitting at any of the crowded tables or standing in the line snaking halfway to the front door. He tried to ignore his disappointment and the way his body felt heavier suddenly, as if he’d not quite been touching the ground before.
Low blood sugarhe told himself. He’d just pour a sugar packet into his coffee.
He watched April, Hannah, and Sonny taking orders and mixing drinks until he got to the front of the line. April greeted him with a smile.
“Still no woman with a scrubs top, sorry.” That had pretty much become her standard greeting for the past few days.
Elias glanced behind him to see how many people waited. “It was briefly back in my possession, but it’s gone again, so thanks for keeping an eye out.”
April’s jaw dropped and then she gave him an even brighter smile. “We’ll catch up.” She winked and handed him a mug of black coffee.
“Glad to see business is back to normal.”
“Thank God!” She looked past him and smiled at the next customer.
Elias paid, left a generous tip, and grabbed a couple of sugar packets. A couple was just standing up from their table to leave, so he nabbed their spot and sat down. Elias pretended to scroll through his phone while he sipped his coffee at glacial pace. He kept his attention on the front door while he tapped his foot to the jazzy music playing overhead, wishing he could pace instead.
After half an hour, he’d reached the bottom of his coffee mug along with his hope of seeing Wren. He stood to leave and found himself walking to the counter instead for a refill. The morning coffee crowd had died down, so he only had to wait behind two people. The bell rang over the front door and the familiarsensation of hair rising on the nape of his neck told Elias she was there. He turned to see Wren smiling at him as a faint blush crept into her cheeks.
“Hey,” Wren said as she joined him in line.
“Hey yourself.”
“So, about last night…” She trailed off. Elias couldn’t help but notice her wince in pain while she shifted her tote off her shoulder and unzipped it.
“Is my property in that bag?”
She grinned and her blush turned fiery. “Not sure what came over me. Yes, it is.”
