“Most of them at least, yeah.”
“I get that. Well, today’s your lucky day. I could use some help.”
“Like I said, I’m here for whatever you need. But first, I brought you breakfast,” I say as I lift the bakery bag and coffee. Bristol looks down at her watch and then back up at me, arching a brow.
“At eleven a.m.?”
“Brunch then.”
Her eyes light up, those beautiful lips pursing like she’s trying to hold back a smile. “Smooth.”
“Is my charm working?”
“Depends on what you brought.”
I set the food and drinks down on the counter, allowing her to open the bag. When Bristol smiles, it lights up her entire face, and I know I’ll do whatever I can every day for the rest of my life to give her reasons to smile like this.
“Banana muffins and, what were those called again?”
“Sunrise Brioche. Did you try the one I left you?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And it was pretty mouthwatering. What was the inside filling?”
“Citrus and cream custard, the tops are brushed with orange blossom syrup and dusted with coarse sugar.”
Bristol arches a brow. “How do you know every fine detail, Rhys?”
“Because they’re my favorite. You really enjoyed it?” I ask, suddenly nervous. Shit, I’d really love for her to have enjoyed it.
“I really, really did.”
“Good, I brought two of each, just in case they weren’t your thing. You can save the rest for later. Here’s your latte.”
Bristol picks up the to-go coffee mug, lifting off the top and looking down at the still-intact heart, her teeth capturing her plush bottom lip. I’ve never wanted to reach over and touch something so bad in my life, and I have to stick my hands in the pockets of my jacket to keep from doing just that.
I watch as she brings the mug to her lips, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. Tension thrums between us like a live wire. She holds me hostage, never looking away as she tentatively blows across the steam and foam, then places her pretty pink lips on the rim.
I never thought watching someone drink coffee would be sexy, but here we are, my dick perking up behind my denim jeans as I watch this gorgeous woman enjoy something I’ve provided for her. But when her eyes flutter closed as the taste hits her tongue, a soft, delectable moan escaping her lips and reaching my ears? I about fucking die.
“Morning Fog.”
“That’s what you ordered last week, I assumed . . .”
“It’s delicious, and my favorite. I don’t make it to Amberwood often, so it’s a treat when I do go. Their specialty drinks are incredible. Thank you, Rhys.”
“Anything for you, Bristol,” I say, giving her a flirty wink.
I pull out the bakery items, placing them on the napkins, and do my new favorite thing: watch the woman of my dreams eat and enjoy her food. I want to feed her from my own fingers, but that’s probably frowned upon during a first date.
“Did you always want to become a vet?” She delicately wipes her mouth with a napkin before answering, and I wish I could do it for her. Not because she can’t, but because there’s something deep inside me, at a molecular level, urging me to care for her, to make sure she never wants for anything.
“I did. I found an injured, abandoned dog when I was seven years old. My parents and I brought him to a shelter where they took him in. I was allowed to go back once a week andcheck on him, until one day, he wasn’t there. Even though my parents wouldn’t let us keep him, I was so happy that he found a new home. I was fascinated by how they just took him in, cared for him, and helped give him a new start at life. I knew from that moment I wanted to be a veterinarian, and not just anywhere, I wanted to work at shelters. I’ve always felt called to animals; I understand them.”
“And you didn’t want to have your own practice? Not to sound like a dick, but pretty sure you could be making a lot more that way. Not that this place isn’t nice, but I know how it goes with funding a place like this. You depend solely on others to help.”
