Felix
Torren is fuming. Enraged. His eyes glow with the flames of Hell as he creeps across the checkerboard floor and takes a seat at the bar. His friend looks absolutely petrified, glancing between Torren and me like we’re a ticking time bomb. My heart thunders in my chest. It’s exhilarating to be around Torren when he’s like this.
My skin tingles as his gaze rakes across my body: first into my eyes, then my mouth, and finally my throat. Each time his eyes land on a new area, my body heats up at that place. I feel exposed and vulnerable, and I love it.
I was so nervous he wouldn’t come back toMaggie’safter my little visit last night, but he did.
You can’t stay away. Just accept it. Accept that we belong together.
I brace my hands against the edge of the bar and lean closer. Torren’s tongue trails along his lower lip before biting it.
He finally takes a seat, his eyes narrow, and leans closer. It’s like we’re gearing up for a quick draw duel, but the gun is a fucking donut.
“You know what I want.” His voice is low and harsh, and he speaks deliberately slowly.
It’s a power move, and it makes me want to fuck with him. “Do I?”
His eyes darken, narrowing as his gaze zeroes in on me. “Yes. You do.”
I rest my head on my hand and make a show of thinking. “Hmm… I don’t recall. You know, I just started working here. Refresh my memory. What is it you want again?”
His fists clench, and the bulge of his forearm muscles makes the sleeve of his leather coat skreak. “Felix. You don’t want to do this. You think this is fun, but it’s not.”
I lean closer again, only a few inches separating us.“Oh, but it is. I love making Daddy mad.”
“Don’t call me that,” he says through clenched teeth.
I do the unthinkable and beep his nose like I’m Lucy and he’s Charlie Brown. “Make me.”
His eyes widen, and that vicious smirk I adore so much appears. He looks like he wants to laugh, but then the darkness overtakes him. His face shifts from manic surprise to demonic hate in a flash. His hand juts forward, clearly about to grab me, but he stops himself. A deep breath precedes his demand for a coffee and an old-fashioned donut. He swivels his chair in the direction of the entrance, effectively shutting me out.
Gabe views all of this like he’s watching the grand finale of an epic murder mystery.
I’m tempted to offer him some popcorn for the show, but instead I ask, “Double chocolate?”
He replies with a thumbs-up.
Gabe doesn’t talk much, does he?
I pour each of them a cup of coffee and set them on the bar.Torren turns to grab it, refusing to make eye contact with me, then swivels in the direction of the entrance again.
Alright. I need to crack him open. Torren will never let me in if I don’t kick down the door.
I need something else.
My eyes land on his beloved donut. I cock my head, examining the sprinkling of sugar coating it.
Hmm.
The donut lands on a plate, and I drench it with salt. It blends in perfectly with the sugar.
I deliver the donuts and pause for a moment after setting the plates down and sing, “Here’s your treat.”
Torren turns around, eyes growing wide when he sees I actually got his order right.
“Thanks…”
I lean against the counter and watch him raise the donut to his mouth. He looks at me, and I smile sweetly. The poor man visibly relaxes, his shoulders melting as he takes a full bite of the donut.
