CHAPTER 1
Stella
“He’s back.” Karma, a fellow waitress at the Blue Heights Diner we’ve both worked in for a couple of years now, nods to the handsome drink of danger and temptation as he walks in. The relaxed Henley shirt, dark-washed boot-cut jeans, and biker boots only emphasize the man’s pure, raw manliness, making all my girly parts perk up and crave him like chocolate on my monthly.
“Don’t you dare, Karma,” I hiss as she waves him and the casually dressed man he’s with to a booth near my section. My friend is a pain in the ass some days, but she knows I can’t serve that guy. Not because of anything he’s done, but rather my attraction to him and the fact that the first time he came in, and I was his server, I spilled his coffee, breakfast, and a double-chocolate milkshake all in his lap.
I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life. He didn’t complain, though. Just lifted the corner of his mouth in that sexy little way hot men do and gave me a hundred-dollar tip. Who even does that? He’s asked for me a couple of times since then but has never pushed it after being told I was unavailable, even though I obviously was.
No, instead, he subtly watches my every move. The girls here point it out all too often, and it’s just to the point now where I can’t serve anyone once he shows up. Thank god, he’s predictable, showing up the same three days a week at the exact time, so I’m able to ensure I’m doing all the chores around the diner as the other girls take over my tables.
Yeah, I get fewer tips by doing it; it annoys the heck out of our cook, Chet, and I feel like a fool, but unless I want to find another job with such flexible hours, I’m stuck.
The owner, Martha, joins us and watches as he takes a look around, stopping when he spots me. I busy myself with wiping down counters and notice his chuckle before returning his attention to his friend. Lordy, he’s got a deadly smile, and I bet his laugh is low and deep, something that would have any girl swoon.
“You should serve them.” Martha nudges me with her hip.
A snort escapes. “Not a chance.”
“Honey, if you let handsome men scare you, you’re going to have a very lonely existence.” She’s not wrong.
“Come on, Stel, he’s obvs into you too.” Karma twirls a lock of her hair around her finger, being flirty as she starts walking backwards towards their table.
“I know what you’re doing.” My eyes narrow on her. “It won’t work.” Dammit. Yes, it will. “Fine!” I hiss and stomp a foot. “I’ll bring them coffee, and that’s it.” Grabbing the half-empty pot of coffee I made only ten minutes ago, I take a few calming breaths as I pass Karma.
“You totes got this, girlfriend.” She gives an exaggerated wink while I converse in my head, reminding myself to breathe and speak clearly.
Arriving at their table, both men glance up at me. My guy sits back, relaxed, arms spread across the bench seat, a smirk firmly in place on his plump, kissable lips. His eyes are dangerous, though, like a chocolate fountain that you know is bad for you, but you want it anyway.
His friend tries not to laugh as my mouth opens to greet them, but nothing comes out. I can feel my cheeks turning the most god-awful shade of red.
Forcing my eyes forward, I stare out the window into the parking lot, where more cars pull in, and I realize I need to get my ass moving before we’re slammed.
“Morning, gentlemen, can I offer you a coffee?” Blinking rapidly, I drop my eyes and meet their stares while holding up the pot in my hand.
The new guy offers his cup while my guy releases a throaty chuckle as he reaches out, setting his friend's cup in front of me on the table while sliding his forward as well.
“We’d love some, sugar.” God, his rumbly tone makes me swell with desire. Slowly, I pour their drinks and manage not to spill a drop. “Got any cream?” he asks. My eyes shoot to his face to find his eyes eating me up in ways no man ever has. Ordinarily, men aren’t too interested in me.
I have wide hips, thick thighs, my breasts are more than a handful, and there’s a little too much chub in my belly. But the way he looks at me, I feel sexy for the first time in my life, and I have no idea what the hell to do with it.
“Sure, I’ll be right back.” Forcing myself to go slow instead of running away, as my body screams to do, is difficult. Especially when I catch Karma pointing behind me, practically screaming for me to turn around.
When I do, it’s to see him licking his lips and staring at my ass.
“OMG.” The breath whooshes from me as I place the pot back on the warmer and grab a bowl of individual creamers from the mini fridge behind the counter. “I didn’t spill,” I whisper, which isn’t as quiet as I’d like, but nobody calls me on it while hustling back to their table. “Here you are. Karma will be by to take your orders in a minute.”
As I’m about to turn and walk away, I feel the warmth, the strength, the pure unadulterated dominance of his hand circling my wrist to stop me from leaving. “How about you serve us?”
It feels like I’m hyperventilating, and his friend watches our interaction with an amused look in his own deadly gaze.
“Yeah, sure, are you ready to order?” I try to reach for my notepad and pen from my apron pocket, but he won’t let me go. “I’ll need my hand for that.” Why is his cocky half-smile so damn sexy?
“I like the feeling of you.”
My blush makes a comeback. Thankfully, I’m saved by a loud clatter in the kitchen, followed by Chet yelling out a few choice words, and he releases me from his hypnotizing hold.
“Interesting,” his friend mutters as my pen and pad are in hand now. “I’ll take the steak and eggs. Steak, medium rare, eggs, over medium, hashbrowns shredded and extra crispy, and multigrain toast, loads of butter.” Nodding, I finish writing before looking at the man who has stolen my body’s ability to function.
