Chapitre 18: Chapter 18
Despite the early rush of business and a steady stream of customers after that, the morning passed so slowly, Lexie wondered if someone had tied cement on the movement of time. She had glanced at the clock for maybe the hundredth time when the jangling bell signaled the door opening again. She turned away from the back counter where shed been restocking the machines in time to see Killian walk into the shop.
She felt as if the sun had come out, casting its golden glow on everything and surrounding them with a shimmering heat. The same heat she felt when she and Killian made love.
Morning. The scar at the corner of his mouth dimpled when he grinned at her.
Morning to you. The usual?
He laughed. Am I getting predictable?
You know what they say, she told him. Predictability is a good foundation.
They also say there is pleasure in the unexpected. He winked. Maybe the best thing is a mixture of both.
Maybe. So on that note, would you like a couple of slices of coffee cake instead of cinnamon rolls today?
He laughed again, the sound rolling through her like sunshine. Sure. Ill live dangerously. But dont mess with Abbys sticky buns.
I wouldnt dream of it.
I think Ill eat mine here today. And how about straight espresso instead of my usual plain old dull coffee with a shot?
Lexie had a feeling they were discussing something way more intimate than food and drink here.
Something to give you a jolt? she teased, and was rewarded with a darkening of his irises and a flash of light in the deep obsidian.
If you think I can handle it.
Ill make sure of that.
As she put the order together, she glanced around the shop and noted almost every person staring at them with open curiosity. Killian lifted his head in a gesture of greeting, nodded, and said, Howdy, everyone.
Several people murmured greetings to him, and many of them smiled. Did he see how friendly people were in this town, or was he putting on a show until his week was over? She gave herself a mental shake; she needed to quit thinking of those things. Hed be leaving soon. Too soon. She just needed to stick the hope he might stay in the back of her mind.
Lexie was very conscious of him watching her as he took a seat at a little corner table and slowly ate his coffee cake and drank his coffee. She had to keep dragging her eyes away from him because the sight of him made her nipples peak and moisture dampen her panties. The pulse in her pussy could have given competition to a jungle drum. She hoped nobody in the shop had any idea she was so turned on.
Finally, she went into the back room and splashed cold water on her face and hands at the sink. When she returned to the front, Killian was dumping his trash in the big barrel next to the sugar and cream area. He waited until she filled an order for a walk-in before moving up to the counter.
I have to go out of town later today, he told her in a low voice. That means dinner is out tonight.
Disappointment slivered through her, but she forced herself to smile. I understand.
Its the damn office. Walt Forester wants me to fly to Georgia with him to meet a geologist we work with. Apparently, hes finished with a study we requested on land near Stone Mountain, and he thinks its worth offering leases for. Plus well visit some sites already under contract, so I can get a real feel for things in the field.
Really? Her eyebrows flew up. But thats great, right?
He gave her a rueful grin. Yeah, for the people who own the land. For me, it means a night away from you.
She glanced self-consciously at her customers. Um
They cant hear me, he assured her. Im talking too low. I wouldnt embarrass you. Now, he looked around. At least any more than these people already do. Im the latest topic of conversation, right?
Small towns, she pointed out.
I know. I grew up in one. So, were taking one of Dustys planes
Wow. High cotton, she interrupted.
Doesnt make up for missing you. But Ill be back by noon tomorrow, so dont make plans for tomorrow night. Got it?
Pretty confident, are you? she teased.
No, just dont want to waste whatever time is left.
At the reminder their situation had an end time, sadness washed through her, but she deliberately pushed it away.
Um, how about if I make dinner for us tomorrow night? We can eat in.
Heat simmered in his eyes again at her words. In more ways than one, darlin. In more ways than one.
It took all her self-discipline to maintain a casual appearance when he waved and headed out the door. Then, in order to avoid the gossips ready to bombard her with questions, she hurried into the back room and busied herself straightening things up back there. She hadnt wanted to tell him how disappointed she was at his announcement, but the thought of a night without him took the shine off the day.
The portrait. Shed work on his portrait tonight. When he was gone, shed hang it in her bedroom so she could look at him every night. And while she worked, shed plan their evening together. Maybe if she pulled out all the stops, she could find out if Killian Walker really did have a dark side, and if hed take her with him on a walk down its erotic path.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone