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.
Killian slept little, and he knew it was more than just a strange bed. Hell, hed slept in line shacks and on the ground in a bedroll. No, it was the image blasting into his brain every time he closed his eyes. The image of a sexy, tempting blonde with curls he wanted to run his fingers through and hazel eyes with intriguing gold flecks in them. It was the body that even in semi-sleep his hands kept reaching for, molding the shape of mouthwatering breasts. And the sweet, sweet pussy with its neatly trimmed adornment of dark-blonde hair. He could still feel her tongue in his mouth and the grasp of her inner walls around his cock, the intense shudders of the most powerful climax hed ever had. It was a smile both innocent and sultry, and the easy manner surrounding it all.
He woke from a very erotic dream, embarrassed to find his fingers wrapped around his cock, stroking the swollen shaft. Groaning, he finished himself off in the shower, resisting the temptation to bang his head against the wall. One week, you idiot. One week and youre gone. And even if he wasnt, he still wasnt fit for any kind of relationship with Lexie or her kind of woman.
He realized with shocking clarity he was falling in love with Lexie Choate. He, the man who had just decided hed never have a permanent relationship with a woman, had fallen in love. His mother would tell him Fate was playing tricks on him.
His mother. Oh god! What would she say about the mess he was making? He didnt really want to find out.
He had to get his head back on straight. He had to put his feelings for Lexie to rest when he came back for the one week with the others. Hed been pretty specific the first night, and they both agreed a week of fun would be just right for both of them. But would that really work? This had nothing to do with Lexie and everything to do with him, with his screwed-up head, and his plans for the future. He thought of what Lou and Marliss had said and knew theyd think him all kinds of a shit for what hed be doing where Lexie was concerned.
How could he screw things up so badly? The worst part was he could hardly wait to see her again tonight. Knowing everything, didnt that make him as bad as Dusty?
I rest my case.
It was late morning when Dustys plane landed in Kansas. Killian had left his ride at the small airfield, so he and Walt drove directly to the office. He followed Walt inside, knowing if he headed to Heart Starter he wouldnt be able to tear himself away. He had a report to write, per Walt, and Elaine would have a ton of questions. He did, however, take a minute to call Lexie, tell her he was back, and ask her what time he should be at her place. Maybe tonight he could find the strength to tell her how bad he had it for her.
Seven, she told him. And bring your appetite.
For you and the food, he told her in a low voice he hoped conveyed his simmering hunger for her. Then he ended the call before he forgot his good intentions not to race down the street and see her.
Abby came into his office to place two folders on his desk. Homework from Elaine, she told him, then looked at his empty hands. No sticky buns today?
He almost told her he had another kind of sticky bun in mind, but he bit his tongue. Youll just have to suffer for one day, Im afraid. Sorry.
I may have to give you a demerit, she joked.
Ill bring you extra tomorrow, he assured her. Meanwhile, Id better get busy writing up my report, or Ill be in big trouble here.
At the very least.
Elaine waited in his doorway. You giving me demerits, too?
She shook her head. No, as a matter of fact, if I had gold stars, Id be giving you some of those.
Oh? He quirked an eyebrow. What brings that on?
She came into the office and dropped into a chair in front of his desk. Walt gave an excellent report on you. He says youre a natural at this business. Understood everything the geologist had to say. Asked the right questions. Even helped seal the deal on the leases.
I appreciate the good words from him.
She tilted her head and studied him, eyes filled with curiosity. I dont suppose youve given a real thought to staying after this is all over, have you?
Not a real one, he joked.
Im sure you must have plans, like your brothers. But this is an exciting business, Killian. New challenges all the time.
My brothers? He studied her. Well, youve had the pleasure of meeting two of my half-brothers so far. What did you think of them?
She laughed and shook her finger at him. Uh-uh. You arent getting anything out of me. Right now, Im concentrating on you.
Well, next week you can concentrate on the last of my half-brothers.
She flipped her hand in the air. Half or whole, theyre still your brothers. I really believe you have more in common besides Dusty, if you guys would take time to really get to know each other.
I appreciate your intentions, he said slowly, unwilling to offend this woman who was nothing but nice to him. But I think emotions run too high as far as the four of us are concerned.
How can they run high? Youve only just met each other.
He picked up a rubber band and stretched it with two fingers. And I think weve learned all we want to. Wouldnt you resent it if you found out your mother wasnt really married to your father? And there were three other women in the same situation? So youre a bastard whose father didnt even respect his mother.