Page 10 of Pucks and Coffee

Worth my time… Shit. My smile fades away, and I almost glare up at him. “Are you inviting me over for sex?”

He actually looks wounded at my words and glances away as he lets out a long breath. “I know people talk shitty about me, and this town seems to think I’m a whore?—”

“I don’t know anything about that,” I insist, and he looks back at me, surprised. His jaw is tight, his eyes sharp as they hold mine. “I don’t listen to gossip around this town because they’ve said very bad things about my sisters and me, and none of it has been true.” I hold up a finger and correct myself, “Okay, the rumor about my sister and her fiancé getting it on in front of the store did happen, but that’s the only true thing.”

I’m rambling. I sound like a fool, but when I meet Coleson’s gaze, he doesn’t seem to mind. “I’m not inviting you over for sex, I promise. I just want to cook for you and discuss the coffeehouse.”

I perk up at that. He wants to discuss the coffeehouse! That’s awesome. But then I realize this isn’t a date; it’s a meeting. I cover my face with one hand and groan. I pull my hand away to find him watching me. “I wish you had led with that. Would have saved us both the bit about sex.”

“Huh?” he grunts, and I try to laugh, but I sound fake.

It doesn’t mask my hurt or my idiocy. I just sound dumb. I clear my throat before taking a swig of my tea to buy myself some time. He waits patiently, and when I can’t avoid his grunt any longer, I say, “I wish you had led with us just talking about the coffeehouse. I assumed you were asking me out, out.”

“I am,” he says automatically. “I just said the no-sex thing because you freaked out.”

I eye him. Does he want to have sex with me? No. Wait. I shouldn’t ask that. Instead, I blurt, “So, this is a date?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re cooking for me? Here?”

“Yes, here at seven.”

“For us to eat and chat.”

“For us to eat and chat,” he confirms. “I just want to show you a good time, McDavid.”

Sex would be a great time, but I refrain from saying that. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he repeats, and once more, I’m assaulted by those dimples.

“I hope our conversation tonight isn’t a whole bunch of us repeating each other.”

He beams over at me. “It won’t be. I can promise you that.”

His promise sounds wicked and I almost call him on it, but I refrain. I slowly stand up. He watches me as I push the chair back in before taking a step back. “I look forward to seeing you tonight.”

His lips curve, and I swear I see fire in those eyes of his. “I’ll be counting down the hours, McDavid.” I hold his gaze for a moment, and then he asks, “No allergies, right?”

“None.”

“Good.”

Good. Okay. This is good. In a daze, unsure this is really happening, I turn and head out. I feel his eyes on me, but I know that can’t be. Before I reach the hall toward the back door, I look over my shoulder, and there he is. His eyes are roaming my body with no hesitation whatsoever. A sinful grin sits on his lips, and heat burns in his eyes, leaving me utterly breathless. I swallow, tearing my gaze from his and heading down the hall.

Well, my no-dating vow didn’t even last twenty-four hours.

But it didn’t have a chance with Coleson Katz on the prowl.

CHAPTER 7

Coleson

I’ve never closed early, but then, I’ve never been about to ask someone to be my wife.

I made sure the upstairs was cleaned, though I doubt we’ll make it up there. I know McDavid might think I want sex, and I do, but I will prove to her this isn’t about that. This is about both our goals. I glance around the coffeehouse. It’s pristine, though the smell of coffee overpowers the smell of cleaner. I turn to look at the small booth and make sure everything is in place. I set it up like a classy restaurant would, our plates, silverware, and wineglasses are already laid out, a black napkin in the center of each plate. In the middle of the table, I lit a candle, and on top of her napkin is a single red rose.

I’m pulling out all the stops, and it may be overkill, but I’m asking her to be my wife. McDavid deserves the best, and I’m going to show her all that. Once I asked her to come over for dinner, I committed to seeing this through. As much as I want to believe she’ll agree, I have a nagging feeling she won’t. She seems like the type that wants the full-out chase. She’d probably wait a few years to get married, making sure the guy isn’t a dud. I don’t have a few years; I have months. I need her to do this for me, and I had no issue Googling how to get a chick to marry you. I’ve never had to work to get a woman before, nor have I wanted to, but here I am.