Page 6 of Caffeine & Chaos

“That’s my girl!” Mandy smiled brightly before ducking back out of the cooler.

Nadia reminded herself to breathe, willing away the sensation of utter vulnerability, but despite her efforts, her legs threatened to dissolve into jelly. Retrieving her compact from her pocket, she stole a moment to check her reflection. A quick adjustment to her hair and a dab of lip gloss, brought a small measure of confidence.

Picking up the tray of cheesecake, she made her way to the front, ready to face him. Nadia paused just before she went out the servery door to put on the best resting bitch-face she could muster.

As she unloaded the cheesecake into the display case Nadia willed her hands to stop shaking and made a point of not looking up. Ignoring him was part of her game plan, but she couldn’t deny that she was terrified of seeing him. If she wasn’t in complete control her plan would shatter into a million pieces the moment she met his eye.

She discreetly watched him from the corner of her eye as he waited, engaged in conversation with someone in line behind him. As usual, his impeccably tailored suit emphasized his flawless physique, and his relaxed yet assured demeanor held her captivated. It was the first time she had witnessed him interacting with another person, and she found herself entranced. His ease and attentiveness in conversation were magnetic, his luminous smile enrapturing. As laughter crinkled the corners of his eyes, a subtle dimple appeared in his left cheek, further enhancing his striking appearance. God he was beautiful.

As he approached the counter, her knees threatened to buckle beneath her. She had a plan, but her body was betraying her. Just keeping her breathing under control was laborious. Nadia reminded herself to ice him out.

“Good morning, Nadia.” That transcendent smile was pointed right at her. Placing his palms on the counter, he leaned in slightly, a simple gesture that nearly shattered her resolve.

“Good morning.” Nadia replied curtly. “What can I get for you today?” She held her chin up high and looked him in the eye. Despite it feeling like every molecule in her body was screaming for her to abort this plan, she managed not to waiver. Everything would be alright so long as her legs didn’t give out.

The tension in the air was palpable. Ryan withdrew his hands from the counter and clasped them in front of him. He looked at her for a long moment, trying to read her. As the seconds ticked by Nadia felt her palms begin to sweat.

“I’ll have my usual, thank-you.”

“I’m sorry I don’t recall what that is,” she lied, trying to make him feel unimportant just as he had done when he walked out on her at the bar.

A devilish smirk spread across his face, “My dear Nadia, are you feeling unwell? Did you suffer a blow to the head over the weekend?”

He was laughing at her! Once again, he had bested her. He hadn’t taken the bait and wasn’t taking this act seriously at all. She needed to respond, she needed something witty and cutting, and she needed it fast.

She smiled without mirth and looked him dead in the eyes. “Nothing of any import happened over the weekend, actually. I just can’t seem to remember your order.” It was all she could come up with. It might have worked, for just a brief moment she saw a surprised expression flash across his face.

“I’ll have your house blend in a size medium. Black.”

It had definitely worked; his response was brusque and bordering on impolite. She grabbed the paper cup and began to pour the coffee in.

“I think I’ll take it to stay this time.” He gestured over to a small round table by the window.

Nadia’s stomach somersaulted. She had not anticipated this, and the thought of maintaining the facade indefinitely felt impossible. Struggling to steady her trembling hands, she seized a porcelain mug and poured the coffee, all the while avoiding his gaze. With a forced composure, she handed him the cup without lifting her eyes.

“Mandy, I’m going to clean the washrooms.” Nadia said, briskly moving towards the cleaning trolly stashed in the back.

Mandy was right. She wanted to beg him to take her right there on the counter. Dizzying heat built between her legs; she wanted to taste the saltiness of his skin and feel him inside of her. She grabbed the cleaning trolly and bolted for the bathroom.

She placed the ‘Washroom closed for cleaning’ sign on the door and ducked inside. Once she was safely out of sight, she leaned her head against the cool tile on the wall and worked to steady her breathing. How long could she hide in there?

Nadia walked over to the sink and splashed some cold water on her face. It was refreshing and helped to douse the fire that was burning deep within her. She was bent over the faucet, when she heard the door open.

“The washroom is closed for cleaning, it will be open in just a few-” Nadia heard the distinct sound of the dead bolt latching on the door. She looked up from the sink and froze.

Ryan stood just inside the door, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. His piercing blue eyes seemed to bore through her, stripping away any defenses she had. Helplessly, her hands dropped to her sides, her resolve crumbling in the face of his hunger. Before she could react, he closed the distance between them, enveloping her in his presence.

Ryan placed his palm on Nadia’s chest; pressing her back up against the wall, his commanding touch rippling waves of electricity through her body. He leaned in and kissed her hard and passionately and before she could stop herself her hands slid up around the nape of his neck into his thick black hair. His fullness pressed against her as he ground his hips into hers.

Ryan’s hand swept down her chest and cupped her breast firmly. He let out a soft groan as their lips parted and he worked his way over to her neckline, simultaneously massaging and kneading her breast with a firm and urgent grip. As his hands worked her body Nadia melted between him and the wall. She slipped her hands inside his jacket and stroked down the musculature of his arms, squeezing his biceps as his lips found her ear. His breath was hot against her neck, the musky scent of his sweat and cologne, hypnotizing. She tore at his shirt, desperate to feel his bare skin against hers.

“Ohh” Nadia stifled a moan as his fingers slipped under her skirt, ripping a hole in her pantyhose and caressing along the length of her inner thigh. Her legs began to quiver, and she couldn’t help but breathe more heavily. She was so hot for him she feared she might ignite, burning in fiery passion until there was nothing left but ashes. Her whole body began to tingle as he slipped his fingers beneath her underwear and parted her; his fingertips lingering still against her for what felt like an agonizingly long time.

Nadia rocked herself back and forth against his hand until she was soaking wet with anticipation and swollen with lust for him. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed his hand into the small of her back, commanding her body to move with his touch. He slid his fingers inside her, earning another gasp, and then a moan, as he began to thrust rhythmically.

“Yesssss” Nadia faintly whispered into Ryan’s ear. She would have said yes to anything and everything. Her breath was coming in short uneven gasps. As she began to get close to climaxing, she arched her back and squeezed Ryan’s fingers with her slickness, ready to completely surrender herself to him. She could no longer refuse him - no longer pretend she didn`t desire him with every fiber of her being.

Just as she was about to reach the height of her pleasure, Ryan pulled away from her; his heat, his scent, his touch – gone. Her head lolled dazedly, and her mind, thick with the fog of passion, struggled to comprehend the sudden absence of his skilled hands.

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