Page 5 of Soaring and Saucy

“Honey,” Lila began, bodily diving between the two barstools and bracing her elbows against the bar, looking directly at him. The mysteriously little Librarian just turned away, putting a hand on her forehead in embarrassment, and he knew she was seconds from getting her purse and leaving— which could not happen!

“This girl,” Lila said loudly, moving her arm to wrap it around the mysterious woman’s shoulders, hugging her. “This girl is Fort Knox. You know it’s there, but you can’t get in there no matter what. She’s hanging on to her virginity…”

“Lila!”

“Like it’s speshhhuul or something. Insteada crackin’ that vault, howa-bout-ya take a crack at meeee?” Lila drawled enthusiastically, loosening her hold on the woman and reaching for him instead.

“Lila, please just shut up…”

Lance froze, feeling something dark unfurl within him. He realized his sweet little librarian whom he wanted to have coffee with and talk to, was being mocked by her promiscuous friend for having morals. The irony was not lost on him in the slightest because when he pulled into port, he certainly lost his; but this was different.

As Lila’s words hit him, he slowly turned to look at the other woman’s gaze, seeing the horror, fear, and shame in her eyes and felt something protective rear its ugly head. His Librarian started to stand, snatching up her purse in an effort to run away and hide – and he grabbed her wrist.

Her eyes met his, and he was lost.

“Lance,” he began hoarsely. “Lance Cavanaugh… and we’re having coffee, remember? Please don’t go.”

“But…”

“What’s your name?”

“Thasss my Steffi-the-virgin…” Lila drawled, pulling at him and touching his face as he instantly jerked away, not letting go of his mysterious girl.

“Get off of me and go away,” Lance snarled, pushing Lila out from between the two of them and concentrating on his Librarian. Softening his tone, he saw the shock and disbelief in her gaze as she looked at Lila nearby before looking at him again.

Lance didn’t chance looking away.

“What’s your name, lovely?”

“S-Stephanie,” his Librarian stammered quietly and sat back down on her barstool. “Stephanie Wood – and I am sooo very sorry about…”

“Don’t apologize for her,” he interrupted and looked past her. “There’s a small table in the corner where we can sit and talk – if that’s okay with you?”

“You still want to… talk to me?”

“Very much so, Miss Stephanie Wood,” he smiled, laying on the charm as he rose to his feet and bringing her with him. He put her hand on his arm and guided her toward the small table – only to see someone start to sit down there, and he snapped loudly. “NOPE! That’s my spot – move it.” And heard Stephanie let out a nervous little laugh beside him.

He held out a chair for her and smiled, urging her to sit down. She was so pretty, so demure that it made him want to beat on his chest. Yeah, there wasn’t a wild need for attention but rather a fascination with the being before him.

“You stay here, don’t move, and I’ll get some coffee coming,” he promised, taking the other chair beside the tiny table and leaning it forward in a silent signal that this seat was taken.

Walking back through the maze of people, he waved at the bartender, glancing once more to make sure his little Stephanie was still at the table, waiting on him. Yeah, things were definitely looking up this evening, and two words kept ringing through his mind.

Fort Knox.

Oh mannnnn… I am going to Hell for this one, he mused silently.

3

STEPHANIE

This couldn’t be happening, Stephanie thought wildly in disbelief, trying not to pant, gasp, or have a complete and utter nervous breakdown. The hottest guy in the bar was talking to her, ordering coffee to sit with her, and told Lila to bug off after Lila blabbed to him and everyone within earshot that she was a virgin.

What. The. Heck?!

Yet, that handsome sailor who seemed so elusive, so out of her reach, had doubled down instead. He seemed completely focused on her. He took her by the wrist, guided her to this little corner table, and was ordering coffee for them, treating her like she was special or something. Maybe he had a little sister who looked like her? Maybe he thought it was ‘sweet’ that she’d been raised properly?

Maybe he was the one who thought he was going to get in your pants tonight?

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