Page 67 of Deck the Fire Halls

“Oh, yes,” I said quickly, ever so grateful he couldn’t read my mind. “Sorry.”

He held the door for me and the delicious aromas hit me as soon as I stepped inside. Okay, so maybe I was hungry for... food.

And hungry for Soren and for what you want him to do to you.

I cleared my throat, silently telling my inner voice to shut up, and slid into a booth. Soren sat opposite me, pulling his gloves off, and then his jacket. Which was almost a shame, until I got a visual reminder of how tight his T-shirt was.

Lord, help me.

My dick was starting to thicken, which was obscene. I was in a public place. Where families and the elderly were—thankfully the diner wasn’t busy yet—but still, my patients from the clinic could see me.

I needed to think about other things.

Like the menu.

Yes, the menu. “What looks good?” I asked.

“You know,” Soren said, “I might have the beef and stout pie.”

“That sounds pretty good,” I agreed. I hadn’t even read the menu. I didn’t particularly care what I ate, as long as it was fast and we could get back to my place, stat.

A woman who looked a lot like Lucille Ball came to the table. “Can I get you boys some coffee?”

“Ah, Crystal, yes please,” Soren said. Then he checked with me. “Is that okay?”

“Perfect,” I said, giving her a smile.

“Ah, you’re the new doc in town, right?” she asked.

“I am, yes. Rob O’Reilly.”

“Nice to meetcha,” she said. “Crystal’s my name.” She pointed her pen to her name tag. “Been out for a ride, I see.” She nodded to Soren’s bike out front.

“Lovely day for it,” I replied with a smile.

“Would you like more time to look over the menu?”

“Oh no,” Soren said. “We’ll have two of the stout pies, please.”

“Ah, Jayden’s outdone himself with those. Very popular.”

I’m sure that was a great story but I’d really appreciate it if you could please hurry with our order because I really need Soren to take me home and rail me, thanks.

My inner voice was getting impatient. And rude, apparently.

And then, because the universe was set on torturing me, Hamish came in. Well, more like burst in through the doors and, spotting us, sidled up to our table.

“I’m supposed to be working right now, but I told Ren I was getting us coffee?—”

“Two of the usual, love?” Crystal asked.

He nodded. “Yes, please.”

She disappeared and Hamish looked at me and smirked. “So, I just happened to be looking out the window when I saw Soren’s motorbike pull up, and lo and behold, who should be on it with him?”

My face burned. “Ah, yes. Lo and behold.”

Soren chuckled. “And you just had to come over.”

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