Page 64 of When We Dare

No matter the situation, I tried to please everyone. I was too flummoxed at his unexpected presence to think clearly.

“I was hoping for another coffee,” he said.

“Coming right up.” I gestured him through the door. “Let me lock up behind you. I just mopped, so walk slowly.” I made my way back around the counter.

“Thanks for the warning,” Leo said.

Sweet hell, even his voice was sexy. It was low with a smooth rumble to it. My belly did a little shimmy and twist. I cleared my throat as I looked at him from behind the counter. “Your usual?”

“Do you know my usual?” he countered, a gleam in his eyes.

“If you come in more than once a week, I know your usual. You usually get the house coffee, extra strong with a shot of espresso in it. Nothing else. Your favorite food is either a plain donut or the ham braided twist.”

His brows hitched up as he let out alow whistle. “Points for that. I’ll just take a coffee, no need for you to do anything else.”

“Donuts are all gone for the day, they’ve been gone since noon, but I do have one twist left.” I gestured to the display case. “I was just about to put the leftover stuff in the back.”

“I can have one now?”

“Of course.”

He grinned. “I’ll take it.”

I was relieved I could move pretty much on autopilot. Within minutes, I handed over his coffee and the small bakery bag. He insisted on paying and giving me a generous tip. Normally, I could chat casually with regular customers, but being alone with Leo tied my tongue into a tangle.

I was mentally patting myself on the back for not doing or saying anything stupid, but it all went sideways when I went to unlock the door. The floor was still damp. I heard the slip of a shoe on the floor as he reached for the door handle with me right on his heels. He had his coffee in one hand and the pastry bag in the other.

Coffee splattered down the front of my shirt, completely soaking it. “Oh!” I jumped back.

“Oh, shit, I’m sorry, Casey,” Leo said as he straightened from slipping, looking horrified.

We both looked down at my shirt. I usually wore tank tops when I was working. It got hot in here with running between thekitchen area and the front. My top was soaked and clung to my chest. My cheeks were burning hot when I looked back up at Leo.

LEO

My eyes were stuck. Casey stood in front of me with her top drenched by the coffee I’d pretty much dumped on her. Her breasts were outlined perfectly. As I stared, her nipples puckered through the cotton. I mentally scrambled and dragged my eyes up to find her staring back at me. Her cheeks were adorably pink and her eyes wide.

“I amsosorry,” I said hurriedly.

“It’s okay!” She spun around, practically sprinting across the café.

The floor was still damp. She slowed just as one of her shoes began to slide on the floor. She was by the counter at this point and reached out, her hand catching it just before her feet began to skid again.

I followed, setting my now mostly empty cup of coffee on the counter with my pastry and reaching out reflexively to steady her. My hand landed on her hip.

I was trying to stay focused, but her hip was a nice soft curve and my fingers sank into it.

“You okay?” I asked hoarsely.

“I’m good.” Her voice was a little breathless.

“Do you have a towel? I am so sorry,” I repeated.

Casey straightened and walked around the counter. “It’s okay.” Her voice was high-pitched. She produced a towel from under the counter and dabbed at her shirt. “Do you want me to make you another coffee?”

“Absolutely not. I still have half of this one. I feel bad leaving now that I spilled most of my coffee on you.”

“It’s fine,” she squeaked.

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