Page 27 of Reckless King

And I don’t think it’ll be easy.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

VIOLET

“Argh.” I’d be tempted to kick the stupid espresso machine if it wouldn’t hurt my foot, and if it wasn’t sitting on the countertop, meaning I’d likely fall on my ass if I tried it.

Jarrod steps up next to me and crosses his arms. “I don’t know how much longer I can keep her going.”

I put my hands on my hips and let out a sigh. “I know. I’ll check the books again tonight. See where I can find some money.” A commercial espresso machine costs thousands of dollars. But maybe I can find a second-hand one for slightly less.

“I can put something toward it. I have some savings,” he says.

I drag a tired but genuine smile onto my face. “Thank you, Jarrod. That’s sweet of you. But I’ll figure it out.” The last thing I want is him risking his money on what might very well be a sinking ship. Though just the thought of that being the case makes my chest hollow.

He opens his mouth, as if he’s going to protest, but the bell over the door rings, signaling we have a customer.

“If you get that, I’ll try and keep her going a little longer,” he says.

I pat his forearm. “What would I do without you?”

He winks, and I give him a smile, then turn to the person who’s just come in. My smile drops, along with my mood, as I register who thecustomeris.

The grin Tate is wearing only spreads—I’m assuming in recognition of my dismay. As he saunters toward me, his body encased in an impeccably tailored business suit, his eyes glittering, it’s almost impossible to ignore how sexy he is. Annoyingly, I have to admit that a look like that from Tate King would make most women weak in the knees. Considering what I know of him, and what he now knows about me, my own knees stay strong.

Mostly.

With a brush of my hands down my denim-clad thighs, I meet him at the counter. “Tate.”

His smile grows even wider at my terse tone. As if he actually likes it. It’s annoying.He’sannoying. “Violet.”

I look over my shoulder at Jarrod, then turn back to Tate and lower my voice. “I wasn’t expecting to see you.” Theagainis implied.

He leans casually against the countertop, assessing the empty coffee shop a little too knowingly. “Busy day?”

I grit my teeth and will away the irritation that sparks to life in my chest at that simple sentence. “It will pick up soon.”

“Until it does, do you have time for a cup of coffee?”

I frown. “With you?”

“Yes, with me.” He chuckles. “We need to talk.”

I huff out a breath and cross my arms. “I can’t imagine we have anything to talk about.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. We have a lot to talk about.”

If he thinks I have any interest in rehashing the events of last Friday night—or the one before—especially here, he’s very wrong. “I don’t think?—”

“Violet.” His voice is low, and those unfairly gorgeous golden-brown eyes of his pierce into me, sending a jolt of adrenaline through my veins. “Stop arguing and just spare me a few minutes of your time.”

I swallow. For a moment, I’m transported back to that first night at Onyx. To the way he looked at me when he told me he’d make me come so hard I’d feel it for days. The horrible part is that I did. Istilldo. The memory of how good he made me feel with just his fingers has haunted me since that night. Even more so after I found out he was the man in the devil mask. I hate knowing that before I found out who he was, I got myself off to the memory of him touching me. I hate even more that I’ve had to force myself not to fantasize about it again in the days since.

My skin warms, and I hope to God he can’t tell where my thoughts have gone. But apparently, my curiosity as to what Tate could possibly want to talk to me about is stronger than my embarrassment. I let out a breath and turn to Jarrod, finding him already watching us, a quizzical look in his eyes. “Could you coax two cups of coffee out of the machine and bring them over to us?”

He gives me a smile. “Sure thing, boss.”

When I turn back to Tate, he’s focused on Jarrod. I can’t quite read his expression, but a moment later, his attention is on me again. He gestures toward the back of the shop, and I round the counter and follow him to a table in the corner.

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