Page 20 of Unhurried Hearts

Something about the way he says it has me calling bullshit. I mean, she obviously has some knowledge of the guy’s dick. Half the people in the coffee shop now have that knowledge second-hand. Anna was mad when I walked in, but she also looked small with her arms wrapped around her centre. That was evidence enough that even if they had hooked up in some capacity, it was not good for her.

“I think they just ran out of coffee, champ. Why don’t you head out?”

His mouth falls open like a fish. “They are not—”

“Wasn’t a suggestion.”

My stare is cold and expectant when he makes the right choice and storms out. Anna's holding two to-go cups when she returns, passing me one, and scanning the crowd.

“He’s gone,” I say. “Are you okay?” I blow the steam off my drink.

She gives a frustrated scoff from the back of her throat. “Yes. Fine.No."

Oh, so all of the above. Got it.

I look around for a table. “Let’s sit.”

“Oh, we don’t have to…”

“Yes, we do.” I steer her to some empty lounge chairs with my hand on her lower back. It’s slightly quieter away from the coffee bar, the ceilings are an exposed, industrial style painted black so the ducts blend in.

She takes a small sip of her drink and lets out a huge sigh.

“Better?” I ask as she settles into the amber coloured leather.

“I didn't have sex with him,” she blurts at the exact same time I take a sip of my still-too-hot drink.

I’m about to tell her that I don’t care who she’s been with but then she continues.

“Or anyone for that matter. I’m a virgin.” She presses her lips tight together like she’s already said too much.

My mouth is full of hot coffeeand I'm going to spit it all over Anna. Grimacing, I swallow it down and gasp for air despite the burn. “I'm sorry, what?”

She crosses her arms over her chest in the same way she did in front of Darren and I absolutely, positively will not stand for her feeling small in my presence. I grasp the leg of her chair and yank it toward me. We're knee to knee now, and I spread my legs so I can scoot her even closer. If we weren't in a crowded coffee shop, I'd drop her right into my lap so she could hear me real good.

“I don’t know what that guy did to you, and you don’t have to tell me, but you should never sleep with someone who won’t do itexactlyhow you want.”

Anna’s eyes are watery, but they have some fire in them again and that’s good enough for me. I try to ignore the way my jeans are getting tighter at the idea of Anna telling me what she wants in bed.

Should have squeezed his hand harder.

“How did you know that he wasn’t…that things didn’t end well between us?”

“It was written all over your face.”

I wonder what she can tell by looking at my face right now. How obvious is it that I’mcrazy about her?

Clearing my throat, I try to get us back on track. “So, you’re a…” Damn, I can barely say it without picturing her laying beneath me. “You’re a virgin?”

She examines a pale pink fingernail.

“Yes.” She rolls her eyes. “Hence my shitty kissing outside my apartment. If you changed your mind about us, about me,” she corrects. “It’s fine.”

“Changed my mind?” I say slowly, trying to figure out what she’s on about.

My mind has been so far from unchangeable it’s not funny.

“Anna, since that kiss, you’re all I can think about. Before I found you here today, I went to your work and tried your house. I came here to apologise for walking away from you like that.” I squeeze her hands, encouraged when she returns the pressure. “I still want your number. If you’ll give it to me.”

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