Page 35 of Property of Chaos

“Already had a black coffee before we left home,” he explains. “This one’s just for fun.”

I can’t help but smile at his playfulness. The older customers are by far my favorite. They’re much more approachable than the younger clientele, always with a story or a joke.

Chaos sips his coffee at the end of the counter, watching the exchange, before turning for the annex.

I shrug when Theresa looks my way questioningly as she passes through to the back room. What else is he going to do? Hold his takeout cup while riding his motorcycle? I guess he could take a walk elsewhere, but I get the feeling the coffee wasn’t the main reason for his stop here.

“Do you think we could have a couple of the biscuits warmed up to take with us?” Penny asks, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Sure.” I ring up their order. “Butter?”

“Of course.” Graham smiles again.

I finish the transaction and then retrieve two glazed mugs for the couple, stealing a peek into the annex as I do. My body tingles, although refreshingly not from anxiety. Chaos sits at the same table as they did the other day, a pen in his hand and head bent low over none other than my fucking journal.

I idly slide the cups where I need them and pack the grounds, stealing another glance in his direction when I retrieve the milk.

He chews on the end of the pen and then scribbles something in the margin before lifting his head and meeting my gaze.

I lift my chin, a small smile playing across my lips.What are you up to?

His gaze narrows, head dropping to study me from beneath a stern brow.

A thrill rushes through me, the man capable of making me feel fucking naked with a look alone. Skin on fucking fire, I turn back to Graham and Penny’s order and quickly get caught up in the growing stream of morning traffic as the regulars stop by on their way to work. The broody biker slips from my thoughts until I turn to set two lattes on top of the cabinet for collection and come face-to-face with perfection.

Chaos stands beside the swing door, thumbs hooked in his pockets.How long was he watching me?I notice for the first time the badge stitched to his chest: President.Huh.

I lift an eyebrow.Doyou need something?

“Appreciate the coffee.” His gaze slides down my fit, slow and careful like a lover’s touch. I shiver, which seems to please him, considering he smirks, leaning forward to whisper, “You look better in just a T-shirt.”

“I’d look better in yours.”Where the fuck did that come from?

That padded cell is looking more and more likely by the minute.

Chaos’s eyebrows shoot up. “You think?” He shifts his arms to fold them over his chest, the lines of muscle in his forearms tempting enough to trace with my goddamn tongue.

Heart threatening to catapult itself out of my chest, I tip my head. “Pity you’ll never find out.”

How long has it been since I got laid?I mean, I masturbate. Also haven’t charged my vibrator in an age, but the fucking thing does the job fine enough without power. But since I had a real life dick? Months maybe? Surely.It can’t be more than a year.No way.

The troublemaker’s lips split in a breathtaking grin. “Don’t be so sure.” His attention darts across the room, marking Theresa’s location before Chaos’s hungry gaze shifts from my mouth to my eyes. “I’ll see you tonight,Vanessa.”

FOURTEEN

CHAOS

Vanessa.I repeat the enigma’s name in my head over and fucking over, tongue tingling as it twitches inside my mouth, itching to speak the word aloud. I didn’t plan to stop at the cafe. But Selena gave that much fucking hell getting her ass to school that a part of me longed for a glimpse at her-who-makes-me-feel-good—if only for a second.

I parked up, intent on stealing a single look at our soon-to-be neighbor through the window before fucking off further down the street. But there she was, doubled over as though in pain, and there was no goddamn way I could leave her like that.

I had to know. I needed to see.

I wondered what she’d do.

“What you got there?” Jinx nods toward the journal that may as well be glued to my hand.

I slap it face down on the meeting table. “Research.”

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