Page 15 of Suddenly Desired
“Would you rather I’d posted it?” His voice was so deep it reverberated across the table.
Ellie’s eyes looked heavy as she replied with a quick shake of her head.
“Good,” he went on, his chest a tight band. “I’m know I’m pretty antisocial when it comes down to it, but I felt I had a civic duty to return it in person.”
“I’m glad,” she whispered.
The way she was looking at him made Blake want to leap over the table and devour her. He shifted in his seat, trying to release some of his pent-up tension. He could actually hear his pulse in his ears, racing into overdrive. What was wrong with him?
“Here you go,” said the barmaid, appearing with a tray and breaking some of the tension.
She set down a tiny espresso in front of Blake and a towering mocha latte, complete with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles, in front of Ellie.
“Can I get you guys anything else?” she asked, her gaze lingering on Blake like she was trying to place him.
“Not for me, thanks,” he replied, offering a polite smile and secretly hoping she wouldn’t connect the dots.
“I’ve got everything I need,” said Ellie. “Thank you.”
“No worries.” The barmaid gave Blake another curious glance before retreating to the bar.
Ellie scooped a dollop of whipped cream on to her finger and licked it off without a second thought, leaving Blake wheezing into his espresso. There was a tiny dot of cream left lingering on the corner of her mouth and Blake’s eyes strayed to her lips. He forced himself to look away before his thoughts strayed again too.
“Is this your regular spot, then?” he said, trying and failing to keep the croak from his voice. “It’s got a good vibe.”
Ellie shook her head, dipping her finger in for another swipe of cream. Blake wanted to reach across and grab her hand, to draw it to his own lips and suck the cream himself. He could barely breathe, yet, looking at how sweet she was being, he knew Ellie had no idea the effect she was having on him.
“Not really,” she replied to the question he’d totally forgotten he’d asked. “Sometimes my boss, Lissa, and I come here after work. It’s close, it’s quiet and no one really bothers us. I’m not big on crowds.”
“Same,” he agreed. “Why surround yourself with a hundred people when you only really need one good one?”
Ellie paused, her lips twitching upwards. “True.” She dipped her spoon in her drink and scooped up more cream. Looking sheepish, she added, ”Sorry, it’s been a long day. I need the sugar hit.”
“Hey—” he held up his hands — “you never have to apologise to me for eating what you like. You’re talking to a helpless brownie addict here.”
“Yeah, sure.” She glanced at his chest and arms, her eyebrow raising. “I can tell.”
“I have to work it off,” he said, laughing. “But it’s worth it.”
“My boyfriend,” she said, and his stomach almost twisted into a knot. For a second the room went darker, and the feeling of dread that gripped him took him by surprise. Ellie shook her head, staring at her drink. “Not my boyfriend. Myex. He always told me I drank too much coffee and ate too much sugar. He said I needed to watch my figure more. Apologising for it is an old habit.”
Blake’s jaw tightened, a flicker of anger igniting in his chest.What a jerk.
“Well, in my opinion, chocolate sprinkles are too good to refuse,” he said lightly, trying to lift the mood.
“Exactly!” Ellie’s eyes lit up again. She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips, catching the errant cream, sending a ripple of heat through Blake. “You want some?”
When she looked at him her eyes were all pupil.
“Sure,” he croaked, and she pushed the cup across the table.
He dipped his teaspoon into what was left of the whipped cream and sprinkles and slid it into his mouth, savouring the sweet, velvety taste. Chocolate really was one of his weaknesses. Along with Ellie, it would seem.
“Good, right?” she said, grinning.
“Really good,” he replied. “My espresso seems massively disappointing after that.”
“Way too serious,” she said. “Do you want one of these?”
