Page 2 of Obsession on Repeat
"It’s all in the timing."
He watched me work, his presence possessing a quiet confidence. He appeared to be the type of guy who didn’t need to try to be noticed. Golden boy, through and through.
"Maybe you’ll let me buy you a drink after this?"
The question was one I had heard a million times over, but I couldn’t help smiling at him. "I’m on the clock!" I pointed to the large clock above the bar, the numbers lit up in neon lights that informed anyone capable of still reading that it was almost two in the morning. "We close at three! You’ll have to ask me again later!"
Smirking, Sullivan stepped forward to gaze down at all the buttons on the turner, eyeing them curiously. "How does this work?"
"Two switchboards." I leaned in to rest my mouth next to his ear and inched up on my toes, my chin on his shoulder. "You follow the tempo, and you can make it faster or slower. When the song is done, you lower the knob to flow into the next song!" I lowered my weight flat on my feet. "Want to give it a shot?"
"Show me."
I tilted my head back against his shoulder to catch his gaze. Grinning, I grabbed his hands and pulled his arms around my waist, shifting him forward to reach the knobs. The song changed, the tempo now slow and alluring. The crowd went wild. Heavy bass flowed easily through the speakers as couples started to bump and grind to the naughty lyrics. I shifted him closer, so he could adjust the knobs, the tempo picking up.
My grin deepened when I felt him place a hand on my hip, his other hand hovering over the knobs.
"How am I doing?"
"You’re a natural."
"You’re a very cruel person."
I glanced up from my half-empty coffee cup to see Alice sliding onto a stool beside me. "Is that supposed to mortally wound me?"
"You’ll survive. You know," she continued, "most girls wouldn’t complain about a hot actor hanging around their booth."
"He was a customer."
"He flirted. You flirted back. That’s not customer service, babe. I call that chemistry."
Grunting, I downed the rest of my coffee, crumpling up the small cup, and chucked it into the trash can behind the bar. "I need more coffee, preferably something better than this shit Danny orders."
Alice jumped off the stool to scramble after me, trailing closely behind me to the front door. "You can’t avoid Sullivan forever. You’re not that rude. Besides, he knows where you work."
"I’m not avoiding him." I slid my sunglasses on, the weight of the messenger bag on my shoulder grounding me. "I’ve got my own shit to handle. He's a celebrity only in town for a minute. He'll be gone before I can blink."
"No offense, but when have you ever taken the high road when it comes to a hot guy?"
"The answer is never, but this isn’t the high road." I shoved the club door open. "I’m taking the easiest one."
The owner of the coffee shop greeted me loudly before the front door shut. I slid my sunglasses onto the top of my head, the plastic resting against the high ballerina-style bun I magically manifested my hair into that morning. I laughed at the sight of him already preparing my drink. "How’s it going, Ricky?"
"Things are great! You’re looking nice as always!"
Smiling, I leaned against the counter. I glanced at my plain gray tee shirt and ripped jeans, my plain black flip flops sticking out from the frayed edges. "Thanks. Today’s fashion is brought to you by thrift stores near my apartment."
He slid a cup of hazelnut-flavored coffee toward me and chuckled when I took a sip with my eyes closed, a small sigh of satisfaction escaping me. "For that reaction, it’s free today."
"You’re awesome, Ricky."
The doorbell to the shop chimed to signal the arrival of another customer, but I didn’t pause to look, taking several more sips. I finally turned my attention to see who had entered and almost choked on the hot liquid. Sullivan stepped inside the doorway, sunglasses tucked into the front of his crisp button-up, his hair perfectly undone.
"Mr. Masters, good afternoon! It’s good to see you again," Ricky greeted him. "I’ll have your order coming right up."
I cocked an eyebrow as Sullivan approached me. "He knows your order?"
"I’m addicted to coffee, what can I say?" He glanced at my cup. "Have you already paid? You did say you’d let me buy you a drink."
