Page 2 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One
“Sure thing. That all?”
Elliot nods. She tells us our total, and Rhett pulls out his card and swipes silently. As he does, Wren cranes her neck just a little to get a better look at his hand.
“I like your tattoo,” she says, her expression shy. “It’s nice.”
Rhett freezes, his eyes snapping to hers. I doubt he’s intentionally staring at her like he’s trying to scare her, but I think he’s succeeding in doing just that. The man doesn’t know how to be anything but intense.
“What he’s trying to say is thank you,” I tell Wren before slinging my arm around Rhett and guiding him away from the register.
Behind us, Elliot mutters a quick apology before catching up with us. “Where should we sit?”
“How about right here?” I nod to the little bar at the counter. There are three stools—the perfect amount for us. And, as an added bonus, it keeps us close enough that maybe I could strike up a conversation with Wren.
Rhett doesn’t seem too happy about it, but upon further inspection of the shop, he relents. There aren’t really any open tables.
“I’ve got one of the black coffees here,” Wren says before setting it on the counter. “We have more brewing, and it’s almost done, and then the cappuccino will be right up.”
“Take your time,” I tell her. “We’re in no rush.”
While she gets everything ready for the other drinks, I do my best to watch her discreetly. She really is pretty—the kind that makes it hard to look away. God, I don’t want to be a creep, but she seems so nice, too.
Not that it matters,a voice in the back of my head reminds me.
I ignore it.
Sliding the mug in front of Rhett, Elliot says, “For you.”
Rhett frowns. “Ell, you—”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind waiting a few minutes.”
“You’re sure?”
Nodding, Elliot slips a hand onto Rhett’s leg. “Positive.”
I lean forward so I can see Rhett. “He’s tricking you.”
“Tricking me?” Rhett shoots me a disbelieving glance.
“He’s pretending to be nice and let you have it, but really, this way, he wins. He gets fresh coffee instead of stuff that’s been sitting around for a while.”
Raising a brow, Rhett slides his gaze over to Elliot. “That true? You playing me, pretty boy?”
Ell laughs, rolling his eyes and punching me lightly in the arm. “If that’s what you want to think.”
Wren comes over, mug of coffee in hand. “Here’s the other black coffee. Just be careful, it’s extra ho—ohhh!”
As she sets it down, some of the coffee spills over the side. It splashes onto Wren’s hand and the counter. She quickly grabs a towel and starts sopping it up.
“God, I’m so sorry. I’ll top you up in a second, I just want to get this all—”
“Don’t worry about it.” Elliot places his hand over the towel, his fingers brushing against hers. His voice is gentle, reassuring. “I’ve got this.”
She freezes, her gaze fixed on where they’re touching before she meets Elliot’s eyes. “I—um, thank you.”
“You’re all right?” Elliot asks.
“Yeah.” She pulls away and runs her hand under cold water for a second. “Not the first time it’s happened.” She laughs, embarrassment tinging her tone. “Or the last, probably. Did I spill any on you?”
