Page 53 of Love Bank
“Hey, Lucille. I heard you had quite the day yesterday.” Lukas gestured us up to the counter. Apparently we were next in line and everyone wanted the gossip straight from the horse’s mouth. I clamped my jaw shut and willed myself not to bray like a horse.
Use that filter, Lucille.
“Yes, I definitely did. But all’s well that ends well, right?”
“Well, you two are practically heroes, so breakfast is on the house today. The usual?” Lukas glanced at Bain after I gave him the go-ahead nod.
“Actually, just a plain bagel with cream cheese today. Black coffee.”
“No onion bagel? You sure?” Lukas’s confusion at anyone changing their usual order was comical.
If I wasn’t mistaken, Bain’s face turned a tad red.
“Nope. Plain. Thank you.” Bain could have been ordering an inmate to clean the urinal with all the warmth in his voice.
We shifted to the side to wait for our orders. I eyed Bain, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“You okay there? Onion bagel debacle got you flustered?”
Bain rubbed the back of his neck and winced. “Just forgot how small towns are all up in your business.” He leaned in close and finally looked me in the eye, just an inch or two of space separating us. “I might be kissing someone later and onion bagels don’t really fit in with that plan.”
An illicit thrill rushed through my body.
Bain intended to kiss me.
We most certainly weren’t done with each other.
* * *
I spent the rest of my day trying to dive into work to keep my mind off of Bain, then getting interrupted by concerned citizens who “just happened to drop by to say hello” when what they really wanted was the skinny on yesterday’s disturbance. Poppy alone, didn’t leave for over twenty minutes, putting her behind on her route, but I was the only one who seemed to care.
Between all the craziness, I checked my phone like those seagulls eyed my food, all beady-eyed and whacked out on caffeine overdose, waiting to hear from Bain about his call with the mayor.
Around four o’clock, my obsessing paid off when my phone dinged while I was using the restroom in the back of the clinic. Normally, I don’t take my phone into the bathroom. Really, I don’t.
Bain:Not fired. Wanna celebrate at my place tonight after work? I’ll stop by the clinic and you can follow me home.
I couldn’t contain the squeal of excitement. I pulled up my underwear, the only other sexy pair I owned, and smoothed down my skirt.
“You okay in there, Lucille?” Keva called from the other side of the door.
I cringed. Squealing while by yourself in a bathroom in a spank bank was a little on the skeevy side, even for me, the owner who walked in on a client in the process of donating.
“Just fine! My favorite needlepoint pattern just went on sale.” I shook my head at myself and my weak explanation. I flipped on the water at the sink and washed my hands, hoping she’d go away.
My heart was pounding again. Help him celebrate? Did he mean more sex? Because I was totally up for that. I had time to ruminate over our encounter last night and today. He showed me missionary and doggie style, if my quickly Googled searches were correct. My search also revealed quite a bit more in terms of positioning. Perhaps I could ask for further experimentation.
I stepped out of the bathroom and almost jumped a foot in the air. Keva stood there, a serene smile on her face as she waited for me.
“Sorry to hang out by the bathroom, but I’m just worried about you. You know, after yesterday.”
We walked back down the hallway together, headed back to the front lobby. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. She was sweet. So concerned for my potentially fragile mental state when all I could think about was how to get Bain to agree to more sex.
“I’m doing just fine. I promise. In fact, I propose you head out of here early since we’re done with clients and I’ll be right behind you.”
She wrinkled that adorable face, looking younger than her eighteen years. “Are you sure? I can stay.”
“No, no. You go home. I know you’ve had quite a day juggling gossip mongers and actual clients. I’ll be leaving in just a couple minutes too.” I needed her out of here before Bain arrived and escorted me back to his place. I could only imagine how fast the gossip would travel if someone saw us going to his house together.
