Page 40 of Dangerous Secrets
“Whew.I’m glad you twomade it in before you were drenched.”A tall man sporting a pointedgoatee, wearing a white apron tied around his thin waist, came frombehind the counter carrying a towel.“Here, Delaney, use this todry off.Who’s your friend?”
Rico Cordova stood with his hands onhis hips as Delaney used the towel to dry her bare arms and legsbefore handing it to Walker.
“Rico, this is WalkerMcGrath.”She turned to Walker.“Rico and his partner, Toby, boughtthe bakery about eight months ago.I don’t know what they did tothe recipe for the cinnamon rolls.They used to be decent, nowthey’re decadent.Another big improvement?They upped the qualityof the coffee.”
“Nice to meet you,” Walkersaid.“Coffee sounds good.”
“Our coffee is organic andsustainably sourced from the Acatenango region of Guatemala.Youcan scan the QR code on our menu to access the blockchain and learnhow our beans are managed every step of their journey from theplant to your coffee cup.”
Walker stared at him like he wasspeaking a foreign language and Delaney stifled the laughtertickling her throat.Rico caught the look and smoothly segued.“Which simply means we have the best coffee in town.Doesn’t afreshly baked cinnamon roll and a cup of hot coffee sound sinful ona rainy Saturday?If you two are ready to indulge, have a seat andI’ll bring you out whatever is your preference.”
Walker gave her a slight nod andDelaney replied, “Coffee and cinnamon rolls sound perfect.Thanks,Rico.”
They sat at a table by the window.More people ducked inside to get out of the rain.Several customersshot them curious looks.Walker drummed his fingers on the table,then rose abruptly.“Be right back.”
He went to the counter and spoke toRico.Rico’s gaze darted to her before he nodded.He poured thecoffee and passed Walker capped to-go cups.He crossed to thetable.“We’re getting our order to go.”He handed her a cup, andmoments later Rico brought a white paper bag with the Three SistersBakery logo.They walked out onto the wet boardwalk.
“You want to tell me whatthat was about?”She spoke over the rain that was lessening inintensity.
“Yeah, in a minute.”Handsfull, he nodded toward the alley.“Let’s go.Grafton will be gone.We’ll sit in my truck.”
He ushered her down the alley to theparking lot.He opened the passenger door, shut it firmly after shewas seated with the bag on her lap, then rounded the hood to get inon the driver’s side.
Once he was seated, he leaned back andclosed his eyes briefly, his breath coming from deep inside liketension releasing.“Listen, Laney, I—”
She raised a hand to forestall him.“Cinnamon roll first, lame explanation later.”Rain pattered on theroof and windshield, cocooning them from the storm.The drop intemperature raised goosebumps on her skin.
He reached behind the seat, and thenhanded her a flannel shirt in a dark plaid.Delaney didn’t botherpretending she didn’t want it, and wondered how he always seemed toknow what she needed.
With the welcome warmth around her,she opened the bag and pulled out two boxes with bamboo forks and astack of unbleached napkins.Handing Walker his, she opened the boxon her lap and inhaled the delectable aroma.
The icing had soaked into the swirlsof the cinnamon roll and was so gooey she used her fork to cut offa bite.She closed her eyes and savored the burst of flavor.“Thisis so, so delicious.”Opening her eyes, she found Walker’s gazefixated on her so intently she thought he’d as soon gobble her upas the pastry.Even being more than slightly pissed at him, thatlook had all sorts of crazy sexy thoughts ricocheting around herbrain.
She didn’t fan herself with thenapkin, but she wanted to.After another bite and a sip of superbcoffee, she said, “Now you can explain why we’re sitting in yourtruck instead of inside a very nice bakery with very nicepeople.”
“Too many people areseeing you and me together.”
She paused, her cup halfway to hermouth.“That’s a jerk comment.You don’t want to be seen with me,but apparently don’t mind being with me when no one’s around.Idistinctly remember you kissing me recently for no reason exceptyou seemed to want to kiss me.Do you notice the inconsistency?Because I sure as hell do.”
He gave a humorless laugh.“I thinkwe’ve established what’s between us never went away.So yeah, Ikissed you.I can’t seem to help myself.”The look he gave her didmore to warm her than the flannel shirt ever could.“Don’t forget,you kissed me back.Besides, I like spending time with you, and youlike spending time with me.That’s why you can’t stay away fromme.”
She rolled her eyes.“I see your egois intact.”She forked up another bite of cinnamondeliciousness.
He bit into his own roll, chewingslowly before chasing it down with a swig of coffee.“Good,” hepronounced.He leaned toward her, his gaze riveted on her face.Using his thumb, he wiped the corner of her mouth.“You’ve goticing there,” he murmured, bringing it to his mouth where he lickedit clean.“Tasty.”
She groaned, thinking maybe she shoulduse the seatbelt to strap herself in so she didn’t jump him.“Jeez,Walker.Mixed signals much?You don’t want to be seen with me, butyou turn eating a cinnamon roll into foreplay.”
“Yeah, that’s the problem.Being seen with me is bad for you for several reasons, includingruining your reputation.But it’s hard as hell to stay away whenyou pull at me the way you do.”
He sent a spike of heat through herthat dispelled the last of the rain’s chill, but she focused on thefirst part of his answer and let out a disbelieving laugh.“Ruin myreputation?Are we somehow in Victorian England and I missedit?”
His brows lowered.“I’m not joking,Laney.I’ve been in prison, and having my conviction overturneddoesn’t change that reality.You tangle with me, and people willtreat you differently.”
“Wait a darn minute.Isthat why you’ve been acting like I’m a pain in the ass, because youthink I care what people think?Besides, people know you werewrongfully convicted.”
“People still think of meas an ex-con.”
“So what?We’re supposedto stay away from each other because some people areclosed-minded?”
