Page 23 of The Air You Breathe

“Here is the ice pack and this should help too,” I said, grabbing a water bottle and showing him the pills I had in my hand.

“Fuck, thanks Darcy.” The way he said my name was like a caress. I know it wasn’t anything remotely sexual but it gave me butterflies. He was a man who didn't say much but when he did with that deep raspy voice of his, it always did something to me.

He grabbed the pills and popped them into his mouth while he took a long drink of water. I watched his tattoos and the cords of muscle move as he drank the water, thinking he had a sexy neck.

Could necks even be sexy because Dev’s was hot.

I looked away quickly before he could catch me staring. “What can I get you?” I asked wiping the counter again.

He wiped a few droplets of water by his mouth with the back of his hand as he looked at the menu. “Uh… I don’t remember the name of the drink, but you made it for me two weeks ago. I think it had cinnamon in it.”

I bit my lip as I thought about what I had made him. “Oh! I made you a brown sugar and cinnamon latte,” I said, catching him staring at my lips.

“That sounds good.” He looked away quickly. “I also wanted a variety of pastries. Maybe a dozen?”

“Ok, anything in particular?” I asked, as I got to work making his coffee.

“At least two scones, please and the rest can be whatever,” he said, before finishing the water bottle I had given him.

I set his coffee down in front of him, glancing at him but we caught each other's eyes. My cheeks felt warm from his intense and gorgeous gaze.

“Do you also have small pastries that look like sandwiches? They come in different colors?” he asked, looking embarrassed.

“Macarons?”

“Yes. My niece loves those, and I’ll be seeing her tonight,” he said, giving me a nod.

“Yeah, I think we have some in the back. Any specific flavors?” I asked.

“Surprise me,” he said, picking up his coffee and taking a sip. I stared as he licked his lips before I headed to the back.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Why was every little action he did so sexual to me? I know I found him attractive, but I felt like I hadn’t gotten laid in weeks, even though Evan did leave me more than satisfied.

Mary stared at me with raised brows as I just stood there. I gave her a sheepish smile before I opened a small box and filled it with macarons. Grabbing another box for the pastries and taking a deep breath before I walked out to Dev. He was drinking his coffee as I looked through the pastries, deciding what to get him.

“Is there a special occasion tonight?” I asked, grabbing the scones.

“Dinner with Ava, my brother and his family,” he said, taking another sip of his coffee.

“That sounds nice,” I said, realizing I really didn’t know much about Dev. He only ever had Ava with him and I knew his mom because of Mary but I had never once heard about his brother, much less his niece. I grabbed the last few pastries and put the box next to the macarons.

“This is really delicious, Darcy,” he said, pulling out his wallet.

“Thanks, it's one of my favorites.” I couldn’t help the blush that surfaced with his cerulean gaze that kept studying my mouth.

“Thanks for sharing your favorite drink with me,” he said, laying down money while he grabbed the boxes and coffee.

“Uh, you’re welcome,” I said, watching him leave.

“I’ll see you soon.” He said it like it was a promise, pushing the door with his back. He left me speechless. I didn’t know what was happening but for once I felt giddy at the prospect of something new and different. There was also that little voice in my head reminding me who his father might be. He didn’t seem like his father but being tied to that man was almost enough for me to stop whatever was happening.

The door to the kitchen swung open. Mary leaned against the door frame, holding the door opened. “Well, now I know what to get you for your birthday. I’ll make sure I put a bow on him before I deliver him.” Mary cackled going back to work.

I smiled, shaking my head at her brand of craziness but I didn’t think I would be disappointed with that present one bit.

10

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