Page 72 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

The bellchimedand Channing glanced over his shoulder. He sucked a breath into his parched lungs. Sadie appeared as if he’d fabricated her from his mind. His chest filled with anticipation until he saw that she wasn’t alone. The tall man with a Florida tan had his hand situated on her lower back, whispering something in her ear that made her smile. The sun rays flowed in through the large window and created a halo-like backlight around her head. Her cheeks were glowing, and she looked beautiful. An irritation climbed up Channing’s spine. Hell, where did all the feelings come from?

Bad mistake to allow himself to feel anything.

And yet, he wanted to stomp over, introduce himself, and demand answers.

Oh shit.

When had Channing gotten to the place of jealousy?

“Who’s that?” He elbowed Keef.

“Hell if I know. He looks like he stepped off the cover of one of those fitness magazines.”

“Damon,” Channing snarled. He remembered Sadie mentioning the man at the cabin. This had to be him.

She didn’t see Channing. Not right away.

He watched her sashay toward a corner booth, said something to the tanned man, then made her way toward the counter. The moment she saw him several expressions flittered over her pretty features before she gave him a semi-wave, but when she spotted Keef, she turned away. “Can I get one of those muffins, May?”

“Sure thing, honey. Which one do you want? Chocolate chip or blueberry?”

“I’ll take blueberry.” She tucked a strand of her hair back into the messy bun, exposing her flushed cheeks.

So why are her cheeks flushed?

Channing shot a glance at the man sitting in the booth who was busily scrolling through his phone. A wide grin popped out over his GQ looks.

“Damn. Is it me or is she looking better than ever?” Keef whispered. “That’s one woman I’d burn my black book for.”

“May or Sadie?” Channing wasn’t sure why he suddenly had another case of heartburn.

Keef laughed and shook his head. “May can hold her own in looks, but I was referring to Sadie. She’s the perfect woman. A seamless combination of firecracker and brains. And beautiful. Successful. I bet she gives the best massages too.”

Channing cleared his throat and thrummed his fingers on the worn counter in restless energy, watching Sadie lift on her tiptoes to examine the collection of confections in the glass case. The act pushed out her voluptuous, rounded bottom that even the loose-fitting pants couldn’t hide.

Not but three hours ago he’d had his face buried between her thighs and her taste still lingered on his tastebuds.

His zipper painfully stretched.

“What I wouldn’t give for one chance,” Keef’s comment drew Channing’s attention.

He didn’t much appreciate the way his buddy had his slimy gaze on her ass.

Channing rubbed his tight, whiskered jaw. He didn’t own her, or have any rights to her, but he did respect her.

And he liked her a lot.

“Dream on, Keef. She’d never be with a man like you.”Because she’s with me.At least for now. That could change any minute considering she seemed happy with tall, dark and handsome in the booth.

She told May, “Pack the muffin up to-go and Damon and I will take our coffee for here.”

“Extra cream?”

“In mine. He likes his black.”

So, Channing was right. Her companion was the yoga-sexuality guy.

Hmph.

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