Page 19 of Tempted Away

Two mugs of coffee and one dirty look from Shelley later, Kallan’s seated behind the counter, watching me as I turn his mug so the arrow in the foam is pointing at me.

“It’s an arrow, in case you forget again where my store is,” I answer his brow lift.

The smile on his lips is just a flick of a thing, but it lingers longer in his eyes while he picks up his mug and takes a sip.

Leaning on the counter, I set my chin in my hand and take him in. I don’t usually let my curiosity get the better of me, but with him, I can’t help it. I don’t know what it is about him, but he looks like a man with a story to tell, and for some reason, I want to hear whatever that story is.

“What?” he says, licking off the bit of foam stuck to his top lip.

“Do you live around here?”

He nods. “Over by Lake Hanson.”

“It’s beautiful out there.” I sigh, remembering the time last year we did one of the hiking trails out there.

“And quiet,” he says, taking another sip of his coffee.

“It’s weird that I’ve never seen you around.” I would have remembered if I did. Kallan isn’t the type of guy that blends into the crowd.

“I don’t shop much. When I have to, I usually go to the mall. A quick in and out.”

I try to bite back a smile to hide the dirty place my mind just went to, but judging by the little quirk of his lips, I’ve failed. Our eyes connect, and my stomach gives a little flip, a spark of electricity sizzling in the air between us. Straightening, I clear my throat, dragging my eyes from his and dropping them to his hands. What the hell was that? I take a deep breath, trying to regain my composure.

“You don’t like crowded places?” I say, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.

“Can’t say I’m a fan.”

Exhaling harshly, he gets up, and my heart falls at the carefully blank look on his face.

“Best I get back. Andrew’s bound to send out a search party for me soon.”

I nod, unable to muster up a response, and watch his retreating back.

*****

It’s late when I lock up. Today’s been busy, and I’m tired, but I’m not relishing the idea of going home to an empty apartment yet again. I need to see Quinn, to look into his eyes and feel his arms around me. I need him to rid me of the turmoil that’s been racing through my mind all afternoon. The attraction I felt towards Kallan has put me on edge, and while I know there’s nothing wrong with finding other people attractive, this felt different. I can’t remember ever feeling such an intense attraction to anyone. Not even Quinn. What we have is a love that was born in friendship and familiarity and slowly developed over the years. He wasn’t someone I spotted in a crowd that took my breath away. My love for him has just always been there. So this is wrong. My heart shouldn’t give a lurch when wondering what Kallan’s kiss would feel like. Wondering what his lips would feel like. Would they be soft and coaxing, or would they move with intensity? Would the kiss be deep and hungry or slow and sensual?

I know he felt it, too. I saw it in the heat in his eyes when he looked at me. Even now, hours later, it sends a shiver down my spine. And then there was the way he clenched his cup, his knuckles stark against the purple. The fact that he also felt it makes it even more wrong somehow.

I yelp when a hand lands on my shoulder, whirling around to find the object of my musings standing behind me.

“Gosh, you scared me,” I say, placing my hand over my racing heart.

“Sorry.” His hand drops from my shoulder, the quirk of his lips somehow conveying sheepishness. “In my defense, I called your name a few times.”

Realizing I’ve been staring unseeing at the darkness of my store, fantasizing about kissing him, I’m suddenly overcome with shyness. I look away, embarrassment heating my cheeks.

“Uh, sorry, my mind was miles away.”

“Penny for your thoughts?”

I shake my head so hard I have a feeling I’ll need to wear a neck brace tomorrow. “It’s nothing. Just business.”

Nodding, he gives me a searching look, a corner of his mouth curling upwards. “Are you on your way home?”

I nod, grateful for the change of subject. “Yes, finally. It felt like today would never end.”

“Where’s your car?” he says, looking at the mostly deserted street.

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