“The café,” I lie, taking my seat again. “I got an extra shift.”
The morning sun beams through the café window.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“I’ll have an English breakfast tea with milk, please,” the customer says.
I type it into the computer. “And would you like a scone today, Mrs. Henderson?”
“Yes.” She grins. “You have a good memory.”
“How could I forget you? Take a seat and I’ll bring it out.”
I turn and put the order onto the coffee machine line for Lance, and then I go about getting her scone ready.
I go to the computer and address the next customer. “Can I help you?”
“Double macchiato,” a deep voice says.
I look up and into the stare of Sebastian. He’s wearing a navy suit and a crisp white shirt. His dark hair hangs over his beautiful face, and his lips are a perfect shade of come fuck me. A stupid thrill runs through me before I catch myself.
I look back down at the screen. “Is that everything, sir?”
He stays silent, forcing me to look up.
He raises an eyebrow, and I raise mine back.
“Is. That. Everything. Sir?” I repeat.
He clenches his jaw. “A word? Outside?”
“I’m sorry. I’m very busy. Do you want something with your macchiato or not?”
“Outside, now, or I’ll drag you out. The choice is yours.”
I fake a smile. “I’m not interested in what you have to say, Mr. Garcia.”
“April…” He glares at me. “You have three seconds to get your fucking ass outside before I drag you out there.”
“Go to hell,” I mouth, we glare at each other and that crazy anger bounces between us.
“What is your fucking problem?” he hisses.
I push his order into the computer, becoming a little flustered. “Leave me alone, Sebastian.”
Lance turns toward us.
“I’m just going to steal April for a moment.” Sebastian fakes a smile at Lance. “It’s a matter of urgency. She won’t be a minute”
Lance looks between us. “Okay.”
For God’s sake.
I march out and onto the street with Sebastian hot on my heels. He drags me around the corner into the alleyway.
“What is your fucking problem?” he snaps.
I cross my arms and roll my eyes. “I don’t have a problem.”
“I knew you’d fucking carry on.”
“Carry on?” I whisper angrily. “I’m not the one carrying on here, Sebastian. Go away.”
“It was a blind date that was organized weeks ago.”
“Fuck off. It clearly said she was your partner.”
“And you believe everything in the tabloids?”
“I don’t care, anyway.”
“We’re not together, April.”
“My point exactly.” I move to brush past him, he grabs me by the arm and pulls me back. “Stop it,” I whisper. “You’re too old for me, anyway.”
“Obviously, because it feels like I’m dealing with an errant teenager right now.”
My cheeks heat with embarrassment. He’s right; I am acting like a child, but screw it, I’m angry. I cross my arms in a huff.
“I didn’t touch her,” he says calmly.
I roll my eyes.
“It was a blind date that I didn’t organize. Besides, why would I want to go out with another woman when all I can think about is you?” My eyes meet his, and a trace of a smile crosses his face. “Now, are you finished with your tantrum?”
I twist my lips as I try to hold in my snarky tongue. “You made me feel like shit.”
He pauses for a moment. “I’m sorry.”
He tries to place his hand on my arm but I flick him off.
“You’re no good for me, Sebastian.”
He smiles his first genuine smile. “No shit.”
I tuck my hair behind my ear. “I don’t even care what you do.”
“Are you sure about that?” He steps forward, so he’s only inches from my face.
I drop my gaze to the ground, and he places his finger under my chin and brings my face up to his. “I’m not seeing anyone.”
“It’s none of my business who you see.”
“You’re wrong,” he smiles. “It’s all of your business.”
His lips take mine, and he kisses me with just the right amount of suction, enough to curl my toes. “Come and stay with me tonight.”
My brows furrow. Fuck it, this was not in my game plan.
“I organized this so you don’t have to go to the auction on Thursday night. My bathrooms are being remodeled, and I’m staying at the hotel for a few nights. And Porsha owes me a favor.”
“What does that mean?”
“I drew up the plans for her renovation. She owes me.”
I raise my brow. “I’m the favor?”
He smiles as he rearranges my apron.
“You’re staying above the club all week?” I frown. “Are you going inside?”
He chuckles, grabs the lapels of my shirt, and he drags me to him. “I like this jealousy thing.” His lips dust mine.
“I’m not jealous. I’m just not interested in sloppy seconds.”
He smirks as his eyes hold mine.
“If you want to go inside the club that’s fine, but…” I look down the alleyway as I try to make this sound less loser-ish.
“But?” He kisses me down my neck.
How am I supposed to think when he’s all over me like this? He doesn’t play fair.
“I shouldn’t like you,” I say.
He smiles against my neck. “But you do.”
“Will you stop it?” I step back from him to get some distance. “I just…” God, I’m feeling all needy and territorial. Damn this man.
We’re just fucking, I try to remind myself.
“I don’t like that you go there,” I say.
“I don’t like that you go there.”
“I’ve two more shifts left.”
“One after tonight.”
My gaze drops to the pathway beneath us.
He takes me into his arms. “Come and stay at the club with me.” He kisses my temple. “I’m only going there for you.” He presses his lips to my ear. “Don’t make me beg.”
I give him a stifled smile, my tantrum on the way out. “I’ll think about it.”
“I can order in, we can have cocktails,” he offers to try and sweeten the deal.
My eyes hold his. “What do you even like about me, Sebastian?”
He hesitates as if searching for the right answer and eventually he replies. “You make me forget who I am.”
What does that mean? “What’s wrong with who you are?”
“Everything.”
My heart constricts. “Well, apart from you taking other women to balls and making me crazy jealous, and the small fact that you’re a cranky asshole,” I shrug, “I think you’re kind of wonderful.”
He gives me a slow sexy smile and pushes his hands into his pant pockets. “I’ll see you tonight then?”