Alana pointed out little quirky shops, with a story to tell for each one. She captivated him, and he found himself drawn into her world. He’d walked the neighborhood quite a few times, but hadn’t really seen it until now.
“Here’s the best coffee shop around. And Peggy’s danishes are to die for,” Alana gushed.
London took in the scents flowing around them, and his stomach rumbled.
“You had me at best coffee shop.” Placing his hand at the curve of her back, he grabbed the door handle and moved aside for her to enter.
“Thank you,” she murmured, walking past him. Following her in, he kept his hand in place.
The small touch fed his craving for her.
A satisfying feeling spread throughout his chest when she didn’t move away from him. Her floral scent was now masked by the sweet smells of the baked goods.
But he’d memorized the perfume.
He wanted to know what it was so he could potentially buy stock in it.
“Alana!” a voice called out.
“Hey, Peggy!” Alana waved excitedly as they walked up to the counter.
“And who is this with you?” the older woman inquired, arching her brow at Alana.
A shyness came over Alana. It must have been his ancient caveman ancestors that made him want to pound on his chest with the knowledge that she didn’t bring other men to the shop.
Laughing nervously, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Peggy, this is my neighbor, London. London, this is Peggy, the woman who owns this marvelous shop. One taste of her danishes and you’ll be hooked.”
“How are you?”
He held back a chuckle as the woman blushed.
“I’m doing well. What can I get ya’ll?”
“How about you order for me?” he asked, turning to Alana. Her eyes grew wide behind her glasses.
“Really?”
“Surprise me.”
She ordered two coffees. To him, it sounded like she was speaking in a foreign language. His usual order was just black, but he wanted to see what type of drink and food she would pick out for them.
“Your total is twenty-one dollars even,” Peggy announced.
“I got this—”
“Not gonna happen,” he said, pulling out his wallet after gently pushing her away from the counter.
“Hey,” she scoffed, trying to push him to the side, but he stood firm.
“Nope. My treat.”
He handed Peggy his credit card as she laughed at Alana’s antics of trying to get around him.
Wrapping his arm around her waist, he pulled her to his side.
“You don’t have to pay for me,” she breathed, staring up at him.
It didn’t get past him that she hadn’t moved from his side. He slid his arm up her back and rested it along her shoulders.
“I want to. Plus, you cooked dinner last night.” He turned to find Peggy with a shit-eating grin on her face. “I can pick up the tab for breakfast this morning.”
“Sign here, son.” She turned her attention to Alana. “You cooked him dinner, huh?”
“I was repaying him for his help,” Alana advised through a long, exaggerated sigh.
“She cooked lasagna,” he bragged. Peggy’s eyebrows shot up even farther. “It was the best fucking lasagna I’ve had in years.”
“I was already making it, and I offered him some for helping me out,” Alana explained.
“Let’s see here if I can sign with my left hand,” he muttered, not planning to release Alana to do it.
Giggling, she rested her hand on his chest. “Boy, you can let me go now.”
“No way. I like you just where you are.” He took the pen and scribbled where his name was to go. “See? I signed for it.”
“Give me about another minute or so to get your food ready.”
Laughing, Peggy turned away.
London looked around the establishment and found a few people on their phones or laptops, ignoring everything going on around them.
“Why don’t I snag a table and you grab our order?” she suggested, her smile slowly disappearing from her face. His gaze dropped down to her plump lips. He’d give his left nut to taste them right now.
“That’s fine.”
Releasing her, he immediately missed the feeling of her pressed up against him. If he held on to her any longer, he couldn’t promise he’d behave.
Alana sat down at her favorite booth in Peggy’s store, where it allowed her to have a view of the city, and she could people watch. She placed her bag on the bench beside her.
Glancing up, she met London’s steady gaze and waved.
She had been shocked and nervous when he’d asked if he could tag along with her. She hadn’t known what to think.
Him grabbing her and keeping her flush at his side sent her body into a frenzy.
What was that all about?
Her body had just about gone up in flames. Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. One look at Peggy’s grin, Alana knew she’d have to explain who Mr. Hotness really was.
“Here we go,” London drawled, setting their food and cups on the table. Her breath caught in her throat at the sound of his Southern drawl. She tried to curb her facial expressions, not wanting to look like a lovestruck fool.
“Thanks.”
She watched him take the seat across from her. His eye color was unusual, captivating her. She couldn’t look away from them.
“What kind of drinks did you order us?”
Alana blinked. Her cheeks warmed at being caught staring at him. Tucking her hair behind her ear, she motioned to their cups.
“Take a sip and tell me what you think.”
Alana waited with bated breath as he sipped the coffee. She’d ordered him the same thing she always got—an Americano, heavy cream, sugar free vanilla, with a few packets of stevia.
She got an espresso—sweetness, with no hint of carbs.
Alana had a sweet tooth, and in her mind, she balanced her meal with this drink and a danish.
Best of both worlds.
“Wow.” He gave her an approving nod. “That is good. Not too sweet, but smooth.”
“Glad you enjoy it. I order it every time I come here.”
Taking a sip of her espresso, she sighed when the flavor coated her tongue.
“You come here often?” London asked. Leaning back, he watched her tear off a piece of the danish and put it into her mouth. His eyes darkened, his gaze settling on her lips.
She ran her tongue along her lips to clean off the stickiness of the glaze.
London picked up his identical danish and took a healthy bite. His eyes widened, and he took another bite before setting it down on the tray.
“This is dangerous.”
Alana laughed. She had the same thoughts when she first stumbled upon the 216 Beans cafe.
“Exactly. This is why I need to work out. I’ve gained fifteen pounds since I moved downtown. All these danishes have gone straight to my hips.”
“Hmm…” London murmured, causing her to shift uncomfortably in her chair. She wasn’t sure what he saw when he looked at her. Unconsciously, she pushed her glasses higher on her nose.
Last night…
She was sure he was going to kiss her, but she had chickened out by proclaiming it was late. Alana wasn’t sure if she was brave enough to cross that line yet. She wasn’t like those other women who came and went from his place.