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I sat in the uncomfortable high-back chair stationed at her vintage vanity until the sun rose. After the events of the night, I told myself I stayed because I’d been afraid to leave her alone in case she had nightmares or woke up scared. While that was partially true, I was a selfish bastard and knew this opportunity wouldn’t present itself again. And next time, I might not have the strength to deny myself the pleasure of being in her bedroom.
This morning, I left before she woke up. I feared that seeing her again would weaken my resolve to stay away. That my traitorous dick, instantly hard the moment I was in her presence, would convince me that our kiss last night had not been the mistake I’d pretended it to be.
I had the urge to strangle Jess.
I straightened my spine and slipped on the figurative mask I’d carefully crafted over the years. I never ran. From anything.
Once I reminded Hazel of the cold bastard I was deep down, she’d realize her infatuation with me was misplaced and find someone else.
A growl escaped my mouth at the thought of some other fucking guy putting his hands on my girl. I dropped back to stare at the blue sky above and counted to five. I had to shove this shit down so far it could never resurface. Hazel was not, and never could be, my girl.
With one last inhale, I schooled my face into a neutral expression and pushed open the bakery door again. This time, I didn’t hesitate before I strode to the table, exuding confidence in every step.
I raised an eyebrow. “Jess.”
She glared at me, my first indication that she knew what happened last night. Then came the second. “Dickhead.”
I shifted my attention to Hazel, ignoring Jess’s dig. It was best not to engage when she was like this. Hazel’s pale cheeks flamed fire engine red. Her teeth bit her rosy plump bottom lip, and I remembered how soft her mouth was against mine. Now that I’d tasted her sweetness, I wanted more.
I tightened each muscle in my body, forcing myself not to react to the desire raging through me. I resisted the urge to lick my way up to the pulse wildly beating in her neck.
“Hazel,” I said, proud of the steadiness of my voice. “I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon.” The last comment was also indirectly for Jess.
“Same,” Hazel muttered, ripping her gaze away from me. Immediately I felt the loss.
She reached for her coffee, a jerky movement, knocking into the cup. As it tottered for a second, Hazel’s green eyes widened. She tried to grab it, but it was too late. The to-go cup fell over with a soft thud, and the top popped off. Coffee splashed up like lava exploding from a volcano, spilling all over the table and my pants.
I looked down in shock as the hot liquid burned my upper thighs.
“No, no, no, no,” Hazel whispered as she snatched up the napkins on the table. She threw a wad down, trying to mop up the spill before dabbing at my legs with the same soggy mess of napkins. The stain on my pants spread with her movement, and my dick pushed hard at my zipper.
Her face was so close to my crotch that there was no way she missed it. Hazel’s sharp gasp told me that I was right. She jerked back in her seat, her flushed face darting nervously around the room.
“Hazel—” I started.
“Napkins. We need more napkins.” She shot up, and hurried to the bakery counter, her luscious curvy backside swayed beneath her tan slacks with each step.
On the other hand, Jess was bent at the waist, one arm clutching her stomach, as she laughed uproariously like the deranged lunatic I knew her to be.
“I hope you’re satisfied,” I growled at her.
“In ways you can’t even imagine. You are so screwed.”
“I have no idea what you’re blathering about.” My harsh retort only made her laugh louder.
Hazel hurried back to us. She threw a towel on the table before shoving one into my hands. “I’m so sorry, Jareth. I don’t know what got into me. Your poor pants. The coffee will stain, and knowing you, they’re worth more than that Michael Kors weekender bag I’ve had my eye on. If you hand over your pants, I’ll get them dry-cleaned immediately.”
I raised an eyebrow, effectively stopping her tirade.
Her mouth dropped into the most enticing ‘O.’ “I mean, not now. I’ll get them from you tomorrow.” She snapped her mouth shut, then let her chin drop to her chest.
Taking pity on her and against my better judgment, I laid my palm on her shoulder. Electricity zipped through me at the slight touch, and I gritted my teeth. After a few awkward pats, I let my hand drop. I wasn’t used to consoling someone. “It’s fine.”
Jess swiped at the mess on the table and then the floor once I stepped back.
Hazel let out a weary sigh that made me want to wrap my arms around her. “I’m going to go. It was nice to see you, Jess. And, um, you too, Jareth.”
Before Jess or I could say another word, Hazel had grabbed her purse and darted out the door. The jangle of the bells mocked me, telling me, without words, how badly I’d screwed up that entire encounter.
