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“Go. I’m going to head out. I need to take care of a few things before I leave tomorrow but you owe me a friend-date when I get back in town.”
“I know and I promise I’m all yours.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek before hurrying to the counter. After washing my hands and pulling on gloves I let Logan take orders while I began preparing them. Dreeya left about ten minutes later.
An hour after we got the crowd under control they’d settled in for a study session. By seven they were still deep into their study group meeting so I sent Logan home and allowed them an extra hour past closing to finish up. In appreciation for allowing them to stay late, they purchased pre-made snacks and filled the tip jar. I also made a huge dent in a book I had been reading for the past couple days.
By nine they were gone. I locked up and headed home for the night only to be surprised by a visitor when I pulled into my driveway. I wasn’t sure why I recognized him because I had only met the guy once under duress but I noticed him the minute I laid eyes on him sitting on my porch.
His long, jean clad legs were extended while he leaned back on his elbows. He held a device in one hand with the other hanging loosely next to him. Although his jeans were a dark wash instead of black, his upper body was covered in a black Henley and the same leather jacket from a week ago. The man was unfairly handsome and presented like an ad for sexy Black bikers since there was a helmet sitting next to him with leather gloves resting on top.
I pushed back my irritation and approached the small porch that led to my house. He didn’t bother acknowledging me until I was right below him, standing at the first step. He slowly dragged his eyes from my legs up the rest of my body, glaring at my face like me being here was somehow an issue.
It’s my house, buddy.
“You’re late.”
“Late?”
“Yeah, late. Your store closes at seven. It’s a twenty minute drive. He glanced at his phone. “It’s nine twenty-eight.”
“There are so many things wrong with what you just said that I don’t know where to begin but I’ll start with why are you here?”
“I needed a distraction,” he mumbled and I angled my head to the side, watching while he sat up and brought his legs closer. The shift had his feet resting on the step below him and those long legs were no longer fully extended.
“I can give you a list of places to go and things to do which will resolve your need for a distraction but my house is not one of them. Please leave.”
His eyes landed on my face. “Can’t do that but you can invite me in.”
“I could but I won’t. It’s been a really long day. I want food, wine, and to relax. Please leave. You being here is very inappropriate.”
“You’re probably right but…”
“Iamright. We’re not friends or even acquaintances.”
He leaned forward, growling at me, “We’re not, but I saved your ass last week. Whether you know me or not, you know I’m a lot safer than Jordan, don’t you Keiris?”
The way he studied my face, waiting for the smallest sign of a lie, unnerved me. Because he was in my head when the word yes flowed through my mind after his “don’t you, Keiris?”
“A gut feeling only gets you so far but regardless, I don’t want you here, so will you please leave?”
A sinfully slow smile eased onto his face. “You don’t want me here?”
“No.” I locked my arms over my chest and he grinned wider.
“What if I buy dinner?”
So we’re negotiating.
“I can buy my own dinner.”
“I don’t doubt you can but I’m offering. Anything you want, on me.”
“Why are you so pressed about spending time with me?”
“I don’t know. So do we have a deal?”
I must have been caught in a moment of insanity because I considered saying yes.
“Where’s your gun?”
