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“Sorry about running into you.Literally,” he said, emotions too taut to smile back at her, “I didn’t mean to.”
“I guessed as much,” she laughed, “Hey, would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?I always brew a fresh pot while the ovens heat up.”
“Yeah, that’d be nice,” he answered too quickly, but his heart was damn near pounding him to death just being in her presence.
He wasn’t about to walk away.Not yet.Whatever this crazy appeal was, be it animal magnetism or pure physical need, it was certainly worth exploring.
The street was still quiet, though the rest of New York was undoubtedly awake, and he was grateful for it.He did not want anyone to intrude.Didn’t want to deal with the reality of others interrupting the time he had with sweet Noemi Donato.
“Great,” she purred, taking his hand easily in hers, and tugging him towards the door.
Fuck, that sounded good.The delicate rumble of her voice was almost too alluring for words.It sent zings of desire zipping through his veins, straight to his cock, which had already been halfway to a hard-on the second he touched her.
Rami took a moment to simply stare at her while she unlocked the door and punched in the code to the alarm.Her honey-colored hair was wound up in a braided bun at the nape of her neck, secured with a pretty ornamental chopstick or some such thing.
She wore no makeup save a little gloss on her lips, but she didn’t need any in his opinion.Not with skin like that and her unique coloring.Her blue eyes and light brown hair, he would’ve thought her naturally pale or fair-skinned, but Noemi was golden, it seemed, all over.
We should find out for sure, his Lion inserted, but he batted the wily beast down.He wasn’t about to jump the woman at her place of business.
“Come on in,” she said, and he realized he was still standing just outside the door.
“Oh, uh, should I lock this?”
“Yeah.I don’t like to unlock it until after Terrie is here, or six o’clock rolls around, whichever is first.”
“Am I intruding?I don’t want to be a bother-”
“I wouldn’t have offered if you were,” she answered simply.
Rami appreciated her candor.Even more shocking, he believed her too.She had no reason to lie to him.In fact, she seemed to enjoy being near him, and that was a miracle.
Too many times he had tried to date human women, and it never worked out.There was always too much secrecy between them for any relationship between him and a normal to take root.One of the reasons he avoided human women.But she was special.Noemi called to him, to his Lion, like no one ever had.
She moved efficiently, turning on the large drip coffee machine and grinding a fresh cup of beans to put inside.Noemi left the main light off, opting for the one just behind the counter.It left them in a sort of darkness with the slightest glow coming from the bulbs.So soft and pale yellow, it was almost otherworldly.
“I’ll be right back,” she whispered, as if she too thought using her regular voice would have been too obtrusive in that magical quiet place they’d created inside the store.
A small smile teased the corner of her mouth, and she gestured to one of the stools behind the counter.Rami took a seat, listening as she moved about the back room, switching the ovens and fans on.
Saturdays were busy for small shops like this, and he knew D’Angelo’s had steady customers even if business was a bit slow lately.That was cause for concern.Slow business meant she might leave.The thought did not sit well with him.
“Here you are.Cream, no sugar, is that right?”
“How’d you know?”
She shrugged and handed him a large ceramic mug filled with fresh brewed coffee exactly how he liked it.Lucky guess, he figured and took a sip.
“Damn, that is good.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, and sipped from her own similar cup “Any news on the break in?”
“Not yet.I have a few theories though,” he replied easily.
“As long as you didn’t forget about me.I thought maybe you, uh, thought I was a little too forward yesterday afternoon.”
“Actually, that kiss has been haunting me ever since I left here, Noemi.I liked it.”
“Oh, yeah?”Noemi moved closer to him, licking her lips, and tempting the beast within.
