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Jeanette looked up at Hunter. “I’m just glad you showed up when you did.”
“Me too. Hell, I think I lost ten years of my life when I saw that asshole holding that gun to your face.”
“I’m surprised the bells over the door didn’t alert him though,” Jake said as he pulled Roni into his side.
“Heck, I didn’t even hear the bells,” Jeanette admitted. “I think my adrenaline was pumping too hard.”
“It’s my guess he’s a junkie in need of a fix. Your coffee shop was probably just convenient,” Dane said as he rubbed Lydia’s arm soothingly.
“That reminds me,” Hunter growled, frowning down at her. “No more leaving the door unlocked after hours.”
Hunter’s protective attitude surprised her. Warmth chased away some of the fear that had assailed her since seeing the gun coming out of the pocket of the hoodie. “I didn’t want you to be locked out. Besides, I wasn’t alone.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll knock next time. And maybe you should consider an alarm system too.” He dipped his head and kissed her. It was fleeting and tender and her heart skipped a beat. Jeanette smiled as she realized what he’d said. Next time, which meant he planned to stick around.
“Okay,” she murmured, unable to resist the gorgeous man.
“Well, I’m beat,” Roni said as she wrapped her arms around Jake’s middle. “It’s been a long night.”
Lydia sighed. “No doubt.” She came over for a hug and soon the three of them were holding each other in a trembling embrace as they said their good-byes. “Call us tomorrow.” Lydia winked. “We still have things to talk about. Remember, sweetie?”
Jeanette nodded, knowing they would want an update on her relationship with Hunter. As Hunter started to open the car door for her, a stray thought struck. “You called me sweetie,” she said to Lydia. “Why does everyone always call me sweetie?”
Lydia laughed. “Because you always smell like caramel.”
“No, it’s vanilla,” Roni corrected her.
Hunter ran his hand down her ponytail and shook his head. “Nope, you’re both wrong. It’s strawberries and cream.”
Jeanette laughed. “One of the perks from owning a coffee shop, I suppose.”
Hunter opened her car door and said, “Come on, sweetness, it’s time to get you home.”
Jeanette nodded. Once they were in the car, Hunter behind the wheel, she remembered he’d been nearly half an hour late for their date. “So, where were you tonight? I was expecting you at eight thirty.”
Hunter reached over the middle console and took her hand, entwining their fingers. “It’s a surprise,” he whispered.
Jeanette’s blood pressure spiked. “For me?”
He grinned. “Of course, for you. Who else?”
Her curiosity piqued now, she asked, “And are you giving me this surprise tonight?”
He nodded as he pulled onto the street leading back to her café. He’d left his motorcycle there when they’d
had to go to the station to write up their statements. Jeanette’s fatigue vanished. Her mind whirled as she imagined what he could possibly surprise her with when they’d only just met.
He drove into the parking lot and Jeanette’s stomach fluttered when she spotted Hunter’s shiny black-and-chrome cycle illuminated by the security lights. It was a powerful, well-built machine. Like its owner.
He parked next to the bike and turned off the engine. “Come on, I left it in the restaurant.”
“You did?” How’d she possibly miss it?
“You were a bit distracted, sweetness,” he said as if reading her mind.
She shuddered at the reminder. Hunter got out of the car and jogged around to her side and helped her out. He took her hand again. He did that a lot, she noticed, and she liked it. They walked to the front door and he handed her the keys. She let them in and Hunter leaned down. “Close your eyes, little love,” he whispered against her ear. Jeanette let her eyes drift shut, her heart doing cartwheels.
He walked her forward when she grabbed onto his arm. “Hunter, you’re driving me crazy.”
